Pickens County Animal Control Officers Exposed to Rabid Cat

Announcements, Community

Pickens County Animal Control Officers Exposed to Rabid Cat
Undergoing Rabies Post Exposure Vaccinations

Jasper (GA) – Two Pickens County Animal Control Officers have begun post exposure rabies vaccinations due to exposure to a cat that has now tested positive for rabies.

Three weeks ago, a stray cat was found on Lambert Street in downtown Jasper, Georgia and brought to the Pickens County Animal Shelter. Other than having a bite mark, the small adult black and white female cat seemed healthy until it started exhibiting neurological symptoms. It was then sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing on Tuesday, May 21. The following day, the lab reported the cat tested positive for rabies.

The two animal control officers are believed to be the only ones exposed to the cat while it became symptomatic for rabies during a 21-day quarantine it had been placed under since arriving to the shelter. Therefore, no other recommendations or warnings are being issued related to this case.

Health officials continue to urge the public to avoid all unfamiliar animals and to report bites or scratches from any animal that could potentially be unvaccinated against rabies to a healthcare provider and to the local environmental health office immediately. The Pickens County Environmental Health Office phone number is (706) 253-0900. If calling after hours, please call the Georgia Poison Control Center, toll-free, at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information about rabies and its prevention, please log onto the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.

New fines set for leaving animals in cars

News

JASPER, Ga. – The Jasper Police Department is asking the city for more guidance and direction on its cruelty to animals ordinance as the agenda item came up this week during the council’s meeting.

According to Lonnie Waters of the City of Jasper, the city has already received calls this year about animals locked in vehicles in the heat of the day. This issue was addressed last year with an amendment to regulate this action if the outside temperature is over 70 degrees.

Wanting wording to add fines to a  maximum to the violation of this amendment, the police were seeking the council’s input and approval to make an addition saying, “A violation of section 14-12 shall carry of maximum penalty of a fine of…” With no specific amount set in their proposal, the city was left to set a maximum.

Jasper Mayor John Weaver asked the council to set a fine with regards to the differences between city and superior courts saying, “I think we should allow people to plead guilty to a Cruelty to Animals by leaving in the car when they run into the Walmart, so that we can deal with them in the courts of Jasper, Georgia, instead of making it so extensive that they don’t want to deal with us. They want to take it to Superior Court.”

The city approved a motion to set fines at $50 for first offense, $100 for second offense, and $150 for third offense. With this new addition, citizens who may make a mistake of this nature will face the $50 fine for violation. However, repeat offenders will face harsher fines.

Extreme cases and death of animals are separated according to Police Chief Greg Lovell who said during the meeting that animal deaths would still require their own response.

Would You Know How to Perform CPR on Your Pet? Watch the Training Video by Mountain Emergency Animal Center

Community, Featured

Mountain Emergency Animal Center is a outstanding emergency vet clinic located in Blue Ridge, GA. They have a full surgical room, ICU kennels, a blood bank, and they keep anti venom on hand at all times. They are fully equipped to deal with any medical emergency your pet may have.

In this video they do a CPR training to show you exactly what you would need to do if your pet goes into cardiac arrest. This is great information for any pet owner.

Mountain Emergency Animal Center

Serving the Tri-State Area (GA, NC, TN)
Call us at 706-632-7879

Pet Emergency? Read no further and call us right away!dog

Pet emergencies, like human ones, can happen anytime. Your pet’s injuries and illnesses may require immediate attention.

Protect Pickens Pets Confronts Board of Commissioners

News

JASPER, GA – Protect Pickens Pets and supporters filled the room at this month’s commissioner meeting. The group made plans to bring their concerns and requests to the board about the conditions at the animal shelter coming together after the firing of former shelter employee Judy Moody.

Before the meeting adjourned Commissioner Jones made the announcement that anyone with questions or comments could speak one at a time. Hands went up in the air one by one to speak on the situation of the shelter and Moody.

Lisa Kelly commented first,

I am concerned the animals are not being took care of. There is 11% left on the budget that could go towards the shelter. Why is the money not being spent? Feces are in cages and there are empty bowls. When you question the staff they say they are overwhelmed and understaffed.

Linda Ross followed asking,

Who is in charge of hiring? Do they have a background? Sanitation procedures need to be in place. It’s great to have volunteers, but that’s not enough. We need a better staff. The shelter conditions are bad.

