Saugeen Shores is planning to move to a one-time animal licensing fee instead of an annual requirement.
Town staff say the current annual licensing fee system for dogs and cats takes up a significant amount of administrative time without much return on investment.
Staff say a one-time fee per animal payable within 10 days of receiving a new dog or cat is the better way to go.
They say the Town has three tiers for licensing: those before March 1st at a lower price, those after that date at a higher price and another rate for a microchipped pet. Staff say it takes time to make corrections, adjustments and updates, for example when an animal dies or its owners move.
They say in 2022 there were 632 renewals, 155 new animals registered, and it brought in about $18,000.
But staff note, they review lists and send invoices or notices three times per year. There is a cost to mailing out reminders and invoices, and it also takes up staff time.
They say to create an online system would cost more the program brings in.
According to staff, a one-time fee of $75 per animal would remove a lot of the administrative burden, and also make it easier for residents. The annual fees ranged from $18 to $30 each year.
It would mean about $7,500 in annual revenue for the town that could be spent on animal control and bylaw enforcement rather than administrative costs.
Staff say current licensees won’t have to pay the fee again.
During discussion on October 23rd, Mayor Luke Charbonneau noted, while he didn’t object to the proposal from staff, he wondered why the municipality had a licensing program for pets at all, adding some municipalities have done away with them entirely.
At the November 13th council meeting, the recommendation from staff to move to a one-time licensing program was adopted by council.
Before the new fee system goes into effect, it has to be passed when the new Fees and Charges bylaw is passed with the new budget.