The vital role served by animal care experts
The National Animal Care and Control Association designated the second week of April as National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. The Wayne County commissioners recognized the role of the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.
Animal shelter workers are vital in providing temporary housing, medical care and love to homeless and abandoned animals and finding them forever homes.
In addition to their hands-on work with animals, these professionals play a role in educating pet owners about proper care and responsible pet ownership.
The Wayne County commissioners recently recognized the employees of the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Agency with a proclamation for their commitment to caring for wayward dogs.
“Wayne County would like to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to the dog wardens, officers and staff for the many dedicated and long hours of service they provide in order to serve this community,” commissioner Jonathan Hofstetter said.
The role of an animal care professional is not without its share of challenges. They often grapple with limited resources, financial constraints and staffing shortages that impede their ability to provide optimal care for the animals they serve. They also work long hours in a demanding environment that often faces scrutiny. Despite these challenges they continue to work to ensure the well-being of the animals in their charge.
“Through our constant training in a broad range of topics such as animal behavior, nutrition, medical care, grooming and handling procedures, our technicians provide the best possible care for animals and contribute to the welfare of our communities,” Wayne County Dog Warden and Shelter Director Katelyn Lehman said. “They also advocate for responsible pet ownership, helping pet owners build strong bonds with their dogs that create harmonious relationships within their households.”
Their work also involves responding to calls about stray animals, investigating animal cruelty cases, capturing and rescuing injured or dangerous animals, and enforcing animal-related laws and regulations. They often collaborate with local law-enforcement agencies and veterinary professionals to provide care and support for needy animals.
With compassion, dedication and a sense of responsibility, animal care professionals strive to create safer and more humane environments for the animals they serve.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.