PAWS Animal Services Division answers questions about animal control takeover

Yahoo

30-04-2025

COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Nearly 3 months after PAWS Humane Society officially took over Columbus Animal Care and Control, it is taking time to answer some community questions.
Under PAWS Humane Society, Columbus Animal Care and Control has been rebranded as the 'PAWS Humane Animal Services Division.' Although its name is different, PAWS representatives say some things are remaining the same.
For one, its phone number is still [phone].
'We did keep that just not to cause a lot of confusion in the community,' explained Courtney Pierce, executive director of PAWS Humane Society. 'So yes, you're still able to call the same number.'
On weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the number calls the Animal Services Division dispatch. After those hours, calls to the Animal Services Division will go through 911 dispatch.
The PAWS Animal Services Division will take calls for animal abuse and leash law violations. They'll also help with stray animals.
'You can call us. What we will do is we'll send an officer out,' said Pierce.
She encouraged community members to take steps to see if the stray animal might belong to someone in the area first.
'Nine times out of 10, a stray is very, very close to home,' Pierce said. 'We are asking for the community's help to, you know, post on Facebook, talk to your neighbors if you have the neighborhood apps on your phone, and try to figure out if it's somebody in your community that their dog just got out.'
If no owner surfaces, PAWS can step in.
'We will come out and, and scan for a microchip and try to do some of that investigation on our own so that we can not take to the shelter if we don't need to,' Pierce said.
If the pet is not chipped and PAWS cannot find an owner, the pet will be taken to the Animal Services Division.
Although staffing was an issue for animal control in the past, Pierce said the Animal Services Division is working to hire a full staff of 16 animal services officers.
'Right now, we have seven on staff, so we are looking to hire several more,' Pierce said. She added, 'We want to make sure we have the right people in place that are going to do the job that we tell the community we're going to do.'
Although the Animal Services Division can't come to homes to pick up deceased pets, they can be brought to the Animal Services Division at its Milgen Road location, next to PAWS Humane Society.
Community members can call the Animal Services Division to take care of dead animals in the roadway.
If you see a dead animal in the roadway, Pierce said not to attempt removing it yourself and instead opt to call the Animal Services Division. They will bring in additional assistance if necessary.
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