Lori Taylor told Jones,

There is a networking to running a shelter. We can’t leave things how we are. We need a company that could deal with the dogs that some fear to help them. Chihuahuas bite more than pitbulls! You’re out of your league with us people. We need to make a committee with rules and regulations.

The members of the board were silent throughout most of the comments and this bothered supporters who came to hear an answer.

Board member Becky Denny spoke to the crowd,

I have been to the shelter and been pleased with it. Legally we can’t speak about an employee. I would be happy to go to the shelter and look around.

Commenters mentioned Denny has been the only one to come to the shelter.

As comments and questions kept coming, Commissioner Jones adjourned the meeting. FYN spoke with Judy Moody after the meeting closed for a statement. Moody replied with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi,

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Commissioner Jones also gave us a statement on how he felt the evening went,

I think it went really good and I believe some of the commenters have great ideas such as creating a board or committee for the shelter. I have had the shelter inspected by the Department of Agriculture and we received an A.

Protect Pickens Pets will be having a protest Monday, July 24 at 11:00 A.M. in the Burger King parking lot. They encourage all supporters to come out to the protest.

The group left this message on their page last night,

Sadly we attended the Pickens County Commissioners meeting last night to witness the painstaking process (sarcasm) of a new Pickens County Tax Assessor being selected. The commissioners discussed how this new candidate owned a Pickens County business with his father and the fact that a commissioner knew who he was. We learned that this new candidate just happened to be the son of the former Pickens County Tax Assessor who was stepping down from the position.
What was never discussed by the commissioners was this new candidate’s education level, experience, resume, his qualifications, or any other candidates that may have applied for this same position.
Now the person approved last night to be your new Pickens County Tax Assessor may very well be qualified. But this would be a simple roll of the dice as our fine commissioners certainly did not put forth any effort to guarantee this.
Is it too much to ask that a person appointed by our Pickens County Commissioners to decide how deep to reach into your pocket be competent to do the job?
How many other Pickens county officials are deciding the daily direction of the county and our lives with their only qualification being a Good Old Boy Certification of Approval?
Is it any wonder that the Pickens County Animal Shelter Directors have all been unqualified and completely inexperienced?
It’s time for a change!

FYN will follow this story as it progresses, or read “Animal Shelter Employee Fired” and “Animal Shelter Situation Escalates”.

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

Buck – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

FullSizeRenderLadies do you have a soft spot for the strong silent type? Would you like a man that smothers you in affection and hangs on your every word, yet knows what it means to “just cuddle”?

65 pound, fully vetted Buck is your man. Buck will hardly notice that bikini sun bathing floozy next door and he’ll relish every meal you make, even if it’s burnt.

Yes ladies, Buck is the faithful, true blue, country fella of your dreams.

Get to Pickens County Animal Shelter before this one gets away……like that cute Proctologist your momma tried to set you up with last year.

Visit http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl to meet all of the PCAS available bachelors.
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Clyde – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

PCAS CLYDE kissing banditMeet Clyde, one of Pickens County’s Most Wanted Pets.
Clyde was a known accomplice of the infamous Bonnie, a former Pickens County most wanted that was recently adopted.
Clyde is 1 year old, very lovable, approximately 40 pounds, neutered, with no known distinguishing scars or tattoos.
Bonnie and Clyde served time for stealing hearts and dispensing affection without a permit or prior warning.
He is likely to re-offend but Clyde has expressed a readiness to settle down and not raise a family of his own.
If your family would like to adopt this cuddly criminal and help him assimilate back into mainstream society please bring $90 bail to the address below.

Visit the web site below for a complete list of Pickens County furry felons.
http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Snowball – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

pcas-snowballThe PCAS Weather Center predicts snow with a good chance of snuggles in the evening.

Snowball the 42 pound, 5 year old, Husky mix has been waiting for winter since spring. Snowball was picked up as a stray. Apparently she grew tired of our warm Georgia weather and set out to find old man winter all on her own.

If you too are a big fan of cooler days swing by PCAS and pick up your fellow groupie. Winter is best enjoyed with a friend.

Visit the web site below to find your perfect matching climate canine: http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Zeek – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

pcas-zeek-2Zeek was picked up as a stray by PCAS. Zeek now sits in a cage terrified and trembling.

If the right person or rescue does not come along soon the staff at Pickens County Animal Shelter will be forced to make a very difficult decision.

Because Zeek is so petrified of people, his next walk may be the green mile. Zeek may never experience the kindness and patience that he needs to trust again. Zeek may never know that one person who cared enough to take a chance on him. Zeek may never meet the one special soul who could have saved him.

