Sudbury animal control contract attracts just one bid

The City of Greater Sudbury may wind up spending more on animal control services than originally planned.

The current contractor, Rainbow District Animal Shelter, was the lone bidder on the new contract this spring.

But the company wanted more than the $422,000 the city had budgeted.

So, the city once again called for bids and, once again, Rainbow District was the only firm interested.

Shelter manager Richard Paquette Sr. said he isn’t surprised.

“This is a very specialized field. And has so many different dynamics."

At a city council meeting Tuesday night, city staff is expected to ask council to authorize another round of negotiations with Rainbow District.

Paquette said he is optimistic a deal can be reached.

“It's not just dollars and cents. It has a lot to do with philosophy,” he said.

One thing that has made operating the city pound more expensive is the ballooning number of stray cats and dogs it cares for, Paquette noted.

The shelter takes in about 1,100 strays every year.