Franklin, Tennessee
Williamson County Animal Shelter
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illiamson County Animal Shelter has four prime directives: adoption, enforcement, education, and spay/neuter. Their goal is to increase the save rate of animals in their area, find a good home for every adoptable pet, slow pet population growth, end animal neglect and abuse, and to be a positive force in the community. The center itself is a public open-intake shelter serving the citizens of Williamson County and cares for area domestic animals. It enjoys the distinction of being recognized with an achievement award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). A staff of 27 is led by director Ondrea Johnson, and includes a full-time veterinarian, two licensed veterinary technicians, a community relations coordinator, four animal control officers, an intake coordinator, two kennel managers, and four other full-time staff members. The shelter also employs five part-time kennel techs and support staff. The facility consists of a 35,000 square foot building containing an adoption area, cat and dog visitation rooms, free-roaming cat areas with enclosed patios, intake services, isolation and quarantine areas, testing area, community lecture room, dog training space, veterinary office and surgical suite, grooming room, photo studio, volunteer center, and office space. On the shelter property, large dog runs for exercise, wooded trail and a public dog park (opening TBD). The shelter’s Mobile Adoption Center (MAC) is used for adoption events held away from the shelter. Johnson said that Williamson County Animal Shelter is a proud no-kill shelter. “We do the very best job that we can to make sure that animals get adopted into a good home or go to a senior sanctuary.” Johnson got started rescuing animals when she was five years old. She often brought puppies and kittens home and “hid them in the barn” and began caring for them. She is an active animal foster parent, having had more than 100 furry foster children, and is absolutely thrilled to serve as the director of the Williamson Shelter. One way that she believes Williamson County Shelter can help spread the word about animal welfare is by modeling best practices for partnering with the community to keep pets in homes, help control pet populations, educate the public on pet-related issues, and offer adoption services for families looking to add a pet to their home . . . I strongly believe that the way to improve life for animals is to partner with the people who care for them.” Williamson County Animal Shelter will be represented by Merci Dupre Clothiers on the runway. The model will be accompanied by Tilly the dog. Merci Dupre is a private label created by Dr. Christina Rahm’s The Root Brands that is also the parent company of Under the Red Chandelier and Bill and Coo. ■ Sponsor: Root Wellness & Dr. Christina Rahm / adoptwcac.org
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• le printemps 2023 • l’édition pour animaux de compagnie et mode • readelysian.com
