BEACONSFIELD DOG POUND NON CONFORMING: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

PHOTOS: Nicole Corrado

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Beaconsfield is a PETA certified compassionate city.  So when I moved here, I was shocked to discover how shabby the dog pound is.  Unfortunately, under city bylaws, the cages only have to be 1.2 by 1.2 metres.  The storage building at 303 A Beaconsfield Boulevard is not suitable for animals.  Out of curiosity, I obtained a free estimate regarding the building at 303 A Beaconsfield Boulevard.  The architectural firm specializing in animal shelters pointed out that the cages do NOT fit the minimum size recommendations of the American Shelter Veterinary Association.  (This architectural firm works in Canada as well as the USA).  The dogs do best with separate sleeping, eating, and bathroom areas, but there are only three cages with no outside access. 

I asked about cost estimates to rebuild the pound.  There is absolutely enough space to build a beautiful pound.  The current building is 2000 square feet.  Beaconsfield would do best with a shelter space of 7000 square feet.  There is enough space to expand the building. The cost of a shelter is $6000 for a feasibility study, $15,000 for a floor plan, and $5,000,000 to build.

Considering that dogs are usually returned without impoundment, due to microchipping, and the average stay at the pound is only two hours, the city isn’t willing to put the money into improvements.  However, dogs can stay at the pound for up to three days.  And Beaconsfield doesn’t provide animal services for animals other than dogs, no space for cats, bunnies, birds, etc.  There are few services in the West Island to spay and neuter feral cats, for instance.   

I wish Beaconsfield would at least acknowledge the pound, and would provide free microchipping for lower income residents (not everyone in Beaconsfield is rich). 

One way Beaconsfield could justify the cost of shelter reform is to work with other municipalities to provide free animal services at 303 A Beaconsfield Boulevard.  Currently other West Island municipalities contract out, at a fee to residents, the for profit Canin du Suroit, a pet hotel.  A not for profit could provide a wide range of free or low cost services, moving beyond Animal Control.

I have created a petition regarding the pound.  https://www.change.org/p/les-animaux-méritent-mieux-animals-deserve-better-give-lost-animals-a-better-shelter

Nicole Corrado

Beaconsfield,