County Animal Shelter Gets Veterinary Inspection

Posted on: Feb 11th, 2011 | News and Announcements

For the second time in about a year, the Alabama Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners called the Mobile County Animal Shelter an example of excellence. On Thursday, in addition to signing off on all requirements for the facility, the veterinary examiner, Dr. Ralph Womer Jr. commented: ?Perhaps the best state-of-the-art shelter of its kind in Alabama. Excellent compliance.? ?I know we have a first-rate facility and first-rate employees who have a passion for animals,? said Commissioner Mike Dean. Last January, a surprise visit by the state examiner?s office brought equally effusive praise: ?It?s the finest facility I?ve seen in the state, by far,? said Dr. David Hayes. In an interview, he explained: ?It?s the quality of the people, the quality of the facility and the quality of the practices. Residents of that county need to be proud of a government that makes that kind of facility possible.? The Mobile County Animal Shelter moved into a new building at 7665 Howells Ferry Road in April 2009. The move made it possible to develop an adoption program addressing the large number of unwanted animals in the community. Since its move, the shelter has been receiving in excess of 10,000 calls a year. In 2010, it adopted out more than 3,200 dogs and cats. ?I have seen the work of our shelter employees and talked to them, and they obviously have turned their passion for animal rescue into results we can all be proud of,? said Commissioner Connie Hudson. The Mobile County Commission is required by the state of Alabama to be the animal control agency for Mobile County. But it is making equal efforts to get all the healthy animals adopted through work with local residents, rescue agencies, and volunteer foster homes. ?We hope we will continue to develop our programs so that we reduce the numbers of abandoned animals and assure that all pets have safe and caring owners,? said Commission president Merceria Ludgood. Anyone who is interested in adopting an animal or volunteering as a foster home to nurse some of the needy animals, should visit the shelter or go to the shelter?s website at www.mobilecountyanimals.com. There are pictures on the website of current animals available for adoption, as well as volunteer applications and general information about pet care.