By Nicole June
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) recently released the organization’s annual statistics report, which shows improvements in key areas.
The 2018 Field and Shelter Report contains statistics on service calls and shelter services such as the number of visitors, the number of animals impounded, the number of intakes, owner surrenders, adoptions, euthanasia rates, and pet registrations.
According to the report, the euthanasia rate due to no space available at the shelter was reduced by 71 percent during the first quarter of 2018. Of the 368 dogs euthanized, 56 percent were for behavior or aggression problems that made the dogs un-adoptable or unsuitable for rescue, MCACC said.
In 2018, MCACC responded to a total of 5,173 field calls and took in 4,260 animals. Of the animals taken in, 44 percent were cats and kittens, 55 percent were dogs and puppies and 1 percent were other animals.
Since March 2018, the shelter saw over 15,000 visitors and was able to adopt out 1,512 animals in 2018, which is a five percent increase from 2017.
MCACC Director Dave Kaske, who took over the position in March of 2018, has implemented several new changes. Kaske initiated a program that asks owners surrendering their pets to provide an explanation for the surrender while offering options to help people to keep their pets. Those who wish to surrender an animal must make an appointment before coming to the shelter. In addition, those who are surrendering their pets must now show proof of residence.
“We are dedicated to helping pet owners with re-homing, vetting, or finding ways for them to keep their pet. Our goal is to find new homes for these pets or find ways to help pet owners to keep their pets because we understand how difficult it is to give them up,” Kaske said.
Mandatory microchipping of cats and dogs began in September 2018 for those who reclaim their pets or adopt. Kaske also extended the shelter’s hours and established a specific drop off day and time-frame for pet surrenders.
“Change is never easy, but we are making positive strides for the animals and pet owners,” Kaske said. “We have some fantastic employees and volunteers at MCACC who have worked hard to make these transitions successful. As we move forward, we realize the gains may not be as significant for future reports but it will always be our goal to make improvements that work for the animals and our community in general.”
As a result of these efforts, MCACC said owner surrenders decreased by 43 percent during the third quarter of 2018.
Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett said he is proud of the work MCACC is doing.
“We are not yet where we want to be, but Montgomery County is making progress!” he said.
Since some of the initiatives and changes did not start until after Kaske began, a full year of stats will not be realized in some areas until the 2019 report is available.
If you are interested in adopting, volunteering, and/or donating to MCACC, call 931-648-5750 or visit mcgtn.org/animal-control. Information about the shelter is also regularly posted on Facebook. The shelter is located at 616 N. Spring Street.