(Photo supplied by Last Chance Cat Ranch)

By David Opinko

City issues Stop Order to Last Chance Cat Ranch, appeal to be heard

Mar 9, 2022 | 12:46 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A local animal rescue is on the ropes.

The City of Lethbridge has issued a Stop Order to the Last Chance Cat Ranch in a letter dated February 17, 2022.

“We have reason to believe you and/or The Last Chance Cat Ranch (LCCR) is operating an animal rescue, which falls within the land use of Animal Care Major at the above-noted address (the “Premises”) without the requisite Development Permit or rezoning,” reads a portion of the Stop Order.

“We also have reason to believe that volunteers are attending at the Premises to engage in services for LCCR and an offensive odour is present at the above-noted address and that current use and odour is having an offensive impact on neighbouring communities.”

LCCR Founder Elizabeth Ginn says she was shocked to read this notice and has been trying to wrap her head around things for the last few days.

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She has operated LCCR in the same location for about 18 years and has never had an issue regarding permits or zoning.

Ginn believes this all stems from her neighbour as there have been numerous conflicts between the two since they moved in next to LCCR a few years ago.

The neighbour spoke to Lethbridge City Council last spring, complaining about the smell and other concerns they had. A couple of months ago, Mayor Blaine Hyggen and Council Ryan Parker walked through the property and Ginn claims they were “impressed and pleased and shocked” by how clean the house was and how well-taken care of the cats were.

However, it is Ginn’s belief that the Stop Order was issued as a result of her neighbour’s complaints but is one that may result in her having to move the rescue.

There are a few provisions in the Stop Order that she was particularly concerned about.

Immediately, LCCR must have no more than two volunteers on site per day, something that Ginn says is simply not enough.

“That’s the city putting us into a position of animal neglect and abuse because there’s no way the two volunteers can go at that house in a day and do everything that has to be done.”

Currently, they have about 35 cats, some of whom have more complex needs and require frequent care.

LCCR has around 80 volunteers with at least six-to-eight people visiting the rescue on any given day. Any less than that, she says, is not acceptable.

“It’s not an animal sitting in cages where you put in a bowl of dry food and a bowl of water and leave them with no bedding, no choice, you know? So, I don’t know what they’re trying to model it after, you know? Unawareness, lack of knowledge as to what it takes to care for the cats in rescue.”

Another immediate provision is that LCCR will have to limit the number of food deliveries they receive to no more than once every seven days.

Ginn says this order is “mind-boggling” and does not make any sense.

While they pick up food themselves every now and then, people and companies from across Alberta drop off donations as they see fit, both big and small.

“Do we tell them that they can’t do that anymore?”

She also failed to understand why the municipality is able to restrict the number of people attending her property while others who sell illicit substances have dozens of people coming in and out every day while little to nothing is done about it.

Within 30 days of the Stop Order being issued, LCCR will have to cease all emissions of “offensive odours” or provide a plan to do so in 20 days. They will also have one month to remove all advertisements and references to the premises from the LCCR website and social media platforms.

One year from now, the city has ordered LCCR to cease operations at their current location or bring it into compliance with the necessary permits.

Ginn has launched an appeal to city council, which will be heard on March 31, 2022, at 4:00 pm. Despite this, she said she will likely have to move elsewhere in Lethbridge.

LNN obtained the following statement from the City of Lethbridge on this matter:

“The Last Chance Cat Ranch has been issued a phased in stop order for being in violation with the City’s Land Use Bylaw. The specifics of the order have been provided to the organization and they have been given time to make this transition to ensure the animals can be cared for.

When the City issues a stop order, there is an operational process that is followed by City staff. To be fair to all parties, there is also a clearly defined appeal process through the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB). At this time, the Last Chance Cat Ranch has filed an appeal to the SDAB and that process will be followed, as per legislation. The date of that appeal is being set at this time, working with the Last Chance Cat Ranch to determine an appropriate time.

The work of the Last Chance Cat Ranch has been a valued service in our community and we thank the dedicated volunteers that have helped the organization over the years.”

LCCR has made a lengthy Facebook post about the Stop Order and issues surrounding it. You can read it in full below:

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