Nassau County Animal Services
Press Release
March 19, 2019 11:00 a.m.
Can you cuddle a kitten, play with a puppy, walk a dog or hold a cat?
Nassau County Animal Services has a limited staff and a small group of volunteers. Despite our best efforts some animals only get out of the kennels/cages for ten minutes once or twice a week. If you can spare one hour a week to play with some puppies, take a dog for a short walk or cuddle some cats/kittens they will be better off and you will feel good for the rest of the day.
Because what NCAS needs most are volunteers. Individuals who can give of their time for the love of dogs and cats.
Located at 86078 License Road off SR 200 (near the offices of John M. Drew, Nassau County Tax Collector, NCAS is an agency of the county government.
While open for business Tuesday through Saturday, the staff of NCAS is always working . . . rescuing animals in danger, picking up strays, taking in animal surrenders, investigating abuse cases and participating in adoption events across the county to find homes for what often seems like, countless unwanted animals.
The operating budget for Nassau County Animal Services is $1,268,904.00. That budget is intended to cover costs like testing and vaccinations, food, kitty litter, cleaning supplies, veterinary expenses for injuries, not to mention spay and neutering operations . . . and of course, staff!
The responsibilities at NCAS are huge yet they do what they do with a paid staff of just 16.5 individuals.
The volunteer roster at NCAS recently reached 20. Compare and contrast to the roster of volunteers at the Humane Society of Nassau County, located on Amelia Island on Airport Road. Their roster consists of nearly 700 names.
There, dogs always get walked at least once a day. Dogs at NCAS sometimes wait days to be let out – but it is not for lack of trying.
Said Volunteer Coordinator Susan Bradley, (herself a volunteer and foster parent), “The importance of volunteers . . . is to get these dogs [and cats] some time with people, to get them outside for exercise but also for affection . . . These animals need extra support because they are in these kennels often for months at a time before adoption.”
Bradley goes on to say, “We are doing a better job of getting the dogs out at least once a day for 10-15 minutes. I hope this keeps up. Eventually, I’d like them out twice a day, but that will take many more volunteers and many volunteers that can be regulars.”
The statistics are amazing. NCAS takes in about 2100 animals a year – that’s 175 per month or 43 per week!!!! There are currently 128 dog kennels and 80 for cats. The average length of stay is a little over a month. The longest resident at NCAS was a dog named Avenue who resided there for 800 days.
And, as a county agency, there is no money for public education — not for the value of spaying and neutering, not about protecting pets against the ravages of heartworm, not about responsible pet ownership and certainly not for volunteer recruitment.
Yet the needs of Nassau County Animal Services are indeed great – and the greatest need is for volunteers.
NCAS Director Tim Maguire underscores the importance of human contact. “Animals do not do well in a cage isolated from people and other pets. They can cause both their physical and mental health to deteriorate.”
When asked to describe the signs of kennel stress, the list was long. Maguire noted behaviors that include “figure eight spinning in the kennel, vertical jumping at the kennel gate, repetitive pacing, stress defecation, appetite loss, exaggerated auto-grooming, coat molting, panting, muscle tremors, pupillary dilation,” etc. etc. etc.
Since becoming director several years ago, Maguire inaugurated the practice of play groups. In an attempt to ensure its success, NCAS sought out the advice and guidance of Octavio Martinez, owner of Hot Paws in downtown Fernandina who provided lessons and pointers. Now, the lead kennel attendant manages group play outings but again, staffing is limited – as are the number of volunteers to oversee such interactions.
Other collaborations include working with TAILS which stands for Teaching Animals and Inmates Life Skills. Approved by the Florida Department of Corrections, this program focuses on pairing at-risk dogs (those that are hard to adopt) with inmates. Most recently, NCAS paired Stipple and Pinch, females taken from a hoarding situation here in Nassau County with two inmates. These dogs were terrified of human contact because they had never been socialized.
NCAS also works with Petco – (located just across the street from the shelter) to host regular adoption events. During these adoption events, fees for all adult cats and dogs are covered by Petco. And, as a special bonus, new pet parents receive $450 in discounts for all sorts of Petco products and services.
Just last month, one event resulted in 21 animals being adopted but the all-time record was some 40plus! All pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated and come with an ID chip.
In addition to those collaborations, NCAS also has an active foster program with local residents. At the current time, 82 animals are in foster care.
Animals that are heartworm positive, have behavioral issues or just need a little extra attention or tender-loving care (TLC) to get them to where they are adoptable is what the foster program is all about.
Yet what is needed most are volunteers. Ask anyone in any way connected with Nassau County Animal Services and they will say just that.
And, ask any volunteer why they do what they do and they do it for their love of animals.
Widely respected and revered Terry Griffin has been volunteering for six years and recently had this to say:
“I was at a place in my life without the family commitments of earlier years and free time on the weekend. It felt like it was time to give back. A neighbor volunteering let me go to the shelter with her and I was hooked. It has been a wonderful life enhancing experience and I hope the fur babies get as much out of it as I do.”
Ms. Griffin goes on to counter some commonly heard objections. “I hear many people say they don’t think they could volunteer there because of getting emotionally attached and that they’d want to adopt them all. Those thoughts do enter my head sometimes but I see the volunteer’s contribution as helping the dogs to stay socialized, giving them some love, and allowing them to release some pent-up kennel stress.”
Says another volunteer, Lauren Sanders, “As a personal trainer I spend most of my days helping people learn how to help themselves. Animals . . . cannot help themselves and they need training just as much. So I hope that not only am I helping them exercise, but helping them know that they are loved.” Lauren ‘s fiancé, Frank Antun, accompanies her to NCAS and like Lauren, has fallen in love with his work there. The two of them know practically every dog by name . . . and can tell you all about their personalities.
Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, all ages and occupations.
Take for instance, young Heidi Dinius who had this to say,” I have been volunteering since November 2018, and found out about the shelter through my Girl Scout troop. I was very excited to volunteer, as several other places I’ve lived (being in a military family) only wanted volunteers for cat husbandry, not necessary for play or socialization. That’s what the best part for me is, all play and no cleaning!”
Young Miss Heidi also said, “I’ve learned a lot from volunteering, but most of all I wish to share how you must respect the cats. Cats are just like people with all their varying attitudes, you have to decode their messages and be considerate of their wishes. Not all cats want to be picked up and/or played with; often they only like to sniff a little and maybe a few pets, but for them that’s plenty enough. Always stay aware of body language to make sure the cats are comfortable with having you around, especially if you want to carry them.” Words to live by.
And then there’s Anne Apt, a relative “newbie” to volunteering at the shelter. A successful fundraising professional, Ms. Apt had a few of her own misconceptions. “I wanted to volunteer for the past two or three years but thought I had to commit to a regular day and time. . . I found out I could go any time I was available, seven days a week. I try to go on weekends, holidays and other days I’m not at work,” she commented.
Just fifteen minutes a day . . . for the dogs – a little fresh air, an affectionate pet, a walk “in the woods.” That sort of interaction helps in getting them into a forever home.
And for the kittens and cats . . . just a little tender loving care, getting them socialized, letting them play, holding them until the “purr” kicks in.
The need is great. Remember, the NCAS has 128 dog kennels and 80 for cats.
Says Maguire, “the bottom line is they are all depressed, confused and scared.”
Can you help?
If you can donate some time or if you just want to learn more about the work done at Nassau County Animal Services, go to
https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/845/Animal-Services.