Contract for Animal Control Closer for City

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – The City of Wisconsin Rapids is one step closer to having a contract for animal control after the Finance and Property Committee meeting Tuesday night. The committee consists of Chairperson Jake Cattanach, and members Patrick Delaney and Jeff Penzkover. In closed session, they discussed the possible contract with the South Wood County Humane Society.

Discussion after closed session

After the meeting resumed, SWCHS Board President, Tim Kriz spoke to the committee before they voted. He stated, “A lot of the objections I’ve heard and things are about the strays that come to the shelter. I don’t know if you’re aware, but that is the small number of what we deal with for animal control.”

Kriz shared that over two-thirds of the animals they deal with are taken care of on the streets. The shelter staff do this in an effort to keep costs as low as possible. They don’t take the animals to the shelter if they don’t need to be there. 

In his closing statement, Kriz said, “My only suggestion for the committee tonight, I firmly believe the vast majority of Wisconsin Rapids residents want a contract, your constituents the ones that voted you in. I know that there’s personal opinions, views, whatever. I’m asking, just set them aside. Vote for this and let’s work this out throughout the year. The citizens want it.”

Motion Passes 2-1

Jake Cattanach made the motion to approve the contract with SWCHS and Jeff Penzkover made a second. The motion was put to a vote and it passed two to one. Patrick Delaney voted no on approving the contract with SWCHS. The next item on the agenda was discussing alternative plans for animal control if the full council does not approve the contract with SWCHS. Cattanach asked if anyone wanted to speak to alternative plans. No one had anything to contribute.

The next full council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. They will hold the vote at that time to decide on the contract for animal control for the city.

More information

You can read more about this issue in an article published on November 19th. Find information on the City Budget here and here.

You can find which Wisconsin Rapids City district you reside in here. If you want to contact your Alderperson, you can find that information on the City website here.