Montgomery County Animal Care and Control
in coordination with
VA PAWS Shelter Outreach Program

New Philosophy/New Name:

Montgomery County Animal Control, is proposing a new philosophy of service to match its new name Montgomery County Animal CARE and Control. Over the years animal control services have been seen by many as either a public health/disease control service or as law enforcement. Times have changed, and although there are clear public health and law enforcement aspects to it's mandates, MCFC&C is changing both it's name and philosophy of service to more accurately address its state mandates, as well as meet public expectation for animal welfare and control.

Mission:

Our mission is to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of pets and people in Montgomery County, VA

Vision:

We envision the day when:

Montgomery County citizens, their property, and neighborhoods will be safe
from the dangers and nuisances of irresponsible pet guardianship.

Animals will not suffer due to abuse, neglect, ignorance; and every pet born
will be assured of a good home and care during its natural life.

MAC&C's new approach to delivering animal care and control services will reflect the delicate balance that exists between animal welfare and animal control. We will strive to be proactive and offer programs to prevent problems before they occur, such as:

• Sterilization prior to adoption = less unwanted pets = less euthanasia
• Outreach program to promote responsible pet ownership = less pet relinquishment and neglect
• Education creating more compassionate community = win-win for pets and people

Strategic Planning:

In coordination with MCFAC&C, MCAC&C will complete an extensive strategic planning process that will set the future tone and direction of the services provided in Montgomery County. Throughout this process we will adopt approaches to ensure that we implement measurable goals and remain accountable for achieving results. The key strategic issues we will focus on over then next five years include:

• Pet population growth and the corresponding goal of a 'no-kill of adoptable animals' community
• The challenge of hiring and retaining qualified, committed staff and volunteers
• The community's increasing expectation for compassionate, efficient customer service
• Alternative funding for innovative solutions
• Expanding and improving the organization's infrastructure

MCAC&C hopes to offer a variety of services to the community including:

• Adoption programs to place more animals in loving homes
• Basic vaccinations and shelter medicine for sheltered animals
• Shelter for lost and stray animals complete with bottomless water and food
• Spay and neuter surgery to prevent more unwanted animals
• Accept cats into the facility and provide assistance to community with feral cats
• Help for families who are having trouble caring for their pet (see Project Safety Net)

Contacts:

Montgomery County Animal Control:
Chief Animal Control Officer Harvey Waddell
(540) 382-5795

Friends of Animal Care & Control Montgomery County, VA - (A 501c3 organization)
Jason Shelton
jashelto@vt.edu

Rachael Herman
heltz@vt.edu