Administration is hoping council will vote Monday to extend PAW Pet and Wildlife Rescue’s contract for animal control and pound services for all of Chatham-Kent.
PAWR is the current provider of animal control and pound services, and with their contract expiring in March 2027, staff is hoping to avoid a new request for proposals, which could lead to higher costs and uncertainty in service delivery. The report going to council references PAWR being the sole bidder during the 2024 request for proposals process.
Council will vote on whether to extend their contract from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2029 at a cost of $2,716,143. The report states the extension includes a 3.6 per cent service fee increase over the next two years. Council will also vote on extending PAWR’s leases for the municipally owned animal shelters in Chatham and Wallaceburg.
PAWR operates the two shelters 365 days a year with the support of 16 staff members and more than 50 volunteers. In addition to animal control, the organization operates a pet food bank, microchip clinics, wildlife assistance services, spay and neuter voucher programs, nursing home visits, public education campaigns, and the loan of traps and carriers.