NEWS RELEASE: TOWN OF ERIN
ERIN – The Town of Erin acknowledges the longstanding presence of the Upper Credit Humane Society (UCHS) at 5383 Trafalgar Road and appreciates the animal welfare work they have contributed to in the communities of Erin, Halton Hills, Acton, Rockwood, and Caledon. As well, Town staff have diligently worked over the last year to review their future plans.
What we know:
· The Town has extended the UCHS lease at 5383 Trafalgar Road multiple times over the years, at a fair and reasonable price.
· The Town will continue to honour the current lease until 2028, allowing UCHS ample time to prepare for their future.
· The Town of Erin has supported the UCHS over the years by providing several community grants.
· The Town places a high priority on upholding its land use planning bylaws, which are essential for ensuring orderly, sustainable, and responsible development. From the outset, the Town has been open and transparent with UCHS, clearly communicating that their current use of the property does not comply with the Town’s Zoning By-law and Official Plan policies. These regulations are not merely procedural — they are critical tools that protect community interests, guide growth, and preserve environmental and cultural assets. Town staff have informed UCHS of the necessary steps to bring the property into compliance. Additionally, part of the site falls under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Authority to ensure the long-term conservation of nature, including associated ecosystem, flood protection and cultural values. All future plans for this property will have to include planning considerations for the protection of those conservation lands.
· To assist the UCHS, the Town has provided numerous resources and support, and has provided a thorough overview of all the options at their disposal, such as
supporting them through a relocation to a more suitable, better location.
· UCHS still has three years on its lease — until May 2028 — to prepare for its future, and the Town is most willing to assist. The Town looks forward to a sound operational and financial proposal from UCHS that will address conformity with Planning Legislation, such as the Zoning By-Law and Official Plan. Land use planning compliance guides development in a way that minimizes environmental impact and protects natural resources like water, wildlife, and soil for present and future residents.
· Any considerations for the potential future sale of the land would be done through a fair and transparent process in open session of Council which would be accessible to all our residents.
Lastly, we would like to remind our residents that UCHS does not provide contractual animal control services or shelter for abandoned or stray dogs on behalf of the Town of Erin. The Town employs an animal control officer responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of dogs and the public. This includes responding to dogs at-large, dog bites, noise complaints related to dogs, stray dogs, and dangerous dogs.
Animals found are returned to their owners or housed in kennels funded directly by the Town. Unlike standard shelter operations, these services are immediate public safety responses and fall outside the scope of UCHS’s current activities. These arrangements are managed and financed by the Town to ensure a timely and professional response.
From a planning standpoint, the current location at the busy intersection of Trafalgar Road and Highway 124 is not a suitable location for an animal shelter. The Town will continue to support UCHS in its efforts to relocate and develop a new facility that can operate outside of the constraints of its current location and remains open to future collaboration.
