Ms. Hayes, Resident and Mr. Field, Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee Advocacy Group Member spoke to benefits associated with the creation of an Animal Care Committee. Ms. Hayes provided a brief background regarding the previous request and Council decisions. Mr. Field noted the number advocacy groups that sit on the Oshawa Animal Care Advisory Committee as Members and the benefits of establishing partnerships with a variety of specialized organizations in the animal care industry. They further noted the positive financial impact pertaining to remuneration, operational fees, collecting revenue and the information being gained and provided to the community. Mr. Field requested that Council reconsider the request to establish a Mississauga Animal Care Committee.
Sam Rogers, Director, Enforcement spoke to the matter noting Council’s original direction and the subsequent Council resolutions that opted for implementing a plan to tackle the feral cat issue in place of a committee. Mr. Rogers also noted the costs associated with creating a committee, such as staff resources and time.
Councillor Saito noted the City of Mississauga previously had a successful Animal Standard Care Committee that built positive relationships and established partnerships with a variety of specialized organizations in the animal industry. Councillor Saito volunteered to sit down and discuss with staff the value of establishing a committee and the accomplishments that other municipalities have achieved via their Animal Care Advisory Committees.
Direction to staff was given to research and benchmark with other Municipalities that have an Animal Care Committee in place to determine the value of the City of Mississauga establishing its own Animal Care Advisory Committee and to report back to Council at a later date.