Amalgamating the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter with the city shelter would be a good thing for everybody, says the executive director of the shelter and Humane Society Yukon.

Dan Moore said in an interview Wednesday afternoon he is optimistic the union will happen.

Building the required addition to the Mae Bachur shelter could begin by this time next year, quite realistically, he said.

The Mae Bachur facility on Tlingit Street in the Marwell area opened in November 1998.

There are ongoing discussions with the city regarding funding and operational arrangements but overall, he said, it’s a sound proposal.

They are still waiting for final estimates for the additional 1,400 square feet they expect to need.

It’s likely discussions will get back underway in earnest in September, with a decision by the New Year, he said.

Moore said the initial estimates for the addition were essentially based on regular prices to build a new home at $220 a square foot.

But he’s asked for another assessment, because they won’t be needing any kitchen cabinets, he said.

“I am still waiting for some of those to come in,” Moore said. “That would be part of the discussion for sure.

“The idea here is to have an add-on to our facility that those bylaw officers would have access to any time they have a stray.”

Exactly how the cost of the addition, as well as the ongoing operation and maintenance, will be shared between the humane society and the city is a matter still to be worked out, said the executive director.

Having the stray animals at Mae Bachur ensures there’s always somebody around to look after them, Moore said.

It would also free up the officers to spend more time on enforcement and other duties required of the bylaw department, he pointed out.

Moore said it would also create greater flexibility for pet owners to retrieve their dogs and cats that have been picked up by officers.

Mae Bachur staff and volunteers are very good at their jobs, and know how to deal with animals that show signs of stress or have behavioural issues, he emphasized.

The recommendation that the city should amalgamate its shelter with Mae Bachur came out of an independent review last summer of the bylaw department and the services it provides.

The shelter recommendation was among six that were made. Three of the six have been given priority, including the proposed amalgamation.

Moore said discussions started following last year’s review but took a break because of the October 2018 municipal election, though they’re are back on track.

The administrative report presented to city council Monday evening regarding the recommendation notes the city shelter does not meet national standards for an animal care facility.

“The Mae Bachur Animal Shelter is clearly superior to the city shelter from a design and functional perspective,” says the report.

“It meets/exceeds Canadian Shelter Veterinarians guidelines and benefits from technically qualified staff and a cadre of dedicated volunteers.”

Moore said the city no longer puts down animals that are not claimed within 72 hours, and has not been doing so for many years, as he understands.

If a dog is unclaimed after 72 hours, the city turns over ownership of the animal to Mae Bachur, he points out.

He said animals at Mae Bachur remain there until a new home is found, unless there are health issues that require euthanasia for humane purposes.

One dog was there for a year and a half, Moore pointed out.

Statistics provided by the bylaw department indicate the number of animals officers pick up varies from none to five or six a week.

So far this year, they’ve apprehended 58 animals – 45 dogs and 13 cats.

In 2018, officers picked up a total of 102 animals – 77 dogs and 25 cats.