CLARKSVILLE, TN − Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) had a record month in July with over 540 animals come to their facilityThis corresponds to an average daily intake of over 20 doses.
“We are overwhelmed by the number of animals coming into our shelter. All of the fur babies that come to us have a family somewhere and we need help getting them home. It’s like we’re playing Jenga with these poor animals every day trying to find space and resources. The staff is overwhelmed and the animals are overwhelmed,” said Dave Kaske, director of MCACC.
The county shelter has 45 large dog kennels, 27 small dog/puppy kennels, and 85 cat kennels. The unprecedented influx of pets leaves animal control staff with little room to house stray animals. Individuals who are missing a pet should post the missing pet on the social media pages listed below and visit the shelter at 616 N. Spring Street.
Adding to the challenges is the lack of an on-site veterinarian, which prevents adoptable animals from being spayed or neutered and going home the same day. More than 20 adopted animals are currently waiting to be spayed or neutered at local veterinary practices.
“The lack of retrieval and the number of pets lost from their homes is depleting our animal control team. I am also asking the community for help in sharing information about lost pets and am confident our community will respond. Opening our new facility in fall 2025 with a veterinarian on staff will be invaluable,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A STRAY DOG?
1. Ask your neighbors if they know the dog and who it belongs to.
2. If you know the owner or his address, tell him that the dog has run away or return him to him.
3. Take recognizable photos of the pet and post them on one or more of the local lost and found pet Facebook pages.
4. Complete a Lost Pet Report on the Animal Control website at www.mcgtn.org/animal-control and include a photo of the pet.
5. If possible, have the pet scanned for a microchip at a local veterinary clinic.
6. If an owner cannot be located immediately, contact MCACC at 931-648-5750 and/or bring the pet to the shelter during business hours.
7. The pet owner should be able to provide proof such as a photo, vet records, etc.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A STRAY CAT?
1. Leave them alone. Cats are independent and will generally find their way home.
2. Leave stray wild cats/community cats in the field to improve their chances of survival.
3. Kittens should be left alone as the mother is likely to be out hunting. Nursing kittens brought to the shelter are unlikely to survive without the mother.
4. If you find a cat with a collar or other identification, follow the same steps and post photos on lost and found pet pages.
Microcastration/Sterilization
Spaying and neutering pets is essential. Lost pets without a microchip make it much more difficult for MCACC staff to reunite the pet with its family. Microchipping is an inexpensive, non-invasive procedure that takes just a few minutes. Keep microchip information up to date to facilitate faster reunification.
Neutering is also important to keep the number of stray pets down. Many unwanted pets come to MCACC due to overbreeding and uncontrolled breeding. Please neuter your pet as soon as it is old enough. The benefits far outweigh the risks.
Visit https://mcgtn.org/animal-control for detailed information about MCACC, including volunteer opportunities, contact information, and hours of operation.
