The first thing I want to explain is the difference between them and Montgomery County Paws Care. PAWS is a volunteer group that adopts out dogs and cats. They do not have a facility to go and see the pets though. They are foster based, meaning all animals are in a foster home until they are adopted. Montgomery County Animal Control (MCAC) is a county owned facility. They run off of county funds. They are not able to do fundraisers like PAWS. They are able however to accept donations that anyone is to give them. This has got to be one of the biggest things they get asked about. I hope that helps explain the difference.
MCAC does have a facebook page that is run by volunteers. On this page they will post animals that they have found that do not have a microchip, animals that people send them that they have lost, and items the shelter may be needing. So if you ever loose a pet you can check here and see if it is posted as well as calling or visiting the facility to check. If you loose a pet send them a picture and they will post the information for people to be on the look out for your pet.
MCAC is considered a low kill facility. They do not put down animals to make room like some facilities may do. They will put an animal down if it is severely injured or ill and it is in the animals better interests.
Another thing that they get calls a lot for is wildlife. Unfortunately MCAC only deals with dogs and cats. If you have a wildlife problem MCAC has numbers on hand they can give you to call to try and receive help. The same thing for farm animals.
MCAC does offer vouchers for spay/neuter of cats and dogs. If you receive a LINK card and are a resident of MCAC you can go to the facility and receive a voucher that covers almost the entire cost of the procedure. MCAC also offers a low cost shot clinic for Montgomery County residents twice a year. Usually there is one in the spring and one in the fall. They will publish this in the local paper and on the facebook page. They also offer micro chipping at this clinic.
MCAC is who you need to call if you ever see a case of animal abuse. There phone is 217-532-3334. Anytime that you see an abused animal give them a call and they will tell you what can or will be done. Everything is confidential. They will never give out your name or tell who placed the call. The only way for them to help is to call. Be the voice for the animal.
MCAC also picks up stray animals. They do have some limitations to this though. If you live within city limits they need to have authorization from the city or police to pick up the animal. If you are in the country out of city limits they do not.
If you ever have to get rid of your animal because of a move or family member going in a nursing home you can contact MCAC and do an owner relinquish. What this means is that you sign your animal over to MCAC and give us permission to find them a loving home. There is a $25 fee per animal to sign them over and it is up to MCAC discretion if they can take them at the time. They have to have the room before they can accept. The $25 fee will cover housing and feeding the animal and getting any vetting that needs to be done to get them ready for adoption.
MCAC loves volunteers. If you love animals go down and walk the dogs or play with the cats. The animals love it!!!!! You must be 18 in order to get the dogs out due to insurance reasons. If you do have kids they can come and read to the animals. The animals love to be read to. Not only is it great practice for the kids, it is great socialization for the animals. There are also prize packs for the kids when they are done.
I hope this helps a little and explains a little bit about animal control. If you have any specific questions you can give them a call or ask me here.
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