Animal services turns tail on plan to charge late-licence fee
City agency cancels plan for $4-a-month late fee for dog and cat licence renewals
Winnipeg's animal services agency has backed away from its plan to start charging fees for late pet licence renewals.
The 2017 business plan for the city's animal services special operating agency called for a new $4 monthly fee for late licence renewals, up to a maximum of $20.
On Friday, animal services chief operating officer Leland Gordon asked council's innovation committee to strike the late fee from the business plan.
"There's lots of challenges in regard to implementing a late fee monthly like that," Gordon told the committee, adding that complexity led him to reconsider.
The fee also will create another barrier toward paying for pet licences, he said.
- Winnipeg pet owners get break from fines, urged to get licences
- Winnipeg pet owners have to license their cats come 2015
- Some dog owners may not pony up, Animal Services says
Council's innovation committee voted 2-1 to approve Gordon's request, with Coun. Marty Morantz voting in opposition. That means there will still be no extra fees for the late renewal of dog or cat licences in Winnipeg.
Pet owners are sent a reminder one month before the renewal is due, and another reminder if they fail to do so.