Most definitions of a “No Kill” shelter or pound specify that 90% of the animals are saved. Local Municipal Animal Services (MAS) has not only qualified as a No Kill facility for the past four years but boasts a higher annual save rate average of 95%, and 2019’s save rate to date is 96.6%. Sadly, a small number of terminally ill or injured animals are not able to be saved.
Since the implementation of the Barn Cat Adoption program in 2015, cats that are aggressive and not socialized enough to be a house pet, have been going to barns and warehouses, etc where they can be “working cats”.
Among the many progressive policies implemented at MAS is the microchipping of all cats and dogs prior to adoption. A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at shelters showed that dogs without microchips were only returned to their owners 22% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned 52% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 2% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 39% of the time.
All dogs and cats, even kittens, are spayed or neutered before adoption from MAS. Adoption fees which include: spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping, are priced at $205.(plus a $20. dog tag) for a dog, $95. for a cat or $125 for a kitten. Barn cat adoptions are by donation.
Municipal Animal Services is governed by the Joint Animal Control Municipal Service Board of Management representing the Town of Cobourg, Municipality of Port Hope, Township of Hamilton and Township of Alnwick / Haldimand. Its four member board consists of a councillor from each its four funding municipalities.
The municipal pound, formerly the Shelter of Hope, was renamed as Municipal Animal Services in January 2017. Its previous name had caused confusion in the community with some people mistaking it for the Northumberland Humane Society (NHS) which has a different mandate. The NHS accepts owner surrendered animals but not strays, whereas the MAS only accepts stray cats and dogs.
Another difference is that the NHS is a registered charity, MAS is not a registered charity but is authorized to issue official tax receipts for donations from the public MAS’s operating costs are funded by the four municipalities it services, therefore 100% of donations received can go towards the fund the donor chooses: either the Mercy Fund (emergency veterinary care), Spay/Neuter Fund, Barn Cat Program, or General Donations.
Will bequests to MAS are welcomed and go towards extras not in the municipal budget. In 2019 a generous bequest from the estate of Mildred Greta Hannah and William Brodie Hannah allowed the pound to purchase 12 specialty kennel cages for feral cats with a unique layout that reduces stress and stress-related illness.
MAS welcomes visitors to their on site adoption room to meet prospective furry family members or prospective barn cats. Enquiries for volunteering and fostering are also welcome.
The MAS Facebook page at facebook.com/MunicipalAnimalServices/ not only posts animals available for adoption at the pound but also photos and information about local missing or found pets which often leads to reunions. An upcoming website will be at www.municipalanimalservices.ca
Municipal Animal Services is located at at 2363 Theatre Road South in Hamilton Township (north off Hwy #2 between Port Hope and Cobourg) in Ontario and is open to the public Mon-Fri 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sat 9:00am to 1:00 pm., and can be contacted at 905-885-7808.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
