An Inside Look: Animal Control in Rowan County
An Inside Look: Animal Control in Rowan County
Article by Savannah Jackson
Serving the animal control needs of the county promotes the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens Rowan County and ensures the humane treatment of animals within the county.
Who oversees and provides animal control services in Rowan County?
Here in Rowan County, our animal control facility is the Tri-County Animal Shelter, which is maintained by the Rowan County Fiscal Court. The Animal Control Officer (ACO) is a vital link to our success and efficiency in animal control. The ACO acts as a department head over the facility and ensures the safety of our citizens and welfare of our animals. They have the authority to operate the Shelter in accordance with relevant law, policy, and established procedures to ensure safe and efficient operation on a continuing basis. The ACO reports to the Judge-Executive.
What animal control services are provided?
The Tri-County Animal Shelter accepts both dogs and cats. Animals are separated by sex and species. They house strays admitted into the Shelter by the ACO, owner seizures, and owner surrenders from Rowan County residents. For each animal accepted into the Shelter, records are maintained including the date impounded, location where the animal was found or picked up (for strays), sex of the animal and spay/neuter status, breed or description, and date reclaimed, adopted, rescued, or euthanized. We strive to be no-kill. Intake information is posted periodically on the Tri-County Animal Shelter Facebook page @RowanDogPound and our website rcky.us/animal-control. Each of these dogs and cats gets bathed, fed, sheltered, treated, vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed/neutered before adoption. The Rowan County Fiscal Court and our dedicated employees at the shelter work hard to provide this service, operate the facility, and care for these animals.
What about sick animals?
When a sick or injured animal is picked up, every precaution will be taken when moving or transporting the animal not to compound its condition. Injury and illness shall be documented and the ACO shall initiate veterinary consultation. The Tri-County Animal Shelter provides separate runs or holding areas for ill or injured animals who require quarantine. An ill or injured animal shall be treated with proper veterinary care pursuant to applicable law.
What about dangerous animals?
If a dog or cat admitted to the Shelter is declared “dangerous” or “vicious”, it is visibly posted on the Kennel Card and there is a padlock on the kennel door with a “WARNING” sign placed on the front of the kennel. Animals determined by the ACO or consulting veterinarian to be dangerous to staff, volunteers, or members of the public may be euthanized using humane methods specified as acceptable by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Who do I need to call to report an animal-related nuisance?
If you’re in the city limits of the City of Morehead, dog reports should be made to the city’s animal control at 606-548-1348. If you’re outside of Morehead’s city limits and want to report a dog or cat related concern, call the Tri-County Animal Shelter at 606-784-4930. Livestock concerns, such as livestock in the road, should be reported to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department at 606-784-5446. Wild animal/game concerns should be reported to the Department of Fish and Wildlife at 502-564-3400 or 1-800-858-1549.
What are the Tri-County Animal Shelter’s statistics?
From the start of the year (January 2023) to the time of publishing (August 25, 2023), 937 animals entered the Tri-County Animal Shelter. 332 animals, including 217 dogs and 115 cats, were adopted directly from the Shelter. 85 dogs and 3 cats (88 animals total) were reclaimed by their owners. 205 dogs and 155 cats were rescued from the Shelter by approved 501(c)3 organizations, a total of 360 animals rescued. There are currently 49 dogs and 77 cats in the Shelter at the time of publishing.
How do these animal rescues fit into the picture?
Approved 501(c)3 organizations help Tri-County facilitate adoptions. They also may transfer animals to foster homes preceding adoption. This creates more space in the shelter and therefore allows more animals’ lives to be saved. We could not rehome nearly as many animals without the help of these organizations, so we thank them for their efforts and ask that they keep up the good work.
What do I need to do to adopt a dog or cat?
Contact the Tri-County Animal Shelter at 606-784-4930 or visit them at 2450 KY 519 South in Clearfield, Kentucky. They are open every day of the week from 8 AM- 4 PM, with a one-hour lunch closure from noon to 1 PM on weekends. If you would like to give a better life to an animal in Rowan County, please consider adopting a shelter pet into your loving home today.