The Far North District Council is making 'pleasing progress' in the way in which it provides for impounded dogs at Horeke and Kaitaia, according to SPCA Auckland's chief inspector Greg Reid.
SPCA representatives and council animal management staff met last week to discuss issues the SPCA had raised after inspecting the northern dog shelter in Kaitaia in October last year.
A notice was issued under the Animal Welfare Act, requiring the council to improve its records regarding the condition of dogs admitted to the shelter, establish a process for monitoring dogs' welfare, develop protocols to manage disease outbreaks or emergencies, exercise the dogs daily and install visual barriers between cages to reduce aggressive behaviour.
Reid said last week that the council had made some progress in terms of improving systems, and the SPCA was pleased with what it was doing to address concerns.
It was now planned to cancel the notice, but the shelters would undergo regular inspections, with issues to be addressed as they arise. A memorandum of understanding would also be developed.