City announces change to Animal Pound Services

Medicine Hat – Following a decision to not renew the contract with Alberta Pound and Rescue Centres (APARC), the City of Medicine Hat has confirmed it will operate the Animal Pound Services facility on an interim basis while assembling a request for proposal (RFP) that will explore potential third-party operators. The current contracted operating agreement will expire on June 7, 2025.

APARC was first awarded a contract to operate the facility in 2016 and a new contract was awarded through an RFP process in 2022 for a three-year period, with the option to renew for an additional two years. The City has notified APARC that the current agreement will not be extended, and that an RFP will be posted in the coming weeks.

“I want to thank APARC for their service and dedication to our community in operating the Animal Pound Services facility since 2016. We appreciate the efforts of APARC staff to care for the animals in the facility and for their work on reuniting animals with owners,” said James Will, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Medicine Hat. “During this transition time, I want to thank the community, other animal welfare organizations and animal healthcare organizations for their patience as we move into a transition period for operations of the facility.”

The City will assume operations of the facility, effective June 8, 2025. During the transition period, residents may see temporary adjustments to operating hours as the team works to establish operations, on an interim basis.

More information will be shared with the community as the transition plan progresses.

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