Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

It began 30 years agoand it comes to an end today. Vicki Kyle, a woman who has provided animal control for a number of jurisdictions, is calling it a career.

Kyle started helping her father with his animal control contracts he held with various municipalities decades ago. She took on this work permanently when he passed away.

She’s been the person on call for animal control for 10 different municipalities, including Enniskillen, Warwick and Petrolia and parts of Chatham-Kent, Elgin and Middlesex counties.

“It was a wonderful job, “ Kyle said, saying it wasn’t necessarily difficult but it did take a lot of her time since she was always on call.

“I think I spoiled them,” she said.

While many people would know Kyle from her work catching loose dogs or enforcing local bylaws, she also re-homes dogs through the Glencoe Animal Shelter.

The animal shelter in Glencoe is currently up for sale. Kyle plans to travel while also “do nothing for awhile.” She has a daughter living in the United States who she looks forward to visiting.

Kyle doesn’t believe she will be idle for long, calling the next stage in her life “retirement for now.”

“It is going to be fun,” Kyle said.

Meantime, Lambton municipalities are working together to find a new animal control officer. Enniskillen will use a local dog kennel and its staff to provide animal control for six months until a permanent solution can be found.