The City of Airdrie is excited to announce it will be rolling out a new pound and animal rescue model this year, which will provide long-term stability for animal care services in Airdrie.

Under the new model, Municipal Enforcement will manage a City owned pound responsible for the initial intake, holding and temporary care of lost or stray animals. While a dedicated non-profit organization will be contracted to operate the animal shelter facilities, focused on long-term animal welfare and overseeing adoptions.

"We are thrilled to introduce this hybrid model, which leverages the expertise of both the City and our non-profit partners to provide the best possible care for animals in need," said Brad Tomlinson, team leader of Municipal Enforcement for the City of Airdrie. "This initiative reflects our commitment to service sustainability and community collaboration."

The City has purchased a building at 2 East Lake Way to house the new pound and animal shelter.

"Our research has indicated that most municipalities have some type of shelter or pound run out of a City owned building, which provides them with long-term stability even if the circumstances of local service providers change," said Tomlinson, adding that in the absence of a local humane society, this option was determined to be the best way forward for Airdrie.

Plans to put this model in place are underway, with the City aiming to start accepting dogs to the new pound in mid-2025, and cats later in the year. The City is working towards having the pound and animal shelter fully operational in mid-2026, following the issuance of an invitational competition to several qualified non-profit animal shelter service providers.

"We're taking a staged approach to rolling out this new model to ensure the right systems and staffing are in place to meet the long-term needs of our city," said Tomlinson.

Until the new facility opens, the City will continue to work with Tales to Tell Animal Shelter in Crossfield who will look after stray cats found in Airdrie, and a local non-public facing shelter animal care facility who are caring for found or stay dogs in the community.

Airdrie residents who find stray cats or dogs can contact Airdrie Municipal Enforcement's 24-hour complaint line at 403.948.8888.