COQUITLAM, B.C., Aug. 14, 2023 – The Coquitlam Animal Shelter will soon be expanding its service area beyond the Tri-Cities by providing animal care services for Pitt Meadows.
Coquitlam Animal Shelter will begin providing adoption, stray impound and other related animal care services to the City of Pitt Meadows on Aug. 28, following a five-year agreement finalized in August 2023. Located at 500 Mariner Way, the shelter has been serving Coquitlam and Port Moody for over 20 years since opening in 2002, and started also serving Port Coquitlam in early 2022.
New Agreement Benefits Both Communities
The new contract builds on the existing relationship between Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows, whose staff work together on common issues. Under the agreement, Coquitlam will provide sheltering services for dogs while Pitt Meadows will continue to manage its own bylaw enforcement and animal control services, dog licensing and removal of deceased animals from public spaces.
The mutually beneficial agreement between the two cities provides Coquitlam Animal Shelter with additional contract revenue to fund new and existing services while meeting Pitt Meadows’ requirement for a local, well-managed sheltering service.
Quotes
“As a proud dog owner, I’m pleased to see the Coquitlam Animal Shelter providing services to support Pitt Meadows, in addition to our neighbouring Tri-Cities communities. The new agreement will build on the existing relationship between the two cities and provide added revenue to support operations at the Shelter, as well as the furry, feathered and scaled guests.” – Mayor Richard Stewart, City of Coquitlam
“Pets are an important part of family. Council is pleased that Pitt Meadows animal shelter services will be provided by a well established municipally operated shelter that also services neighbouring communities.” – Mayor Nicole MacDonald, City of Pitt Meadows.
Helping the Furry and Feathered in the Tri-Cities and Pitt Meadows
Coquitlam Animal Shelter staff work hard to find the best homes for domestic pets. The shelter also impounds and cares for stray animals and abandoned animals, picks up deceased animals found in Coquitlam, offers cremation services and operates the City Kennels dog boarding service.
Donations of cash and supplies for pets are welcomed. In addition to supporting the animals in care, the shelter also uses these goods towards a Pet Pantry that provides surplus donated pet food and supplies to owners who are struggling financially.
Find your next Fur-ever Friend
Coquitlam Animal Shelter is currently open for viewing adoptable cats and small animals on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dog viewing is by approved application only.
Visit coquitlam.ca/shelter for information about services, applications and a link to view adoptable animals.
Media contacts:
Aaron Hilgerdenaar
Bylaw Enforcement & Animal Services Manager
City of Coquitlam
ahilgerdenaar@coquitlam.ca
604-927-7387
Carolyn Baldridge
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-kwuh-tlum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), and other Coast Salish Peoples.