R&R Pet Paradise continues providing animal control in Wellington North

WELLINGTON NORTH – Animal control services here will continue to be provided by R&R Pet Paradise. 

The township renewed its agreement for the services on Aug. 10, and the cost has gone up from $1,250 per month in 2025 to $1,300 per month under the new agreement. 

Pet Paradise has been providing animal control services in Wellington North since 2016, and the current agreement will expire in 2028.

From 2016 to 2018, the township paid Pet Paradise $1,916/month for animal control services, and by 2024 that rate had grown to $2,500. 

The cost dropped significantly in 2025 because the township opted to stop licensing dogs and amended its animal control bylaw, removing many of the services Pet Paradise was providing including selling tags, enforcing dog waste cleanup and addressing noise complaints.   

Since 2017, Pet Paradise has investigated 18 dog attacks and declared 16 dogs dangerous. Its animal control services also include responding to concerns and  inspecting four licensed kennels in Wellington North. Some of the costs of the services are recovered, such as kennels paying for inspections and owners being billed for dangerous dog designations.  

When Pet Paradise picks up a dog that is in need of emergency vet services, if the animal is in distress and the owner can not be located, the township covers the cost of the veterinary care. 

“We are really lucky,” councillor Lisa Hern said of Pet Paradise’s services. “I think R&R do a really good job.” 

She had to call a few years ago for a stray dog and said Rick Rauwerda of Pet Paradise “showed up really professionally, really quickly, first thing in the morning.” 

Though the dog wasn’t wearing tags, Rauwerda recognized it and knew where it belonged. 

“I think we’re extremely lucky to have someone so competent here,” she said.