Item - 2012.LS13.2

The purpose of this report is to provide an update to the Licensing and Standards Committee on the progress of the Animal Services Program review, and to report on the status of the recommendations arising from both the Core Service Review findings by KPMG LLP, and the Audit Report recommendations arising from the Auditor General's review of Toronto Animal Services (TAS) which assessed the effectiveness of certain administrative practices with an emphasis on processes relating to animal licensing, which have been incorporated as significant aspects of the full program review.  

The potential service efficiency opportunities identified by the Licensing and Standards Committee during the Core Service Review (CSR) have been addressed within the context of the AG's recommendations.  Of the eleven (11) recommendations put forward by the Auditor General (AG) as part of the review, eight (8) recommendations have been fully or partially implemented.  A comprehensive licensing strategy, which is inclusive of the remaining three recommendations, also forms a significant part of the full program review.

This report is also intended to address City Council's request for updates on the electronic renewal of applications, donations portal and the TAS' marketing strategy.

The Animal Services Program review will continue with the focus on the licensing and marketing strategies, operational efficiencies, partnership development, and additional service opportunities, and will be reported on at the Licensing and Standards committee meeting in October.