Pythons and wolves therapy animals? Whitby special needs group eliciting concerns, support

Wolves, pythons and bobcats, oh my.

A request for an exemption to the Town of Whitby’s prohibited animals bylaw from a not-for-profit that provides programs for people with special needs using therapy animals drew public delegations by the dozens to a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night, with councillors hoping to vote on the issue, only to end the meeting at 11 p.m. because of the “high volume of registered delegates.”

Nova’s Ark, located in Brooklin, has been providing programs for people of all ages and abilities who require a unique and personalized learning environment since 2005. The organization, founded by Mary-Ann and Geoff Nova, has 374 animals in their inventory (as of May), with many of those animals used in animal-assisted therapy.

Seventy-four of the animals on the Cedarbrook Trail property, however, violate the Town’s Prohibited and Regulated Bylaw, including wolves, pythons, eagles, a lynx, a serval and a bobcat.

Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said staff have consulted with industry professionals, considered public submissions, and reviewed emergency procedures and response plans from Nova’s Ark. They have also received written submissions from the Toronto Zoo, Reptilia, Zoocheck, and World Animal Protection Agency, which note the prohibited animals pose a “risk of serious harm” to patrons of Nova’s Ark.

Town staff have recommended the bylaw exemption not be granted. The final decision, however, rests with Council.

The committee shut down at 11 because “it was apparent that due to the high volume of registered delegations the meeting would go very late into the night,” Roy said. “We want Town staff and Members of Council to have coherent and productive discussions on this important matter, which is challenging in the wee hours of the morning.”

The Whitby Mayor also found many of the delegations were spreading “misinformation” on the issue, prompting the need for Roy to clarify.

“I urge the public to become familiar with the facts. I am concerned by the significant amount of misinformation with regards to this issue,” Roy said. “There is no intent for Nova’s Ark to close or stop offering animal-assisted therapy. Most animals on site, such as horses, donkeys, ponies, ferrets, pigs, parrots, and alpacas are permitted under the bylaw.”

“I also want to address misinformation that suggests animals removed from Nova’s Ark will be euthanized. This is not true. The intent has always been for them to be re-homed at safe, appropriate facilities.”

The bylaw exemption request stems from a public complaint in 2021. The Town issued an order in July requiring the prohibited animals be re-homed by January 12, with Nova’s Ark responding by providing an emergency response plan and a series of upgrades to some of the enclosures.

Planned residential growth around the property has also heightened concerns for public safety.

The committee will continue to hear delegations on this request on January 8, with Council expected to vote on the exemption on January 29.