Protect Our Pets and Our Community

The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc is the place we call home, and it is the place where we raise our families, teach our children how to be good citizens, and have pride in the community we belong to.

Across the province, the country, and the world, there are animals, both wildlife and domesticated pets, vying for their place in it. While we wrestle with coexisting in harmony with wildlife, we also struggle with providing proper care for our domesticated animals, our pets. Contrary to what some may believe, ownership of a pet is not a right, it is a privilege. 

Pets improve our lives in measurable ways. In recent years, not only has there been a boom in pet ownership, there has been an inordinate rise in the cost of care for these animals - veterinary care, food, and shelter. As a result, many loved animals go without proper care, even though they are well regarded.  

It is not controversial to assert that there are more animals being born than are wanted or needed; this is not an animal problem, it is a human problem, and the overpopulation of pets in our community - as well as every community that has this problem (which is EVERY community) is one that humans have created. Dogs and cats, as well as many other domesticated pets, are invasive species by definition; humans brought them here. Not only must there be accountability, there must be a remedy.

We call on our municipal council to review our current bylaws referring to domestic animals and to make wholesale changes to those bylaws to protect pets, pet owners, and petless citizens so that the overpopulation of animals that spill out of our homes, fill our shelters, streets, and neighbourhoods is monitored and regulated, providing humane conditions for both humans and pets.

As a gesture of good faith in governance, we ask that our municipal council introduces a partnership or voucher program to offer low-cost spay/neuter and access to veterinary care for those who would do so if not for the prohibitive costs.

This is a first step. The sum of our human history continues to prove that when it comes to our domestic animals, "doing the right thing" is rarely a consideration. The Province of Ontario has the power to mandate that stronger animal provisions and protections be implemented throughout our municipalities, but to date it has not compelled municipalities to do so. We ask that our municipal council take the first step to lead the way in animal regulation reform.

This petition was started by friends and advocates of the Strathroy Feline Network, a volunteer-driven community of local caregivers and supporters who are determined to effect change for the betterment of all animals.