Secondhand Chicken Sanctuary Co-founder Liz Wheeler will present to Smiths Falls council Monday night highlighting gaps she sees in the proposed backyard chicken by-law set for possible approval.
In an interview with myFM, Wheeler feels council’s ignoring the experts.
Town staff originally recommended not to move forward with the proposed by-law, before council narrowly voted to explore the option and make further amendments.
“We’re not against a chicken by-law, we’re against this chicken by-law,” Wheeler said of her sanctuary.
Their non-profit runs on volunteers and operates out of Rideau Lakes. They currently house 20 rescue chickens.
Wheeler says through a lack of licensing requirements and guidelines, the town is heading for a health crisis.
Wheeler went further on the lack of registration.
Council itself is divided on the matter. Three councillors, Jennifer Miller, Chris McGuire and Peter McKenna, as well as Mayor Shawn Pankow, have voiced their support of the pilot project.
Whereas Councillors Jay Brennan, Stephen Robinson and Dawn Quinn are opposed.
The by-law was initially on the council agenda for April 22nd, where it was expected to be approved on a 4-3 vote, but the matter was deferred to allow for Wheeler’s presentation at the May 5th meeting.
Earlier that morning, Wheeler had issued a press release sharing the sanctuary’s concerns.
Hear our full interview with Wheeler below.
Story by Grant Deme