Residents near a North Whitby non-profit that uses healing animals in systems for other people with special wishes are now protected from attacks by pythons and lynxes after Nova’s Ark withdrew its application for exemption from the city’s prohibited and regulated animals law.
Nova’s Ark is a Brooklyn-based registered charity that provides systems for others of all abilities, adding animal-assisted therapy, with 355 animals on-site, 74 of which violate regulations, adding wolves, pythons, a lynx, a serval, and a bobcat.
The request for an exemption to Whitby’s prohibited animals bylaw drew public delegations by the dozens to a Committee of the Whole Committee of the Whole meeting last month, with “high volume of registered delegates” delaying the scheduled vote on the issue to January 29.
Nova’s Ark said the banned animals would now be rehoused and provided with adequate facilities “as soon as possible. “
The majority of animals on site, such as horses, donkeys, ponies, ferrets, pigs, and alpacas are permitted under the bylaw and will remain at Nova’s Ark.
Nova’s Ark has been providing programs for people of all ages and abilities who require a unique and personalized learning environment since 2005. The organization, founded by Mary-Ann and Geoff Nova, use many of their 374 animals (as of May), in animal-assisted therapy – including several of the creatures prohibited under the bylaw.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said she had consulted with industry professionals (the World Animal Protection Agency said the banned animals posed a “risk of serious harm” to consumers) as well as the public before issuing the order.
The waiver request stems from a public complaint in 2021.
“I want to thank the team at Nova’s Ark for their cooperation on this matter and their ongoing commitment to providing therapy and programming that meets the individual needs of so many people in our community.”