Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Barrow County Animal Control has a number of pets available for adoption although space is limited in the current facility. Animal Control is located at the end of Barrow Park Drive off Pearl Pentecost Road. Call (770) 707-3012 for directions and more information. Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Staff photo - LeAnne Akin Staff photo - LeAnne Akin

Barrow County Animal Control Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Barrow County Animal Control Ordinance and, while most pet owners are diligent in caring for their animals, others are not so education will become a more important for officers as the population - and the pet population - grows.

Currently, because of staffing issues, officers respond to stray and nuisance animal complaints from citizens, investigate complaints regarding animal cruelty, animal bites and rabies exposures.

There is not an officer patrolling in search of animals on the loose as the cartoon characters of the dogcatcher depict, explained Officer Danyal Harper recently when he was the guest speaker at the Barrow County Democratic Party meeting in May. Party chairman Beth Smith said the invitation was extended to better inform members about aspects of the county, in this case, animal control.

Officers conduct semi-annual Rabies Clinics to prevent the spread of disease in the community.

The second annual Dog Gone Summer Festival - complete with a rabies clinic - will be Sept. 27 on Porter Street in Winder.

The Animal Shelter is located at 610 Barrow Park Drive in Winder and may be contacted by phone (770) 307-3012 or fax (770) 867-1660. The Department consists of 8 Full Time employees including the Director, Assistant Director and 6 Animal Control Officers.

In 2007, 3634 people visited the Animal Shelter. Officers impounded 1608 Dogs, 1450 Cats, and 63 other animals for a total of 3121 animals handled in 2007. The Animal Shelter conducted 183 Dog adoptions, 34 Cat adoptions, 248 Dog rescues, 176 Cat rescues, 229 Dog reclaims, and 10 Cat reclaims. Officers responded to 4613 Complaints, which includes 207 Animal Bite Investigations, 6 Positive Rabies Exposure Investigations, and 359 Animal Cruelty Investigations. Officers issued 519 Request For Compliance and 388 Citations for Ordinance violations.

In the 2005 S.P.L.O.S.T. citizens voted for the construction of a new Animal Services Center. Current designs will include 90 Dog Kennels, 150 Puppy and Cat Kennels, adoption visitation areas, and adequate employee office space. The facility will be approximately 13,000 square feet and completion is scheduled for the fall of 2008.

Rabies Clinics were held in March at Fire Station 1-Statham and Station 5-CountyLine and in September at the Dog Gone Summer Festival. The Rabies Voucher Program was implemented at the Animal Shelter and 1year rabies vaccinations were available for $5.00. A total of 354 rabies vaccinations were administered in 2007.

The First Annual Dog Gone Summer Festival was held on Saturday, September 29, 2007, to raise awareness to Animal Services and humane care and treatment for animals. It was held at the Barrow County Leisure Services Center at Victor Lord Park in Winder.

The Adoption Program contracted with Four Paws Animal Hospital includes an examination, inhalant anesthesia, sterilization, vital sign monitoring, 1 year Rabies vaccination, Distemper vaccination, and a Home Again Microchip. A total of 223 animals were adopted in 2007. Adoptable animals may be viewed On - Line at www.petfinder.com.

Officers made educational presentations at Haymon Morris Middle School, Bethlehem First Methodist Church Preschool, the Montessori School, Public Safety Day at Holly Hill Mall, and the Barrow Regional Medical Center. Educational booths were set up at the Chautauqua Festival and the Festival of Lights in Winder.

Originally published Wednesday, May 21, 2008