PALATKA, Fla. — For years, Putnam County Animal Control staff has been working out of a temporary trailer next to a landfill. Now they’re not only getting a brand new building, but a new neighbor.
The new shelter is being built right next to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and it’s not a coincidence.
This location is more accessible to residents and has even more room to house additional animals and volunteers.
County leaders say this move will not only make it easier for the animal services staff to team up with police when working on hoarding or abuse cases, but create a new work program for prisoners.
Once the shelter is built by the end of the year, the inmates will have an opportunity to participate in animal training programs.
“That allows them to get some technical skills related to animal welfare, and vet tech, that type of thing. So that when they are released, they have a skill, it's a real trade that they have been trained in through that time when they've been incarcerated,” explained Deputy County Administrator Julianne Young.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office adds this new shelter program will allow inmates to work in vet clinics, kennels and grooming parlors when they are released
What the staff is most excited for in this new building– room for more animals.
Records show several cases where the staff had to turn away dogs and cats in the past. Including dogs that later went on to kill a mail carrier.
Putnam County Animal Control will be upgrading to 90 kennels, giving a facelift to a facility that’s needed an upgrade for years.
“We only have a limited number of dog play yards. And so there's a limited number of availability for walk areas and trails. We have a number of volunteers, but there's a very limited amount of space where they can walk the animals for their exercise,” Young added.
The new animal shelter is anticipated to be up and running by the end of this year.