MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Pet adoption rates at Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) as well as other shelters, increase when kids are out of school for the summer. As exciting as it can be to bring a cuddly new friend into the family, please consider the lifelong commitment it takes to care for a pet. Caring for an animal extends beyond providing food, water, and a home. It takes research and careful planning to find the right companion for your household and fulfill its needs throughout the pet's life.

Adopting is a commitment. It means pets should not be surrendered for minor reasons. Situations can arise beyond people's control, leaving them with no choice but to find another home for their pet(s). Pet owners who may need to surrender their pet(s) should try to exhaust all other options in rehoming, finding a rescue, or finding a temporary home before turning their pet into a shelter.

"The last few weeks have been an added challenge for us at the shelter. On average, we have six surrenders daily and are completely booked for the summer. It saddens us because these animals love their owners, who are often the only family they have ever known. They think they are coming back for them but they don’t," said MCACC Adoption Coordinator Samantha Crosby.

Montgomery County Animal Care and Control had 700 pet surrenders in 2022 and has received 311 pet surrenders to date this year. Reasons for pet surrenders include deployments, housing restrictions, animal behavior, financial responsibilities, no longer wanting the responsibility, and abrupt life changes. 

Shelter environments are challenging transitions for pets. The separation from the human(s) they know, the noise, strange smells, and unfamiliar dogs and cats take a toll on an animal’s psyche and behavior. Pets are often confused, trying to follow their human out the door. Pet surrenders also add stress to shelter officers and staff. Finding the time, resources, and energy to care for all animals can seem impossible.

“Frankly, we have been overwhelmed with surrenders. It is hard on the animals and hard on the staff. We want people to understand that adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment,” stated MCACC Director Dave Kaske.

To reduce pet owner surrenders in Montgomery County, MCACC wants to educate the community about pet ownership responsibility and offer resources to help people keep their pets.

Info on MCACC can be viewed at mcgtn.org/animal-control.

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The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (MCVSO), in conjunction with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4895, will conduct the annual Flag Day ceremony beginning at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 14, at VFW Post 4895, 1701 Haynes St., Clarksville. The public is invited to attend.                    

The ceremony is held to properly destroy—by burning—worn, damaged or otherwise unserviceable American flags in a dignified and proper manner.

Damaged U.S. flags may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization, 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 405, Clarksville, or at the VFW Post 4895, during their business hours prior to the ceremony.

For more information, please call the MCVSO at 553-5173 or email [email protected].  

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Last Edited: June 06, 2023 @ 9:46 am

Montgomery County, TN – The Montgomery County Doug Weiland Courts Center, located at 2 Millennium Plaza, will be closed to the public for staff training on Thursday, June 15, and Friday, June 16. 

All services provided at the Courts Center, which includes Adult Probation, Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, Juvenile Court, and Veterans Treatment Court, will reopen to the public on Tuesday, June 20. 

To view services or online payment options offered at the Court Center, visit https://mcgtn.org/court.

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Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) is closed until Wednesday, June 7, for disinfection and cleaning due to a puppy testing positive for Parvovirus this morning. 

“We had puppy litters that entered the shelter late last week and another litter today. The litters were healthy and active at the time of intake. During morning cleaning, staff discovered one of those puppies displaying symptoms of the Parvovirus and immediately isolated the puppy. The puppy has since tested positive for Parvovirus,” said MCACC Director Dave Kaske.

Currently, no other puppies or dogs display symptoms of the virus. Out of caution, MCACC is closed today and tomorrow to effectively clean and disinfect all areas according to shelter protocols. They will monitor the health of the animals closely and limit the intake of puppies under six months old for the health and safety of their animal population.

“We always encourage pet owners to adequately vaccinate their animals. Vaccinating your pet helps keep it safe and protects it against many contagious viruses. Keeping your pet vaccinated also protects against viruses in a shelter or boarding environment and protects other animals from your pet possibly transmitting viruses to a healthy population,” stated Kaske. 

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and cooperation in allowing our staff to adequately mitigate this situation,” added Kaske.

To check for updates on MCACC, visit their Facebook page or call (931)-648-5750.

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Montgomery County, TN – Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden has appointed Sarah Fry as the new Montgomery County Archivist.

Fry had served in the Montgomery County Archives Department since June 2017, when she began working as an archives clerk. In July 2020, Fry moved up to the position of archives technician, and most recently, she served as interim director since the retirement of former long-time Archivist Jill Hastings. 

“Preserving and adding to the history of Montgomery County is an important function in our community. People rely on our Archives Department to research family history and heritage, government documents, and many other historical treasures,” said Mayor Golden.

Before she was employed with Montgomery County, Fry worked as a financial aid counselor and consultant at Southeastern University and Anderson University between 2006 to 2017. Fry earned a master’s degree in public history from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016 and a bachelor’s in science from Southeastern University in 2006.

“I have a passion for history, and Montgomery County, Tennessee, is rich with fascinating people, government documentation, and events to share. Our county has changed tremendously since it was established in 1796, with many important stories and records during the past 227 years. It is a privilege for my staff and me to be the caretakers of our history and we will work diligently to ensure that it is made accessible and preserved for generations to come,” said Fry.

Montgomery County Archives serves as the official repository for county records and operates under Tennessee State law and under the direction of the Montgomery County Public Records Commission. The primary services are preserving Montgomery County Records and providing access to the information within those records for research. 

Visit mcgtn.org/archives or call 931-553-5159 for more information about Montgomery County Archives.

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