By Grant Warkentin
The Strathcona Regional District is asking Area D residents if they would like to bring animal control services in-house.
Currently animal control services in Area D are provided under contract by the City of Campbell River. Now, the district is looking at providing and funding them directly through the SRD, an option the district says will be cheaper for taxpayers.
“Over the past three years, the SRD has seen a steady increase in costs for the service, especially for 2025 when the City ceased subcontracting to Coastal Animal Control,” says the district.
The City of Campbell River began contracting Coastal Animal Control Services in 2013 as a cost-saving measure; they were chosen partly because their $105,000 bid (renewed annually) was less than half of the bid submitted by the BCSPCA. Coastal held the animal control services contract for 11 years, until the city brought all services in-house in 2024 as a further cost-savings measure.
Now, the SRD is looking to do the same, and is asking Area D residents what they think of the idea. A survey for residents is open until April 24.
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