Dog, cat and animal owners may be surprised to know there is an animal control centre in Sparwood located on Engelmann Spruce Drive behind the fire hall on Pine Avenue. Children from Tree House daycare came to visit as they were learning about animals that week. They discovered where animals go if they are lost or can’t find their way home and how the bylaw officer’s help to find their owner or find the animals a new home.
“The kids were so receptive and sweet,” said Lottermoser. “They were very vocal telling me what they knew about how to take care of animals. They loved petting the dog, Charger, and watching how the dog door works.”
On any given day, there is usually one cat and dog at the centre but it has been a busier summer with seven to eight cats and two to three dogs at a time. The public brings the animals to the centre and animals are also collected when they are running at large.
Alternately a bylaw officer can retrieve an animal if people are not comfortable bringing it in.
In two years of East Kootenay Security Services managing the contract, all animals have been reunited with their owners or have found homes through adoption. No animals have been put down.
“I am very proud to work for such a great District who allows us to proceed in such a compassionate way with the animals that come into our care,” said Lottermoser.
After 144 hours (six days) at the centre, animals are adopted out. When an animal without an identifying dog tag comes to the centre, notices are posted on local bulletin boards at the District office, the store at the Heights, by the post office, in front of RBC and at the Sparwood Recreation Centre.
“It really is a lot easier if people purchase a dog tag for $35 at the District office on any business day so dog’s homes can be found without the dog having to go to the pound,” said Lottermoser. “No animal likes to go to the pound.”