The Columbia County Animal Services Advisory Board received an update on animal shelter activities during its meeting on Wednesday, June 14.
Animal Services Manager Linda Glasscock told board members that the rabies clinic on March 11 was a success.
“We administered 71 rabies vaccinations out of 100,” Glasscock said.
The shelter is holding two more rabies clinics, one on June 24 and another on July 8 due to four recent rabies cases, Glasscock said. The one on June 24 will be at the shelter (1940 William Few Parkway) and the one on July 8 will be at Attic Treasures (575 W. Milledgeville Road) in Harlem.
“Attic Treasures is so gracious that they even paid for the rabies shots, so it’s free to the public, that one is,” Glasscock.
The June 24 clinic at the animal shelter will start at 8 a.m. and go until the 100 vaccines are gone. The cost is $5 for the one-year rabies vaccine and can be paid with cash only. The shelter clinic is limited to Columbia County residents, and there is a limit of two pets per house. Cats must be in carriers.
Glasscock also informed board members that the shelter took seven dogs to the Spring Fling at Fort Gordon, and all were adopted.
“We haven’t been able to go out there the last several years, number one due to COVID, number two due to dog restrictions,” Glasscock said. “But they’ve kind of relaxed it a bit.”
Glasscock presented the statistics for March, April and May for adoptions, returned to owner, owner surrender and microchip implants. In March there were 54 adoptions, 40 returned to owner, 27 owner surrenders and 50 microchip implants. For April, there were 82 adoptions, 32 returned to owner, 31 owner surrenders and 61 microchip implants. During May, there were 92 adoptions, 52 returned to owner, 29 owner surrender and 53 microchip implants.
The board was also filled in on a new hire, Jason Rhoad who joined as a field officer, Glasscock said. As of June 9, there were 49 dogs and 51 cats in the shelter, she added.
Board chair Bonnie Whittle asked board members that if there was anything they would like to discuss or if there was anything they think should be done to turn it in for the next board meeting.
The next Columbia County Animal Services Advisory Board meeting will be Sept. 13.
Stephanie Hill is a staff writer covering Columbia County government for The Augusta Press. Reach her at stephanie@theaugustapress.com.
