Covid-19 Disaster Response Plan
Lydia Sattler, Director, 3/18/20 Update
To protect our County employees and in regards to safeguarding the health of Jackson County residents, Jackson County Animal Services has implemented an emergency plan to minimize the community spread of Covid-19.
Phase I, Effective 3/16/2020
Owner surrender intake: Cease intake of owner surrendered animals. Alternative options made available to those asking for assistance.
Stray intake: Limited to emergency situations such as dangerous or sick/injured animals.
Any non-emergency stray animals can be posted on JCAS Lost and Found page and will be monitored by JCAS staff to match with lost/found reports internally to return animals directly from “finding” party to “lost” party.
Phase II, Effective 3/18/2020
Effort to reduce number of animals in shelter: Host special Bissell Adoption Event and line up foster homes for any remaining animals. This will make room for any emergency cases that are brought into the shelter.
Current status: As of close of business, all animals have been adopted.
Phase III, Effective 3/19/2020
Public services: The shelter building will be closed to the public until May 1 or until directed by Jackson County Administrator. Notification of operational changes made to public via website and social media.
Community Outreach: To accommodate county residents needing assistance with dog and cat food, JCAS will operate drive-thru service at the shelter on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to Noon during our temporary shutdown.
Animal Control: Officers are working remotely and on call for emergency only. Dangerous dogs, bite cases and injured/sick animal calls only will be responded to. Officers are to wear surgical masks and gloves in the course of their duty and interaction with the public.
Citizens are recommended to post found animals on our social media page to reunite them with their owners. All attempts will be made to reunite owners with their dogs instead of bringing them through the shelter system to reduce human to human contact and potential exposure.
Internal operations: Only essential staff be allowed in building to deep clean all kennels on 3/19/20220.
Same employees are on call for care of any emergency intake that takes place during the temporary shutdown.
