Humane Society has shelter location, hopes for grant approval
At Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, council voiced support over the selection of the town owned property in the Rosedale industrial park, choosing it over a spot in the Hygrade industrial park in Drumheller and land near the town water treatment plant.
The land in Rosedale is town owned, services, and already graded. CAO Ray Romanetz said the town would be willing to provide labour towards the project.
The Community Facility Enhancement Program is a grant which would provide a maximum of $125,000 per year in funding.
The town’s Director of Community Services Paul Salvatore says their application to the program looks promising.
“There’s a good chance, definitely there’s lots of support from the town and humane society,” says Paul Salvatore. “We think it’s a good application, and we think there are other municipalities around Drumheller which have shown interest in a partnership.”
“It’ll be a good long term project which will benefit the animals of Drumheller.”
When animals are picked up by Drumheller’s bylaw services, they were often sent to Cole’s Pet Resort, but Salvatore says the town has run into logistical complications.
“We wanted something within our corporate boundary, but bottom line is that municipalities are responsible for animal control in Alberta so we have a responsibility to assist with the function.”
There is currently no design for the proposed facility, something will come out once they receive a decision on the grant application, expected in two to three months.
Along with discussing the location during council’s meeting, council voiced support in reviewing a responsible cat ownership bylaw.
“We’re happy that the humane society would be interested in partnering so we can do something that the facility can support.”
Councillor Jay Garbutt questioned how the humane society would pay for full-time staff to run the facility. Salvatore said they thought of providing boarding services there, extended stay servces, and a “doggy day-care” to provide revenue for the facility. He also said regional groups have already showed support in principle.
