I am totally sick this week. I have got the worst cold. My father's hovering over me saying "are you sure you don't have H1N1? What are the symptoms for pneumonia?" I am really sick. I don't think I've been this sick for 10 years. I can't breathe, my lungs are like 2 over-inflated balloons, I am so sick I can hardly smoke - which for those who no know me - is a big deal.
So blog posting is tenuous. But last night HRM City Council passed the motion to approve Homeward Bound City Pound as the new shelter for the city. And they did it with a complete love in before the vote. I dvr'd it and watched it tonight. If I'm feeling better I may tape it and put it on you-tube so that people can watch it so that in 6 months when things are going down the tubes and everyone's complaining about how bad things have gotten we can look back and say - "this is how much the city loved them at the beginning".
Some of the questions the councillors raised at council last night were - "what was their no kill policy" - and the answer was - "they do have one, and they will have an animal behaviourist on staff" - which is a good thing. David Hendsbee was of course a proper arsehole and brought up Brindi and said that he hoped this would help Brindi to be free soon - which had nothing to do with anything - and caused his microphone to be turned off immediately. He also brought up the question though of long term incarceration plans for dogs - and the new company does have one - they will be kept off-site in the country in a "fairy placed where they will be able to run and scamp and live free and happy and fancy free". So because of all of this - the motion was passed unanimously.
Today, Halifax news net published an article that was quite interesting -
Animal shelter to change hands
Halifax Regional Municipality will have a new pound starting April 1.
HRM council last night approved the transfer of its animal shelter contract to the Homeward Bound City Pound from the Nova Scotia SPCA.
The SPCA has held the contract, which is renewed each year, for about a decade. In a report presented to council, municipal staff said, “The SPCA did not clearly identify the costs and revenues associated with adopted animals.” The Homeward Bound group had a better overall proposal, the report said.
“The people involved have 20-plus years in the animal industry,” said police Supt. William Moore, who authored the report.
In a press release issued Wednesday, says its vision is to change the way people think about the 'city pound' by providing exceptional animal care and a service that the citizens of HRM will admire and respect. Providing quality care for all animals that are brought in by HRM Animal Services is a top priority for HBCP.
HBCP is a new organization which brings together over 60 years of combined experience in animal care. In addition, HBCP has arranged for veterinary services with experienced and respected veterinarians in the HRM.
The new facility has been carefully designed and staffed to ensure that all animals in the care of HBCP are provided with the best care.
HBCP will only be involved with animals brought in by HRM Animal Services Officers via their enforcement of the A-300 bylaw to the pound which will be located in Burnside. The Burnside location will provide easy access for Animal Services as well as for pet owners coming in to retrieve their animals.
In accordance with the A-300 bylaw, HBCP will keep all animals for a minimum of 72 hours and attempt to locate the owner of the animal during this time. Animals that are not reclaimed by their owners will be evaluated for adoption based on their health and temperament. Temperament evaluations will be carried out by a member of the HBCP team who is experienced in performing aggression evaluations and behavioural training.
All adoptable animals that are turned over by HRM Animal Services will be will be fully vetted (including vaccination, parasite prevention, spayed or neutered) and micro-chipped for identification. They will be adopted out by an experienced adoption team.
“We are aiming for a high adoption/redemption rate” states Hope Swinimer, Director of HBCP.
HBCP has also made long-term kenneling arrangements for dogs that have to be held for court cases. These dogs will be sent to a privately-run boarding kennel outside the city. The kennels offer a tranquil setting, kennels with access to outdoor runs, and plenty of opportunities for socialization and play.
"The last thing we want is for a dog to be stuck in a cage while it waits for a court decision" says Swinimer. "The boarding facility we have made arrangements with is in a peaceful location in the country, with lots of room for the dogs to run and play".
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