| January 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve L. Smith
(205) 591-6522 x29
Beginning September 01, 2004, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. was awarded the contract to perform animal control services for un-incorporated Jefferson County, the City of
Birmingham, and interested municipalities within Jefferson County. Thanks to the enormous effort and interest put forth by the Jefferson County Commission, the City of
Birmingham and others, this contract has proven to be very rewarding and beneficial to the staff of BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. and the community which it serves.
In the new contract, needed emphasis has been placed on a low cost spay/neuter program, animal adoptions and rescues, public education and relations, employee training, a mobile
adoption and education program, and providing assistance to law enforcement personnel in unusual animal related incidents.
These desirable changes have led to our busiest and most challenging year at BJC Animal
Control Services, Inc. These changes have reflected in the increased level of care the
animals receive and also in the number of animals we are able to adopt or transfer to
reputable rescue groups. The education and training of our staff has had the result of
communicating valuable information to the public regarding animal care, animal control,
and animal welfare.
Even though BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. has always placed much emphasis on the
training and professionalism of its employees, the new contract requires all employees to
be trained through the National Animal Control Association or the Alabama Animal
Control Association. By the end of November 2006, all employees will have received the
required training. In addition to this training, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. now has
five State Certified Euthanasia Technicians on staff. The staff veterinarian is also qualified
through the State as a Certified Euthanasia Instructor. The animal control facility operated
by BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. and owned by the City of Birmingham and Jefferson
County is State Certified to perform euthanasia. BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. is
probably the only animal control program in the state that has a full time staff veterinarian
resulting in a high level of care for the many animals that are impounded with injuries,
illnesses, malnourishment, and many other maladies. In conjunction with the contract, BJC
Animal Control Services, Inc. works harmoniously with both the Birmingham Police
Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff s Department to house and care for animals
seized during cruelty investigations. BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. also provides
assistance to law enforcement in such situations where animals need to be immediately
removed from threatening situations such as accidents, homicides, evictions, and natural
disasters. The assistance that BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. now provides for law
enforcement in these unusual circumstances is a result of previous and current needs that the new contract has
addressed.
As previously mentioned, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. offers many beneficial
animal related educational programs for the community. Emphasis is placed on educational
programs for the community's youth. The company's education coordinator, Aj Cleveland,
along with her dog, "Buzz Lightyear", routinely visits elementary and middle schools to
dissiminate information regarding such topics as responsible pet ownership, animal care,
bite prevention, and the importance of spaying and neutering.
Our idea is to emphasize these values at a young age so that later in life, when adults, they
will make responsible decisions.
BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. also has several media outlets in which to educate the
public and inform them of our many available programs. These media outlets include the
Radio Stations 102.5, The Bull, on Patti and Dollar Bill's morning show each Wednesday
morning and the Magic 96.5, Rob and Shannon morning show, also on Wednesday
mornings. Additionally, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. has a weekly spot on ABC
33/40 to showcase our adoptable pets, advertise upcoming events, and to discuss other
animal related topics of interest.
Thanks to the Jefferson County Commission, the City of Birmingham, and The Happy
Tails Society, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. has one of the best, if not the best, low
cost spay/neuter program of any animal control organization in the state. When an animal
is adopted from BJC Animal Control Services, Inc, the adopter is given a spay/neuter
certificate valued at eighty dollars which can be used at any one of many participating
veterinary clinics in Jefferson County. Additionally, any citizen of Jefferson County can
purchase a spay/neuter certificate from BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. for a fee of forty
dollars which can be used at the veterinary clinics noted above. As a part of our adoption
program, the company has a mobile adoption trailer which is taken to many different
locations throughout Jefferson County during the year. This has led to the adoption of
numerous dogs and cats and has greatly enhanced the image of BJC Animal Control
Services, Inc.
On July 16, 2005, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. hosted our first annual
"PetPalooza" event at George Ward Park. This event attracted over two hundred and fifty guests. Free
games, free food, and free entertainment were provided. Vendors were given free space
and participants offered obedience training, dog spas, dog accessories, and grooming. BJC
Animal Control Services, Inc. conducted animal adoptions and handed out education
material during the event. Hourly drawings were conducted. Prizes that were given away
included gift certificates, dog and cat food, animal carriers, aquariums, bird cages, pet
beds, and many more items. Entertainment included a soft ball game, a Magician,
Cinderella, and music provided by 102.5, The Bull.
Most recently, BJC Animal Control Services, Inc. was able to provide temporary housing
for animals from the hurricane disaster areas. The company made a donation to assist in
the disaster and collected supplies which were sent to the Red Cross and other agencies to
help in the relief efforts.
Highlights from the 2004-2005 Contract
Year
- Approximately 532 low cost spay/neuter certificates issued.
- Approximately 270 animals were adopted or transferred to animal rescue programs.
- 17 employees were trained through the National Animal Control Association or the Alabama Animal
Control Association.
- On approximately 1,146 occasions, law enforcement personnel were assisted during animal related
emergencies.
- 250 cruelty animals were housed and cared for at the request of law enforcement personnel.
- 9 mobile adoption events were held at Superpets-Irondale, Dog Day Festival-Trussville, Fish
Peddler-Trussville, Pet Supplies Plus-Green Springs, Wal-Mart-Gardendale, and
PetPalooza-George Ward Park.
- Several school call rooms were visited and approximately 3,000 children were educated on
animal related information.
- First annual PetPalooza event held at George Ward Park on July 16, 2005.
- Five employees State certified as Euthanasia Technicians.
- Company President elected as Board Member of Alabama Animal Control Association.
- Media snots obtained on two radio stations and one TV station.
- Staff veterinarian has become a State Certified Euthanasia Instructor.
- Conferences attended by staff include: Alabama Animal Control Annual Conference, Southern
Regional Spay/Neuter Leadership Conference, and Conference on Homeless Animal Management and
Policy.
- Approximately 9,628 nuisance animals were removed from Jefferson County.
- Approximately 13,482 complaints were investigated.
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