Strategic Plan

Introduction

Montgomery County Animal Care and Control has provided professional and compassionate service to the Montgomery County and Clarksville area community for over 40 years.  MCACC has grown rapidly over the last 10 years due to the increased growth and popularity of the Clarksville/Montgomery County communities.  MCACC has strived to alter operational needs and future growth outlook to keep up with the demand related to animal health, welfare, and safety concerns in Montgomery County communities.

In an effort to continue providing the highest level of professional and compassionate services coupled with the rapid growth of our community, MCACC has recognized the need and vision to develop a new mission, vision and strategic plan to carry into the future.  This Strategic Plan shall address and prioritize operating and capital recommendations as well as create a new strategy to provide the best possible service to this community and to ultimately achieve the covered “No Kill” shelter status.

Montgomery County recognize the need for a diverse perspective to address the rapid growth of not only the community but the needs of MCACC as it related to the grown animal welfare needs of the community.  A committee comprised of veterinarians, shelter volunteers, rescue partners, residents, MCACC Committee members, County Commissioners, and staff are necessary to participate and provide their professional observations and input in the creation of this strategic plan.

Why A Strategic Plan?

It was realized early on that Montgomery County Animal Care and Control has had a lack of clear mission, vision, and plans for its future since its inception.  A lack of a clear and concise plan poses a threat to not only the effective allocation of resources for operations, but an increased risk that essential services to the public and its animals would suffer.

The MCACC Strategic Plan is being created to provide necessary guidance for both short and long term needs.  Identifying the long term needs of the department is essential in developing and achieving goals that are established as part of this plan.  Established goals and objectives help define and determine the future of MCACC and plays an integral role in the annual budget process where those goals and objectives translate into expenses and revenues as well as long term capital needs.

Every municipal government animal control agency has a specific measure or strategic plan governed by its size, growth, and community outlook.  Montgomery County Animal Care and Control is developing this plan which will be specific to its needs and provide input from the community and its experts ranging from MCACC staff, committee members, animal industry professionals, volunteers and members of our community.

Montgomery County Tennessee is currently the 5th Larges County in the State of Tennessee with a population of over 215,000.  The proposed population increase over the next 20 years is estimated to exceed 90,000 residents.  Current total households for Montgomery County Tennessee is exceeding 75,000 which equates to a pet population of 50,772 Dogs and 37,790 Cats.  These figures based on the American Veterinary Medical Association figures is equal to 31,753 Dog owning households and 21,003 Cat owning households.  With the proposed population growth over the next 10 years this would increase the number of total Dogs by 15,871 and Cats by 11,812.  The total number of increased pet owning households would increase an additional 9,900 dog owner households and 6,566 cat owning households.  Bringing the total dog population to over 65,000 and cat population to over 32,000.  This figure does not include equine, aviary, or small mammal type pets.

Statistical History

Montgomery County Animal Care and Control currently resides at 616 N. Spring St. in Clarksville Tennessee with a total shelter size of 6,600 Square Feet containing 43 Large Dog Kennels, 26 Puppy Kennels, and 81 Cat kennels.  The 2018-2019 Annual Statistics shows that over 4,400 Dogs and Cats entered the shelter, of which 56% were dogs and 42% were cats, and 2% were other species.  Animal Control officers responded to over 5,300 Complaints of which 39% were for animals running at large, 20% were for welfare/neglect complaints, 11% were for confined strays, the remaining 31% were for bites, sick or injured animals, animals left in vehicles, and aggressive/dangerous dogs.

Personnel

Montgomery County Animal Care and Control currently employs a staff of 25 personnel.  MCACC strives to hire  industry professionals to ensure the most professional and prioritized service is given to the residents of Montgomery County and their animals.  Animal Control Officers (ACO's) are provided only the highest level of certified training attending 3 certification levels provided through the National Animal Control Association, Animal Control Training Services, and the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Training Center.  Key staff attend the University of Missouri Law Enforcement Training Academy Animal Cruelty Investigator Certification.  Key Training areas are animal handling, welfare investigations, officer safety, report writing, and defensive tactics.

MCAC is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10AM to 5PM, Thursdays from 10AM to 7PM and Saturday from 10AM to 3PM.  MCACC has an on call Animal Control Officer that responds to after hours emergency calls in Montgomery County.

Services Provided

Montgomery County Animal Services (MCAS) serves all of Montgomery County (584 square miles), including Clarksville. The department renders public service providing for the health, safety and welfare of the community in regards to the animal population. MCAS is also the Rabies Control Authority for Montgomery County.

• Provide service to the citizens, while enforcing Tennessee state laws and local resolutions as related to animals
• Respond to citizen complaints regarding animal welfare
• Impound stray, nuisance and surrendered animals
• Euthanize homeless, unwanted, sick and injured animals
• Provide an adoption program in an effort to reduce animal euthanasia
• Microchipping of all reclaimed and adopted pets
• Identification and return of lost pets
• Quarantine of biting animals for rabies observation
• Provide traps for nuisance animals
• Humane education and pet care information provided to the community
• On-call officer for emergency situations, i.e. stray bite cases, vicious animals at large, accidents involving animals, DUI involving animals