If you are or know of someone who has the experience, perseverance and compassion to save Zeek please contact PCAS ASAP.

Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Roscoe – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

pcas-roscoeRoscoe, the 1 year old, pointer / lab mix, is neutered, micro-chipped, heartworm negative, available, and VERY friendly.

Roscoe was surrendered to PCAS because of his deep seeded desire to socialize with each and every neighbor. If you are the neighborhood socialite, are starting a neighborhood watch, sit on the neighbor’s porch nightly waiting for them to get home, received a class action restraining order from your neighbors, or just can’t wait until the next block party, Roscoe should be your dog.

Note: In the interest of a continued relationship with your neighbors and due to local Peeping Tom regulations, your neighbors and local law enforcement have requested that you and Roscoe call before visiting.

Roscoe is free to qualified stalkers and adopters.

Visit the link below to preview a complete line up of available PCAS partners in crime.
http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Randy’s Last Dance – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

pcas-randyRandy is running out of time.

5 year old Randy is a very trainable, very muscular boy with a big heart. He was surrendered to a kill shelter because his owner passed away. Randy cannot be adopted in this county due to a breed restrictive ban. Randy is not good with cats or kids. But he is house trained and knows the sit command.

Randy needs an experienced, firm, and patient hand to give him a second chance. Randy is free to qualified adopters & rescues. A local charity, Partners of Pickens Pets, has offered to pay for Randy’s spay surgery if he is adopted.

Randy’s time is limited. Please spread the word. Please rescue Randy before his time runs out.

Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143

Chloe – Pet of the Week

Lifestyle

Still struggling with unsightly belly fat? You’ve tried those fad diets and exercise videos but nothing seems to work.

What you need is a proven program that works with your lifestyle to decrease your calorie intake while increasing activity.

Introducing the Chloe2016.

No need for portion control with the Chloe2016. Fill that dinner plate until its overflowing. Eat half of that generous serving. Then watch as the Chloe2016 quickly eliminates the remaining calories, leaving you with a reduced waistline and a sparkling clean plate.

No more forgetting that evening walk with the Chloe2016 to remind you. The patented Chloe2016 (44 pounds jumping on your chest until you walk me) alarm makes it impossible to fall asleep on the couch after dinner.

Ten month old Chloe will have the whole family looking and feeling great before you know it.

Hurry, operators are standing by and Chloe supplies are limited.

But wait! If you act now PCAS will throw in the Chloe2016 Bed-Warmer at no additional charge. Just pay additional sheet washing and handling.

Chloe2016 (a German Shepherd mix) is not available for Pickens County Ga adoptions due to local restrictions on great dogs.
Visit the web site below to see the entire line of PCAS couch & lap warming products: http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl

Pickens County Animal Shelter

Pet of the Week – Fleming

Lifestyle

Felicitations from your four year old, four legged, forever friend Fleming from PCAS. Fleming is a fully vetted, faithful, and fetching fellow who just needs neutering to join your family.
Hurry because Fleming’s time at PCAS is sure to be fleeting.
Oh by the way, Fleming is fee FREE to qualified families.

Feel free to flip through all the available PCAS furry friends at: http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Pet of the Week, Boo

Lifestyle

Boo the 2 year old, 50 pound, bulldog mix was brought to PCAS after his military veteran owner passed away suddenly.

It is obvious that Boo spent a lot of time with his best friend and was well trained.

A certified dog trainer/behavior consultant concluded that Boo may do well with kids, other dogs, cats, or even as a possible service/therapy dog.

Boo is a dog that will give his new owner far more than he receives.

 

Note: Pickens County residents are not allowed to adopt this fine dog due to breed restrictions set in place by your Commissioner Jones.
Visit http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl to see all of the available animals at:
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983

Pet of the Week – Stella

Lifestyle

Join Stella’s relaxation revolution. Sunday morning is a state of mind.

4 year old, 55 pound Stella seeks a soul mate who also appreciates the finer art of “chillaxing.”

Top off that cup of coffee, throw on your bathrobe and get to PCAS today. Because leisure is best shared with a friend.

Visit http://www.petango.com/PickensCountyAnimalControl to see all of the available companions at:
Pickens County Animal Shelter
3563 Camp Road
Jasper Ga. 30143
(706)253-8983
Hours- Tues thru Fri 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Sat 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Pet Dental Health

Community

February is National Pet Dental month so for the moment I would like to focus on your pets’ teeth and gums. (more…)

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