Bill Bruce speaking engagement in Toronto

Calgary arguably has one of the best, if not the best, animal control organization in the world and by best I mean they manage to save and protect more dogs and cats than most anywhere else. This amazing feat is in large part due to a man named Bill Bruce. Bruce is the Director of Animal and Bylaw Services for the City of Calgary and he made it his mission years ago when he took the position to change the emphasis from animal control to an emphasis on responsible pet ownership.

And it's worked.

Calgary has got the highest rate of licensing amongst pet owners because people understand that the money goes towards a good cause: keeping pets safe and protected.

In Calgary, ACOs are know as Animal Courtesy Officers and that's not just marketing speak.

While a fine for an unlicensed dog or cat is $250 with a zero tolerance for noncompliance, Calgary’s Animal Control Officers spend most of their days helping animals and their people. They are not on a witch hunt for offenders, but rather help educate folks on where to get subsidized spay/neuter, check in at the local dog parks and reunite owners with their pets that decide to take an unaccompanied stroll! With their state-of-the-art, customized Animal Control mobiles which are outfitted with laptops and Internet service, as soon as they pick up an at large animal they are able to punch his or her information into their computer and find out where the animal belongs. Then they take the animal straight home! This simple system helps keep the numbers of animals at the facility down while minimizing the possibility of spreading diseases or parasites. As Bill put it plainly: “Licensing is your ticket home” and the ACO’s seem to be the chauffeurs!

You can read more about Bill Bruce here.

You can also go listen to him speak when he comes to Toronto next month. The ORA (Organization for the Rescue of Animals) has invited him to town and he will be speaking on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel in the Portman Room (220 Bloor Street West) at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $11.30.