The South East Animal Welfare League has confirmed it will not submit an expression of interest for a council tender to impound and rehome animals.

This follows the tripartite agreement between the league and the Mount Gambier City and Grant District councils ceasing on Saturday.

The decision was made at a special members meeting held last week and SEAWL president Trevor Twilley said the organisation was “extremely disappointed” with council’s approach.

On Saturday, the Mount Gambier City and Grant District councils ceased taking lost dogs to the SEAWL after SEAWL decided not to accept an eight month extension to its five year funding agreement.

The two councils will instead house stray dogs at their depots while they undertake a competitive tender process for animal shelter services through a joint initiative.

“The services required in the tender are far beyond SEAWL’s capacity to meet the requirements as SEAWL does not have the capacity, resources, staff, infrastructure and finances to cater for what is being required,” Mr Twilley said.

“Another issue of concern is that it stipulates the incumbent shall accept deceased cats and dogs delivered to it by an authorised person,” Mr Twilley said.

“Why would SEAWL or any other organisation wish to received deceased dogs and cats from council, that is their responsibility.

“Another area of concern, under capacity management, it states effective management of animals in care to ensure there is adequate capacity for incoming council impounds all year round.

“In other words, what that is indicating, is if the successful tenderer was at full capacity, they would have to euthanise an animal to make room for an incoming impound.

“I could not believe it when I read that.”

Mr Twilley said between both councils, 310 cats and kittens per year were predicted to be impounded.

“That is another 310 mouths we have to feed let alone the amount of kitty litter and healthcare and all that for the animal,” he said.

“We just do not have capacity, so it was a unanimous decision that SEAWL will not be submitting the tender.”

Mr Twilley said this would contribute to significantly higher expenses for the league, which currently costs $200,000 annually to operate.

“Whilst we had a guaranteed $60,000 shared between City and Grant District Council, that is $140,000 a year that we have to raise each and every year just to remain open,” he said.

“We definitely will become more reliant on the generosity of the community and will also embark on seeking some corporate sponsors.”

Mr Twilley was also concerned this would remove SEAWL’s ability to assist the general community.

“We have to have room for all council impounds and they anticipate 310 cats and kittens, that means we would not be able to have owner surrenders from the broader community,” he said.

“Another major point of discussion was SEAWLs concern for the welfare of animals in council’s care, because they simply just do not have the facilities.”

Mr Twilley said the tender also stated, ‘the incumbent shall accept other species of domestic animals, e.g. birds, pocket pets, etcetera.’

“Who knows what is included in that ‘etcetera,’” he said.

“We do not have the infrastructure for all the other types of pets and birds.”

Mount Gambier City Council released further information on Friday in a bid to explain its stance.

Council chief executive Sarah Philpott said in January elected members resolved to embark on a competitive tender process for animal shelter services on a ‘fee for service’ basis for a five-year term “in line with council’s procurement policy and to represent better value for

ratepayers”.

“As part of the tripartite funding agreement, City Council paid SEAWL $49,500 per year.

“With 71 impounds this financial year, that equates to $697 per impounded dog,” Ms Philpott said.

“In addition, SEAWL retains fees charged to the public when they collect their dog, including an impoundment fee of $70 per dog and a daily hold fee of $45 a day.

“On behalf of City and Grant councils, we thank SEAWL for taking care of the community’s stray and seized dogs during the terms of the agreement and we are happy to continue working with them in the

interim.

“We want to provide certainty and continuity of service to any individual/organisation that may wish to submit an Expression of Interest to assist with all or parts of the care and reunification of lost dogs to their

owners.

“We also want to make sure that we are providing a service to the community that delivers the best value for money.”

Ms Philpott said following completion of the Expression of Interest phase, the councils would review the submissions and determine the next steps such as proceeding to tender or appointing a provider.