City Provides APARC Update
The City of Medicine Hat has provided the following statement.
TL:DR Current contract with APARC ends this week.They have retained the current employees; an RFP is coming.
File photo by MH Owl
The City of Medicine Hat is providing an update to its May 9, 2025 announcement that it will assume operations of the Animal Pound Services (APS) facility on an interim basis starting Sunday, June 8, 2025. The current contracted operating agreement with Alberta Pound and Rescue Centres (APARC) will expire on June 7.
The City of Medicine Hat has hired several front-line staff currently working at the Animal Pound Services facility to assist with the transition of operations from APARC to the City of Medicine Hat, effective June 8, 2025.
The temporary transition plan involves onboarding front-line staff members involved in the provision of daily care of the animals currently in the facility, and support from a Registered Veterinary Technician.
The APS facility will be open to the public from 12 to 4 p.m. daily from June 8 to June 11. Starting June 12, one of the kennel rooms in the facility is set to undergo a planned construction upgrade. This work will enhance sanitation measures in the facility, and will maintain safety and well-being of animals and facility staff. The work is anticipated to last until the end of June. The facility will run by appointment during this construction. The facility will run by appointment in July until staff determine a schedule of operating hours.
The City will now issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to determine if other animal welfare organizations have an interest and ability to either operate the full facility or administer adoption and fostering programs, on behalf of the City. The City expects to issue the RFP soon. This transition period is expected to take 90 days.
The City would like to thank APARC for the collaborative approach to transitioning the facility to a municipal operation while the City determines the facility’s long-term operating model.
For more information on hours of operation, to view contact information for the Animal Pound Services facility, visit medicinehat.ca/APS.
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Photo by Kelly Allard
