WCAS is an entirely government run facility consisting of an Animal Shelter and Animal Control that serves the 450 square miles of Walker County with 63,000 plus residents. WCAS opened it's new 48 run facility in July 2006, tripling the size of the old county pound. With an operating budget of $140,000 per year, it supports three full time and five part time employees.
The office space of 24’ x 42’ includes the lobby, a public handicapped bathroom, a private full bathroom, a break room, a storage closet, manager’s office, administrative assistant’s office and a volunteer station. The kennel area is 60’ x 140’. The facility has 48 indoor/outdoor runs with the average of two dogs per run. 30 cat cages house one to ten cats per cage. Six cages are set up in the Quarantine Room. There is a Euthanasia Room set up in the Restricted Area where the aggressive, confiscated and Rabies observation dogs are kept. The Maintenance Room holds supplies and cleaning chemicals. A “Puppy Room” houses tiny puppies, lactating mothers and little dogs. Laundry Room has a two washers and a dryer. The Feed Room holds all the animal food and cat litter used by the shelter.
This facility is run according to the guidelines of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Generally, animals are kept at this facility a minimum of five days. The health, temperament, stability and amount of available space determine the maximum number of days an animal is housed at Walker County Animal Shelter.
Animal Control addresses stray animal population, vicious or fatal attacks, neglect and cruelty per complaint calls. Bite cases are handled as they are reported. Both work together to improve lives, promote safety, educate and bring about a more humane way to care for all our four legged friends. WCAS eventually hopes to become a pet placement facility - this vision requires much needed community support.
