As director of Putnam County Animal Services (PCAS), Christine Tillman may have the most heartbreaking job in the county. Every day, she and Ashley Moran care for – and about – Putnam’s lost, forgotten, abused and abandoned pets.
“My wish is that (pet owners) just take care of them properly and understand why their pets should be taken care of and that they remain in their homes for the duration. It’s not a short-term decision to have an animal,” Tillman says, tearing up a little. “People should treat them as a privilege, not as their right.”
The vast majority of Animal Service’s “clients” are dogs and cats. They handle only domestic animals, no wildlife, Tillman says, leaving that to the Department of Natural Resources. In 2021 (the last year complete statistics were available), PCAS took in 237 dogs and 381 cats. Of those, 55 dogs and three cats were returned to their original caretakers, 20 dogs and 29 cats were adopted out, and 124 dogs and 70 cats were transferred to one of eight other animal rescue organizations. Thirty-one dogs and 276 cats had to be euthanized that year in Putnam County.
The stated purpose for PCAS is “to answer the needs of the citizens of Putnam County and its animal population.” Its daily goals are to protect the health and safety of the public, enforce state and local animal protection laws, and promote responsible pet ownership.
“It’s constant and it doesn’t seem to matter; we can educate until we turn blue in the face, we can enforce the ordinances and state laws and it just doesn’t seem to matter,” Tillman says, clearly frustrated. “It’s a shame, but obviously, there’s a segment of the population that just doesn’t care.”
The PCAS facility at 107 Ridley Dr. in Eatonton (next door to the Sheriff’s Office), contains 26 4X9-foot dog kennels, three puppy pens and 12 cat cages. Staff members let each housed dog out a couple of times a day, either on a leash or in the fenced-in exercise yard out back.
Tillman stressed if a family pet suddenly goes missing anywhere in Putnam County, the Animal Services facility should be one of the first places owners look. Even if the pet is not found there, it may turn up later, she pointed out, and just knowing someone’s looking can greatly increase the chances of reunification.
On the other hand, pets not claimed within seven days become eligible for adoption. Anyone interested in adopting a dog or cat is encouraged to visit and take some time to get to know the pets before making any decision.
“We have an application that they have to fill out and then we’ll go from there, interview, just speak to them,” Tillman explains. “Sometimes people will come in and they already have pets, so we encourage them to bring their cats or dogs in with them, just to see if everyone’s compatible before a final decision is made.”
Putnam County Animal Services is hiring, too, Tillman adds, suggesting any interested animal lovers looking to make a real difference should check out the county’s website (putnamcountyga. us/hr/page/animal-control-officer) for details.
To learn more about Putnam County Animal Services or to see photos of pets currently available for adoption, visit online at putnamcountyga.us/ animal-services or call 706-485-3970 for more information. Shelter visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.