Congratulations & Thank You to Whitby Town Council and Staff for Protecting Children and Animals
On Monday January 8th, the Town of Whitby’s Committee of the Whole said NO to prohibited wild and exotic animals staying at the Nova’s Ark children’s camp. The facility houses 350 animals representing a wide variety of species, including many prohibited exotic animals that pose a health hazard or are dangerous to humans. Many of Nova’s Ark’s programs use the animals, including dangerous species, for interactions with children and youth, both in and out of their cages and enclosures. 
The Town of Whitby had been considering the Nova’s Ark issue after it applied for an exemption to the Town’s Prohibited & Regulated Animals Bylaw. The request prompted a comprehensive review of the facility by Town Staff that would lead to a staff report and recommendation.
Because of our extensive experience addressing these kinds of municipal exotic animal issues, Zoocheck provided investigative and technical information, expert consultants and other resources to inform the staff review process. Local residents, other animal welfare NGOs, independent experts, representatives of accredited sanctuaries and zoos, and animal-assisted therapy specialists also expressed concern about the Nova’s Ark operation. Those concerns included exposing children to dangerous animals, animal welfare and more.
The Nova’s Ark issue was to be dealt with on January 8th at a Town of Whitby Committee of the Whole meeting, but one day prior (Sunday January 7th), Nova’s Ark submitted a letter to the Town of Whitby rescinding their request for an exemption to Whitby’s Prohibited & Regulated Animals By-law.
The Nova’s Ark letter resulted in a Memorandum to Council, from Legal and Enforcement Services, at the January 8th Committee meeting, with a new recommended motion to consider. It read:
1. That Council receive and accept Correspondence #2024-22 from Nova’s Ark withdrawing its request for an exemption to the Prohibited & Regulated Animals Bylaw: and,
2. That Council refers Correspondence #2024-22 and Report LS 12-23 to Staff to manage in accordance with the July 13, 2023 Order to Comply.
The motion was supported by the Committee and staff has indicated it has already received preliminary information from Nova’s Ark regarding moving the prohibited animals out.
Thanks go out to Whitby Town Council and Town Staff for making a reasoned, appropriate and positive decision based on facts and not emotion. It is a decision that will protect children and animals, and one that will be noticed by other jurisdictions throughout Ontario and across the country.
And last but not least
Zoocheck wants to thank all of the residents, other organizations and individuals that participated in bringing this issue to a satisfactory resolution. THANK YOU!