August 2019 Newsletter
I am sure you are just itching to get outside to enjoy the warm August weather, so I will keep this column brief.
The Ward 14 Communities BBQ
The Ward 14 Communities BBQ is back again this September. Join me for a free lunch, a free community association membership, a lot of exhibitors, and lots of fun. The BBQ will take place on September 21, and you can stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please note the new location this year. We will be in the parking lot behind Centennial High School.
Visit
calgary.ca/ward14bbq or
contact me if you are looking for more info.
Responsible Pet Ownership – what does that mean for you?
Pet ownership can be a joy, but it is also a responsibility. People often ask me about pet bylaws, and tell me when they are not being obeyed. The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw helps ensure Calgary’s cats, dogs, and citizens can live together safely and harmoniously.
Under this bylaw, all cats and dogs living in Calgary must be licensed by the age of three months, regardless of whether they are considered indoor or outdoor pets. Owners must also ensure their pets do not stray from their property unless under their control. Here is some of what the bylaw states:
- All dogs must be on-leash at all times, unless posted signs indicate otherwise, or on property where the owner of the dog has the right of occupation.
- Dogs may not be left unattended while tethered.
- Dogs may only be transported in the back of a truck if the dog is in a fully enclosed trailer, a truck bed covered with a topper, contained in a ventilated kennel that is secured to the truck bed, or securely tethered and not standing on bare metal.
- Dog owners must ensure that they bring along a suitable means to pick up feces.
- Dog owners must pick up all feces produced by their dog both on and off their property.
- Dogs must be under control in designated off-leash areas. This means they must be in sight of their owners and respond to sight or sound commands.
Why the need to license indoor pets? First, accidents do happen and sometimes indoor pets get out. Your pet’s license is its ticket home should this happen. A bylaw officer’s first response when coming across a cat or dog at large is to try to get that pet back home. Being able to reference your contact information from your pet’s license makes this process much quicker and easier for everyone.
The second reason for having your pet licensed is that licensing fees, not tax dollars, fund many of the services provided by Animal Services including, but not limited to:
- Educating citizens about responsible pet ownership and enforcing the bylaw
- Housing, feeding and providing medical care for impounded cats and dogs in our vet-operated facility
- Managing our animal adoption program
- Helping neighbours resolve their animal related conflicts
- Providing funding to veterinary clinics for emergency medical care for injured stray cats and dogs
- Operating the No Cost Spay/Neuter program for the cats and dogs of eligible Calgarians.
Keep your pets safe by licensing them annually, and make sure your pet is under control and properly cleaned up after. Your pet, and your neighbours will thank you. Visit calgary.ca/animalservices for more.
Last chance for Calgarians to avoid a trip to the landfill
If you missed a Community Clean Up event earlier in the spring, you are not out of luck. There are still more than 25 clean up events scheduled between September 1 and early October.
These popular events are hosted by community associations with support from Calgary Community Standards and Waste & Recycling at the City. Calgarians can drop off their stuff at any community clean up location, regardless of where they live. There is no charge for putting items in City Waste & Recycling trucks. Keep in mind, some community associations bring in additional recycling services that may require a fee.
Check
calgary.ca/cleanup for the list of community associations hosting cleanup events and check the association web site or Facebook page for full details on the event in each community.
Please don’t bring:
- Car batteries
- Glass (e.g. window panes, glass table tops)
- Household appliances with Freon (e.g. refrigerators, freezers)
- Microwaves
- Liquids (e.g. cooking oils)
- Large metal items (e.g. lawnmowers, barbeques)
- Rail way ties
- Sod or dirt (other yard waste is OK)
- Household hazardous waste (see here for drop-off locations)
Visit
calgary.ca/whatgoeswhere for items that are recyclable.
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Please feel free to
contact me any time. The best way to do so is by visiting
calgary.ca/contactward14.
I hope you have a great summer!
-Councillor Peter Demong
Categories: Newsletter