My name is Valerie Mackett, co-founder of New Hope Dog Rescue and I am starting this petition on the basis of personal experience and desperate need.  NHDR were once rescue partners with City of Thunder Bay Animal Services. A partnership since 2005 that helped to save and rehabilitate countless of innocent lives. 

The restructuring of Municipal Enforcement Services (MES) in 2022 (Staff Report R149-2020) led to the closure of animal services. The restructure and closure have left many animals vulnerable and animal rescue organizations like ours struggling to fill the void without any support or financial aid. The consequences for our community have been dire and the lives of animals are being impacted. 

The direction from council was to increase the emphasis of by-law enforcement while reducing animal services; the only service currently provided, is the impoundment function for dogs running at large.

The inexplicable closure of city animal services without public disclosure has left many of our four-legged friends helpless and the public uninformed. This move has damaged public trust and shows lack of transparency. The community has invested in animal services, expecting humane care for animals. The restructuring is a step backward, undoing years of progress in animal welfare and breaking the trust we have in our City Council.

Municipal Enforcement Services (MES) has not followed through with their commitment of creating solid partnerships with animal welfare groups. Recently, despite multiple animal rescue groups in Thunder Bay, two beagles were left to languish in city owned kennels for months without vet care; not worthy of taxpayer’s dollars, instead she was let to die in a concrete cell. This is completely unacceptable. With proper working relationships with animal welfare groups, those dogs and many others could have been rescued much sooner.  In addition, there are also numerous complaints about MES’s inconsistency or lack of response for free roaming dogs, injured cats and dogs and the collection of deceased animals on public streets and parks. 

In addition to calling for the reopening of these services, we demand an immediate change to the following; 

1.  MES follows up on their commitment to form partnerships with willing volunteer animal welfare groups that can immediately accept the dogs into their rescues. 
2. MES start accepting free roaming dogs and cats that have been secured by the citizens.
3. City Council establish an Animal Welfare Oversight Board in which myself will have a position and voice on the board and/or and accountability partnership with New Hope Dog Rescue. The oversight board will be made up of five civilian members and two city council members. This would ensure transparency and accountability in dealing with animal welfare matters in the city. As a community of animal lovers and taxpayers, we have the right to have active participation in matters that deeply affect us. 

We believe that we, as a community of animal lovers and taxpayers, have a right to have active participation in matters that deeply affect us. Reopening these services is not just for the animals; it's for us as community members, ensuring our city remains a compassionate place for all living beings. 

Make your voice heard and demand for better animal welfare in Thunder Bay. Please support us in this petition. Your signature will make the difference.