The Town of Gravenhurst has decided to exempt a local business owner from its exotic animal bylaw to allow for educational events.
During their most recent meeting, Gravenhurst council approved an exemption to the native and non-native animals bylaw for Amanda’s Exotic Animals.
Amanda Foley, the owner of Amanda’s Extotic Animals, made a presentation to council to explain her plans in Gravenhurst.
The business includes various reptiles and amphibians and Foley said her program teaches fun facts, conservation information, disease and illness prevention for animals, reptiles and amphibians and the importance of proper pet care.
Foley has completed her animal care program at Sheridan College and has volunteered with other educational groups including Reptile Kingston run through the OSPCA and Emily Little, the owner and operator of Little Reptile Queen out of Kelowna, British Columbia, council heard.
Foley said she would like to bring animal education to Gravenhurst. The events that she hosts are mainly geared to audiences that are between the ages of four and 15 years of age. However, there have been times when she has participated in Town events for the public, as well as attending senior residences, council heard.
While visiting the Town of Gravenhurst, Foley will ensure that all animals will be contained within properly enclosed storage containers and that all PPE will be provided for onsite, read a staff report.
Foley has run similar educational programs at Santa’s Village in Bracebridge in the past but an exemption is required to bring exotic animals into most municipalities. A similar exemption request in Bracebridge was originally denied by the council, before being reversed after much debate.
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