KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A new animal welfare service has been launched by Young-Williams Animal Center to provide animal care and control for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. This service follows the shelter’s move to take over animal control from local law enforcement.
The newly established Young-Williams Animal Services will handle animal field service duties and concentrate on educating and assisting pet owners for long-term change instead of relying on citations and seizures. The Knox County Commission and Knoxville City Commission passed resolutions in November 2023 to transfer animal control functions to Young-Williams.
Previously, Animal Control Officers with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Police Department responded to a call. If an animal was seized, they would drop it off at Young-Williams who would take care of it from there. Now, Young-Williams staff can directly respond to situations.
“We will meet pet owners where they are, without judgment, to achieve the best possible outcomes for pets and their people,” Young-Williams Animal Center CEO Janet Testerman said. “More than 40% of those who surrender a pet do not wish to and have typically hit a life hurdle that has forced them to consider relinquishing their beloved companion. Now we can connect owners to immediate resources and solutions to keep more pets in their homes and out of the shelter.”
Animal Services Officers will provide a range of services including:
- Reconnecting lost pets with an owner.
- Providing a range of resources to pet owners and their pets.
- Offering education and community outreach.
- Investigating an animal bite or safety concern.
- Responding to animal-related issues.
- Investigating concerns of animal cruelty or animal welfare.
For reporting animal-related concerns, individuals can call 865-407-2229 or visit young-williams.org/animal-services. In case of emergencies, the public is still encouraged to call 911. A release from YWAC laid out several examples of emergencies including a bite that requires medical attention, an aggressive animal that is loose with people in immediate danger or a pet that is in a life-threatening situation.
“Our Animal Services team received training through the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) as well as through other Field Services experts and agencies, so they are well equipped to manage field services, whether it’s responding to a stray animal or a potentially dangerous dog,” Director of Young-Williams Animal Services Rachel Ide said. “Residents can expect prompt service and solution-driven action that benefit the pet and owners.”
Young-Williams emphasized that centralized animal welfare services will benefit the community by increasing compliance with animal welfare laws and decreasing complaint-driven calls due to the shift from emphasizing citations and seizures to aiding and assisting pets and their owners. The shelter added that the change allows law enforcement to focus more attention and resources on reducing crime and keeping communities safe.