Hamilton has a reputation for killing cats, councillor says

Hamilton is known as being a city that kills too many cats, one councillor says. But its just taken its first step toward changing that.

Currently, Hamilton Animal Services (HAS) has no program to adopt out animals, and euthanizes hundreds of animals per year, said Coun. Sam Merulla of Ward 4. Most of them are cats.

At a council meeting Wednesday, Merulla successfully moved a motion to have HAS examine partnering with the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA to start an adoption program.

Hamilton should be known for many things, Merulla said. But killing cats shouldnt be one of them.

We have the distinction of having a kill rate thats higher than others, Merulla said.

We are literally killing these animals that are seen to be a nuisance.

Animal lovers have been pushing for more than a decade to see HAS, which deals with lost or stray animals, start an adoption program. Theyd also like HAS to allow volunteers who work with the animals to keep them adoption ready. Many advocates also want to see a low or no-cost spay and neuter program. About 1,700 people have signed an online petition to reduce the number of animals euthanized.

Coun. Doug Conley of Ward 9 agreed with Merulla that the city needs a better reputation when it comes to animals.

Theres a perception with the public, and its a real perception, that we are killing these dogs and cats, he said.

Jill McKerrow Collins runs a Facebook group pushing for the change. She said shes relieved, but the work doesnt stop here.

While listening to the debate, I was waiting to exhale, she said.

We have worked very hard at information Hamilton citizens about the plight of animals at HAS, and finally council understands.

HAS already planned to bring back suggested changes to council this year, including possible adoptions.

We realize we need to make some changes, Paola Pianegonda, manager of animal services, told CBC Hamilton last year.

In 2014, HAS euthanized 641 cats, while 671 were pulled by Hamilton-Burlington SPCA and 1,365 by other local volunteer rescues.

Euthanizing was at its peak in 2005, when HAS put down about 4,000 cats.

samantha.craggs@cbc.ca | @SamCraggsCBC