We'd like to thank Kimberly Godon from CARA for her kind words about Lee County Animal Control Services in yesterday's Sanford Herald.
In the summer of 2011, the city and county restructured Animal Control Services, dividing duties between the Lee Sheriff’s Department for enforcement and Department of Health for onsite management of the shelter. With deplorable euthanasia numbers of more than 2,000 animals per year, a positive change in management and enforcement had to be implemented, and as of March 2012, it looks like the restructuring is working.
Omayra Zagada, an Animal Control Officer at Lee County Animal Services, works diligently — sending out emails to rescue groups, taking photographs of incoming dogs and cats and posting adoptable animals on the shelter’s own web page (http://leecountync.animalshelternet.com/). Thanks to her continuing efforts, the euthanasia rate is reduced and the adoption rate is increased as countless animals are spared from euthanasia. Because Ms. Zagada is creating a new mindset in overcoming the “catch and kill” mentality that has been so prevalent for so long. Ms. Zagada’s last plea for help emailed to the rescues said, “…thanks, they need us.”
Sgt. Gilbert Rodriquez with the Lee County Sheriff's Department is one of a few deputies tasked with the enforcement side of animal control services. Sgt. Rodriguez has gone beyond the call of duty, assisting residents of Lee County with CARA’s low-cost spay and neuter program application, educating the public on the new animal control ordinances and doing whatever it takes to help keep an animal and its owner together. The last conversation I had with Sgt. Rodriquez, while he was out of town, but trying to assist by phone, stated, “We will do whatever we can to help.”
Both of these public servants exemplify the meaning of this title, going that extra mile to ensure companion animals safe and loving homes. They work endless hours educating our citizens about the importance of spaying or neutering dogs and cats and reducing the overpopulation of pets that fill the shelter to capacity. Between Sgt. Rodriguez working with the public to keep pets out of the shelter, and Ms. Zagada working with the rescues to facilitate the adoption of pets, they are effecting positive change by creating awareness through education and communication, and, best of all, saving lives.
On behalf of Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption, I want to thank these professionals and those like them that are working hard toward our goal of a “no-kill” community.
Kimberly Godon
President, Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption
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