The City of Surrey will no longer be using the BC SPCA for its kenneling services.
Those services include housing stray animals that are found by Surrey bylaw officers or turned in by the public.
Animal protection will still be the responsibility of the BC SPCA.
The move to switch from the BC SPCA for keneling has been in the works for the last year, with Surrey purchasing its own property for an animal shelter in Cloverdale, in the 17900 block of Colebrook Road.
Surrey was originally looking to partner with another organization, but recently decided to take a run at kenneling on its own.
This month, the switch from the SPCA to the B.C. Commissionaires finally took place.
The BC SPCA bid for the contract, but was unable to match the low price of using the Commissioinaires.
“We put in the most competitive bid we could without compromising the welfare of the stray and injured animals received by the shelter,” said Craig Daniell, chief executive officer for the BC SPCA. “It appears that the city’s decision was based on cost but, given our experience carrying out animal control contracts across the province, we knew we could not lower the bid without adversely affecting animal care.”
Animals being kenneled at the Surrey branch of the BC SPCA will be turned over to the Commissionaires on April 30.
The BC SPCA has also purchased a 5.5-acre parcel of land at 16748 50 Avenue between Highway 10 and 32 Avenue. The site will be renovated to serve as an Education and Adoption Centre with a range of services for abused and animals as well as programs for pet guardians and youth in the city.
The first phase of the new Surrey centre is expected to open this summer, with additional services added throughout 2012.
@diakiw
