WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s the price of growth: Wilson County Animal Control is running out of space.
On Monday, March 17, the agency will ask county commissioners for permission to move into a space almost four times the size of its current one, as well as some additional funding.
Tucked away in Wilson County, animal control is dedicated to caring for rescued dogs.
“We do a lot of community outreach about microchips and about dog tags, and if a dog has a tag or has a microchip, we will get them home,” Steve Gatlin, director of Wilson County Animal Control, said.
Animal control has been located at the county landfill — literally on Dump Road — since 2003. However, Wilson County’s growth is putting more stress on the agency, which was originally supposed to house only 18 dogs.
“Today, we’re above 30, and it’s just a sign of the times, the growth,” Gatlin told News 2 on Friday, March 14.
In addition to being at the county landfill, Gatlin said animal control’s current space is across the street from the Lebanon Police Department firing range, which is not the best place for dogs.
According to Gatlin, the agency is asking Wilson County to consider an expansion and take over a building on Tennessee Boulevard.
“It would be, gosh, almost four times the size of this one and have kennels for approximately 40 dogs,” Gatlin said.
“This will be a game changer for you guys,” News 2’s Kendall Ashman commented.
“It will be a game changer! That’s a good phrase for this,” Gatlin replied.
While animal control has introduced several programs to reduce the number of intakes, including volunteer programs, staff are hoping more people will consider adoption.
“Since Christmas, things have slowed down dramatically, and if you see some of these rescues around, everybody’s full,” Gatlin said.
If you’re in the market for adopting a dog, Wilson County Animal Control provides a microchip for each dog, as well as all their shots. The adoption fee is $45 with a $50 refundable spay/neuter deposit. Follow this link to check out the list of adoptable dogs.
