Animal Control Center now open for business
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Under the supervision of animal control officer Charles Smith, the county has been taking animals for some time, but since construction was not finished until recently, the center was not technically open to the public.
The center can be reached by phone at 507-DOGS (3647).
The county?s decision to build its own animal control center was a direct result of the widely publicized battles over the past few years between county government and the local Humane Society.
The Humane Society?s requests for increased funding, and multiple closures due to lack of funds, led county officials to investigate the possibility of opening a facility which would function as a department under the control of county government. Officials felt such a facility would be easier to manage, more efficient, and therefore more economical to fund.
Work began on the shelter in January of this year after local business Superior Walls donated and installed the walls for the structure. Work continued during the summer, with a good portion of the materials and labor also being donated by various local individuals and businesses.
Smith says the center has been receiving a number of calls even before the center officially opened and its phone number was published.
?It?s over 20 calls a day most of the time,? Smith said. ?We already have calls to pick up more animals than we have room for.?
The building currently has 33 kennels and eight cat cages, some of which have to be reserved for sick or quarantined animals. According to Smith, the facility is currently at full capacity.
As originally reported, the county will not be running a no-kill shelter, and Smith says almost 200 animals have been euthanized so far in the last seven months since the county has been picking up animals.
Smith has drawn up formal standard operating procedures and policies for the center which were approved by county officials at a meeting at the center Tuesday to announce its official opening.
The center?s stated mission is as follows:
? To remove stray animals and to provide essential animal control to the residents of Warren County through the enforcement of animal-related codes as stated in the Tennessee Code and County Resolution.
? To maintain an animal control center in accordance with the provision of the policies of the Animal Control Department and state guidelines that include, but is not limited to, holding of animals impounded under this act, quarantine of rabies-suspect animals, and disposition of impounded animals by adoption, redemption, or humane euthanization.
The policy also says the center will not hold any animal over five days unless directed by the county executive, the Warren County Commission, the Animal Control Oversight Committee, the county judicial system or the animal control director. After five days, animals will be euthanized unless claimed or adopted.
Smith says the center will adopt animals, and a formal adoption contract has been drawn up for that purpose.
?We are going to adopt animals out on a limited basis,? Smith said. ?But that is not going to be our mission, our priority, but we will do that as often as we can.?
Those wishing to adopt must sign a contract agreeing to have the animal spayed or neutered within 30 days if the animal is sexually mature, or within 30 days after the animal reaches 6 months of age.
There will be a nominal fee for adoption to cover handling and rabies vaccination, but upon bringing the required proof the animal has been spayed or neutered, a portion of that fee will be refunded. Smith says records will be kept and the center will follow up to make sure the animal is spayed or neutered.
The policy also states the center?s function is to pick up stray animals and no personal animals will be taken unless the center is directed to do so.
?This is not going to be a place for people to drop off their unwanted pets,? Smith said. ?We are here to provide animal control for the citizens of Warren County.?
Smith says there have already been incidents of individuals dumping animals at the center after hours, which is illegal, but measures are going to be taken to prevent this.
?We are going to install security cameras in the area and anyone caught doing this will be prosecuted and fined,? Smith said.
County Executive Kenneth Rogers said the center has been very much a community effort, and he is pleased with the result.
?We want to thank everyone who has donated their time and materials out here,? Rogers said. ?Superior Walls installed erected the building. General Shale, Donnie Redmond, donated the blocks, and we just want to thank anyone who offered a helping hand.?
There are currently two employees at the center, Smith and Joey Williamson, but Smith says the county would like to encourage volunteers to come and work at the center, and applications are available for that.
The center?s hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday by appointment only. For more information on fees and regulations, or to report stray animals, call 507-DOGS (3647).