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- Kona Sankey |
If the Pet-Friendly Penticton project has made one thing clear, it's that this community is passionate about their pets – Pets are family!
Do you share that passion? Tell us about the pets in your life!
If you don't have pets at home, let us know how animals have been important in your life.
I have lived in Penticton for 31 years and have had pets for most of those years. I mainly had dogs which usually where rescue dogs or from the SPCA. My current dog is a Yorkie (Klara).
Penticton's pet-amenities are a regular point of contention due to issues around
maintenance, safety, and design/materials. Many Penticton residents regularly travel to surrounding communities across the Okanagan Valley for their dog parks and beaches rather than going to our local places due to these issues.
If elected, what solutions might you propose to address the concerns of residents local pet-amenities?
What are your thoughts on the economic impact of non-use on our local pet-amenities and residents regularly commuting for preferable options?
We definitely could use more dog parks with actual grass and larger swimming areas. I would also like to see more pathway systems within the city and at our outer limits that could provide more options for people to walk (with or without their dogs) so we can be more of a healthy and active community.
Ontario's Residential Tenancy Act, Section 14, states that a Landlord cannot prevent a tenant from owning pets. Meanwhile, pets are being surrendered daily, all over BC, because their owners cannot find pet-friendly housing. Penticton faces additional pressure for housing as we have some of the highest rent rates in Canada, and a severe shortage on long-term and year-round rentals of any variety.
While a change to the Residential Tenancy Act is a provincial government matter, municipal government can still move to include/promote similar clauses on a local scale, and has the ability to push in support of such a change if a Bill were proposed.
What are your thoughts on revising the Residential Tenancy Act in BC, to be like that of Ontario, in regards to pets and rentals?
I think there needs to be revisions the Tenancy Act to help address our housing shortage and address renters with pets. Perhaps one solution is a higher damage deposit for pet owners instead of just no pets.
Penticton doesn't have an emergency veterinary clinic!
If something happens and an animal needs to see a vet in the evenings, on weekends or on holidays, residents need to drive an hour out of Penticton in order to reach help. Many pets do not make it, and many more don't because their human doesn't have access to transportation.
Were you aware of this situation?
When vital and time sensitive services are missing from a community, what do you feel are a City Council's responsibilities in regards to communication and/or action?
Yes I am aware of the problem and thankful it hasn't been a real-life experience for me. There is limited actions a council can take as the service is provided by a business and usually where is a need/demand an entrepreneur isn't too far behind. Perhaps the economic development officer with the city can help facilitate a meeting with the current veterinarian clinics to some sort of temporary solution.
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