The city of Laval has hired Berger Blanc to control animals for the next two years.

Animal welfare advocates are surprised and worried by the move, especially because of Berger Blanc's history.

Five years ago a Radio Canada investigation exposed horrid conditions at the animal shelter. Many boroughs in Montreal cut their ties with Berger Blanc, and two years ago Laval hired Auberge Zen to deal with stray animals.

Sandie Wand said Auberge Zen shifted its focus to become a non-profit, in order to save more animals.

"Are you a pound, just about animal control? Or are you about saving lives and saving as many lives as possible?" she said.

However this year Laval voted not to renew its contract with Auberge Zen.

Instead it went with the lowest bidder: Berger Blanc.

Animal advocate Johanne Tasse was stunned.

"The animal welfare organizations are very disapointed that in 2016 that a pound has again gotten the contract for the city of Laval," said Tasse.

Laval's deputy mayor, David De Cotis, said he has no concerns about Berger Blanc in 2016.

"I'm a dog owner, I own two dogs, Had I had any doubt that they hadn't learned from the past experience I would't voted in favour of this contract," he said.

Laval is imposing certain conditions on Berger Blanc, including vaccinating all animals, sterilizing them, and not euthanizing any healthy animals.

"We'll even have random visits by members of the police force to make sure that the conditions of the contract are respected," said De Cotis.

Advocates don't believe a for-profit shelter can afford to keep all of its animals alive..

That's where Wand may be able to step in.

Even without Laval's support she wants to continue finding new homes for animals.

"It's all donations, donations, and adoptions," said Wand. "As long as the public in Quebec keeps buying animals pet shops instead of adopting, the cycle continues."

Laval said it plans to build its own animal services facility by 2018.