JACKSON, Tenn. – The State of Tennessee Department of Health has approved and finalized a decision to grant the Jackson Animal Care Center a Certified Animal Control Agency for the first time since its inception. The initial approval was given in October of 2021 with the board voting to finalize the decision in December 2021.
“This licensure demonstrates our dedication to the improvement of our Department, and of the City as a whole. We’ve worked hard over the last two years to improve training opportunities and performance requirements for our Animal Control Officers,” said Whitney Owen, Director of the Jackson Animal Care Center. “We are committed to providing professional service to the citizens of Jackson and this is a big step towards maintaining that standard.”
To obtain this licensure, the Department had to file an application with the state, meet individual employee licensing requirements and meet the multiple requirements of a facility inspection conducted by the State.
“This certification is a major win for our city and our citizens,” said Mayor Scott Conger. “I am extremely proud of the work that Whitney has done at the Jackson Animal Care Center.”
While municipalities in the state of Tennessee are allowed to create and staff Animal Control departments without this certification, securing and maintaining this certification will enable the Department to access more potential grant funding, provide a higher level of service to the public and will hold the Department to a higher standard of function and accountability.