By Rebecca Billard – Burns Lake Lakes District News click here
The contract for dog control that the Village of Burns Lake (VBL) had with dog catcher Astrid Charlotte Vienten recently came to an end.
According to Tim Palmer, VBL chief administrative officer, Vienten chose to end her contract early after a recent council decision was made not to renew the animal control contract in 2010.
“Last Monday the dog control officer [Vienten] gave notice that she was ceasing to provide the service effective immediately,” said Palmer.
“These services will now be handled by VBL staff,” he added.
“It does not feel right to work for someone that has already decided to let you go,” said Vienten in response.
“I truly enjoyed my six years as animal control officer in Burns Lake and I am disappointed that this service to the community has been cut,” said Vienten.
“It is a step in the wrong direction to discontinue animal control,” she said.
“I am afraid it will be on the backs of the dogs and the safety of our town,”
“We have to agree that there is a dog problem in Burns Lake and if it is not checked properly it can easily get out of hand. As the saying goes, “A society is judged by how it treats its weakest,” Vienten added.
According to Palmer the decision to end the animal control contact in 2010 was made at a recent council meeting.
Vienten in a statement to the Lakes District News that she was given an opportunity to address council with the validity of the animal control services that she was providing.
“The news [the decision to end her contract] came as a shock to me,” Vienten said.
The decision will save the VBL money in wages and other associated costs.
Information provided recently to council regarding local animal control noted that a total of 24 dogs had been impounded by Vienten from January to October of 2009.
Another 22 dogs had been impounded by RCMP and during VBL bylaw enforcement action.
Of the 46 dogs that were impounded during this time 20 dogs were released back to their owners, 22 dogs were taken to Turtle Gardens and four dogs were released to others.
During this same period 69 dog licences were issued by the VBL.
According to Palmer the income to the VBL from the impound charges and licensing fees amounted to a total of $1,670.
Palmer noted that the cost of having a dog catcher on hand for 2009 amounted to $13,294.91.
This included a monthly wage of approximately $1,000.
Palmer also noted that the cost per 24 dogs that were picked up by the dog catcher amounted to $423.28 when calculated out.
The total revenue on impound and licensing for the 24 dogs added to just $36.30 per dog.
According to Palmer there is also further costs associated with animal control that will add up to approximately $3,334.09 for 2009.
These costs include items such as dog tags, dog food and costs associated with the spay and neuter program.
“Only the future will tell if the VBL will be able to handle the animal control effectively, my concern is with the animals,” added Vienten.
What does this mean to Turtle Gardens? Since we have come out of retirement in April of 2006 the Village of Burns Lake has contributed $100 (the euthanasia fee) to the Burns Lake Veterinary Clinic who in turn at a huge discount spays or neuters/vaccinates and vet checks each pound inmate. This was to ensure that the Burns Lake Tax dollars stayed in Burns Lake. Turtle Gardens then picks up the dogs at our expense and rehabilitates each and every one to be good family pets. From April 2006 we received 49 dogs of which 20 were puppies. In 2007 we received 67 dogs of which 32 were puppies. In 2008 again 69 dogs and 25 pups. This year we saw 22 dogs and NO puppies. None of the dogs were adopted back into Burns Lake! We are already seeing a change – the dogs are no longer vetted before arrival – they are kept 48 hours then we are asked to pick them up —immediately. We no longer have the option of waiting until our speuter days to save on transportation costs. Saving money is what VBL says is the reason for change but at what cost? And to who?
The Faces from Burns Lake Pound!
This voting challenge is from www.care2.com and adoptapet.com – Only one vote per person – each vote counts!!
Help Turtle Gardens win $10,000! – We are #85 with 129 votes!
- vote online Nov 5 – Dec 16
- over $25,000 in prizes
- it’s fast easy, and free!! – The banner above has the vote button!
And then We need more clicks!!!
The shelter challenge – We are # 1 in Canada which means we are in line for a $1000 grant. But we could aim higher –We are UP AGAIN!! !! to #29 in overall ranking. #1 gets $20,000, #2 gets $5000 and #3 gets $3000. We can do it!! Email schools and ask the kids to support Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society (our full legal name!!), emails family and friends. The animals are counting on us!
VOTE EVERYDAY!! Click here!
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
Here is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. In his arms is Rags (The little dog from my blog.) basking in her thirty seconds of fame. I have heard many times from many people that mom or dad should put the really sick or hurt dogs to sleep. They shouldn’t waste there time, and move on to the easy ones. But I think my parents are clairvoyant, they seem to see into the future and, see the real value to life, their broken soul with return to them. Rags is one of them, her fur had grown over here eyes and she was just skin and bones. she was so sick she couldn’t eat or walk. Dad took her under his big arm. He syringe fed her for a week, lifting her out to go to the bathroom. One time he was taking her out to pee and a very elderly native lady was there about a dog, She seen rags and told dad the he need to give her pink salmon that some thing changed when they got to the fresh water they were easier for the body to make into fat and it was great for sick people and animals. That afternoon she sent some one to drop a few salmon off for Rags. With in a week she was eating on her own an up and moving around. Now when ever there is a very starved to almost death dog they always started on salmon and it has saved many, many souls. Rags is a TG legend.
