Dear Editor,
In the past several months there has been several articles in the Barrhead Leader regarding the existing “The Animal Control Bylaw” last amended in 2004. As President of BARS I have recognized the need for new bylaws that would encourage pet owners to be more responsible, by providing better care, proper shelter and the encouraging to spay and neuter their pets.
In February the Town Council put forward a proposed amendment that received first reading and is receiving some feedback on the article that was written by Marcus Day of the Leader on February 19th.
There are parts of the bylaw that with a little discussion and understanding we could support but there are proposed areas of the bylaws that we are vehemently against; however that is the process, to get feedback for the public and therefore this will become more politically motivated as there are few pet owners on council.
We will not be supporting a bylaw to enforce people to keep their cats indoors but we do encourage this practice, as cats are also at risk and they tend to get into other peoples yards where they are not welcome. There are people who believe that if all pets were kept indoors or within its owner’s boundaries that the streets would be bare of stray animals, they are mistaken. Sadly the vast majority of felines you often see are homeless strays, even feral. BARS has a plan, not a quick fix but a means to an end to the overpopulation of felines in our community. This plan will be introduced once we see the bylaws amended in such a way that we as a society in good conscience can support.
So yes, BARS wants both dogs and cats to be licensed. We want to be able to distinguish the difference between your pet and a stray by way of a licence tag on a collar (or by the alternative microchip). We would still have to convince the Town that micro chipping is a viable alternative but this brings us back to our involvement and our long term vision of animal control.
The words “Animal Control” can have different definitions. The Town is, as they should, be concerned about dogs and cats ‘Running at Large’ with the public safety in mind and let’s admit it, to control the amount of complaints. We at BARS define “Animal Control” as educating and encouraging spay and neutering pets as well as controlling them so they are not at risk, not damaging property or putting the public in harms way. So really the Town of Barrhead and BARS have mutual interests, just some differences in how to achieve this. The towns ideology is a ongoing vicious circle that does not at this time have a plan to resolve the biggest issue of stray and feral cats. We do, but we need the support of the community in order to achieve our goals.
If you’re interested in our program or want to support our cause please contact me through our e-mail at [email protected]. Thank you!
Terry J. Colborne
President, Barrhead Animal Rescue Society
