TIMMINS -- The City of Timmins' decision to split its animal control and pound services contract in two may force the Timmins and District Humane Society to lay off its two animal control officers.

City council discussed the new tender model at its Tuesday meeting, stating the move will save over $80,000 over the new three-year contract, starting Jan. 1.

However, the change means the humane society will lose out on over $100,000 next year, which will put strain on its budget to keep its animal control staff employed in other roles.

"We're hoping that we will be able to re-allocate staff to a position where they're able to help out with additional programs that we will be able to focus on here at the shelter," said the humane society's executive director, Alicia Santamaria. "With it being a significant cut to the budget, we really don't know how things may end up."

Compared to the $195,000 cost for both services provided by the humane society in 2020, the 2021 costs to the city will total over $163,000 by giving the humane society the pound contract and PADS-K9 Protection Detection Services the animal control contract — both in the $81,000 range in year one and increasing marginally over the next two years.

The human society offered the lowest package for both services at around $187,000 for the first year, but council noted that the savings would have been too slim.

"Understanding the fiscal constraints on our operating budget due to COVID-19, it seemed that there was an opportunity to look at trying to change the way we provide a service," said city clerk Steph Palmateer at the meeting. “I'm happy to say that putting the tender out in the format we did, it did result in an annual saving."

Once its animal control contract with the city is up on Dec. 31, Santamaria said the humane society will focus on the well-being of animals that enter its shelter.

As for day-to-day operations, she said the humane society has been wrapping up its Christmas adoption campaigns. The shelter is reaching capacity for cats at the moment, Santamaria said, but is seeing an increase in adoptions for dogs.

More people seem to be looking for companions this holiday season, she said, and so the humane society will continue its mission to provide animals safe spaces and loving homes.

"Everything's going great at the shelter, continuing with animal care just as normal," Santamaria said.