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Ontario Animal Rescue Faces $200K Bill After Province Seizes Nearly 60 Cats
🇨🇦 Canada /Disasters & Emergencies

Ontario Animal Rescue Faces $200K Bill After Province Seizes Nearly 60 Cats

From Global News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • An Ontario animal shelter, Saving Animals' Lives Together (SALT), faces a nearly $200,000 bill from the province's animal welfare service (PAWS).
  • The bill is for costs incurred by PAWS to remove nearly 60 cats from the shelter's care, including veterinary expenses and boarding.
  • SALT is exploring fundraising and appealing the bill, which is due Aug. 25, while the provincial investigation continues.

A small animal rescue in southwestern Ontario is struggling to survive after receiving a staggering bill of nearly $200,000 from the province's animal welfare service. Saving Animals' Lives Together (SALT), based in St. Thomas, Ont., was issued the invoice by the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) for costs associated with removing almost 60 cats from its care earlier this year.

Have you ever been hit by a two-by-four. I figured it would be around $200,000. I don’t know, I just figured because when they came in the way they did and so gung-ho, it’s like, ‘We got to shut this person down.

— Bonnie SmithA representative from SALT described the shock and impact of receiving the large bill from the province.

The statement of account, viewed by Global News, details $125,640.50 in veterinary costs and $72,524.78 for boarding the felines. Bonnie Smith, a representative from SALT, expressed shock at the amount, likening the impact to being "hit by a two-by-four." She noted that PAWS had inspected the facility in May when approximately 140 cats were housed there.

It was so heartbreaking, so heartbreaking. The whole staff, everybody, was just in tears.

— Bonnie SmithSmith described the emotional toll on the shelter staff after learning about the euthanasia of some of the cats.

SALT was later informed that a complaint had been made, though details were scarce. PAWS subsequently transferred many cats to the Toronto Humane Society, and reports indicate that 17 cats were euthanized without SALT's consent. The organization is now responsible for the entire cost under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act of 2019, with the payment due August 25. Failure to pay or appeal could result in the animals becoming property of the Crown.

Owners or custodians are responsible for the costs associated with Provincial Animal Welfare Services removing distressed animals from their facility to protect the animal’s safety and welfare.

— Brent RossA spokesperson for the Ministry of the Solicitor General explained the legal basis for the charges.

Facing this immense financial burden, Smith is actively seeking community support through fundraising efforts and plans to appeal the statement to the Animal Care Review Board. She expressed that the shelter is "at the mercy of compassionate people who care about animals to help us." The situation remains uncertain, as PAWS indicated that additional invoices for ongoing care costs may be issued.

We’re at the mercy of compassionate people who care about animals to help us.

— Bonnie SmithSmith appealed to the public for donations to help the shelter cover the significant costs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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