However, I have been inundated the last few days with phone calls, emails and text messages concerning complaints made against Jonesboro Animal Control. Although I have not been personally involved in the matter, I am very aware of Animal Control policies and rescuing dogs. Most of you know that I have made this my lifes passion for more than 30 years, taking over NAFA in 1992. Bashing by individuals or others in rescue is never good. Rescues are like religions, we are all working toward the same goal, we just have different ways of getting there. However, when one organization tries to stir trouble for another, the only ones that get hurt are the animals, especially with regard to social media. Until we have walked in the shoes of someone else, we should not be eager to throw stones. While animal rescue is at the heart of all organizations, there is a big difference between rescues, shelters and animal controls. Each follow a different set of rules and guidelines. NAFA and I work closely with Jonesboro Animal Control because they are one of the top agencies in all of Arkansas. Their facility is not only spotless, but their officers are highly trained and compassionate individuals. They must follow the laws of our city and state, holding any dog running at large for a certain period of time. This allows owners to claim animals that they might have lost days, weeks or even months ago. So they can not just turn over an animal to anyone or any rescue until that time has passed. With regard to sedating or tranquilizing an animal, they must be very careful. Giving an animal sedation in any form can lower body temperature and in the winter months there can be a risk of exposure. Animal control officers are trained to give the appropriate dosage for the first, second and even third use of tranquilizer darts. Individuals should NEVER administer sedatives given for another dog. Sedations are Rx medications and should be treated as such. In addition to caring for the animals, Jonesboro Control officers must also be cautious to avoid traffic accidents caused by scared animals or individuals attempting to help them. Once again, they are highly trained to help keep the animals and the public safe. Apparently, accusations have been made about JAC officers being rude or callous. I have worked along side JAC officers and JPD on numerous occasions and I have always found them to be as considerate as possible. Their job is a difficult one and for the most part citizens dont and cant understand how they must conduct themselves. But I can assure you that they all have the safety and lives of the animals of our community first. They dont get paid enough to be doing this just for the job. Finally, accusations that JAC is a high kill facility is very defamatory and does nothing except hurt the animals and people that they try to help. Their mere existence means that they take thousands of unwanted animals yearly. The do not have the luxury of taking animals only when they have the room or have a place for them to go to another rescue. What individuals that make demeaning accusations dont recognize is that JAC has an amazing adoption and transfer to rescue rate. Over 700 animals were adopted or moved to rescues this year alone. Much of this is done by JAC personnel on their own time. I suggest that before anyone passes on information of a derogatory nature about any rescue, shelter or animal control, that they make sure they have spoken directly with all parties to get all the information. Cyber-bullying is more than just person to person, it can encompass entire organizations.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 12:12:41 +0000
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