This approach will unite animal welfare organizations and law enforcement agencies, resulting in better service to our community’s people and pets. Our focus will be on educating and assisting pet owners rather than the traditional responses of citing and seizure.

When individuals are cited or fined and their pets are removed, an unsustainable cycle within the legal system begins, discouraging them from reclaiming their pet despite how much that animal means to them. In some cases, their pet might remain at the shelter while they get another animal elsewhere.

We will meet individuals where they are, without judgment or assumption, to achieve the best possible outcomes for them and their pets.

Rather than being reactive to our community’s concerns, the new organization will proactively address animal welfare with education and a plethora of resources. The department will empower residents to resolve pet-related issues for the long term. This progressive model also will enhance community safety by engaging with pet owners to interrupt the cycle of repeated offenses.

Many animal control organizations nationwide are moving away from a law enforcement model. Other agencies are housed under unrelated departments, such as parks and recreation, public works and the local health department. Today’s solutions are community-based and collaborative, which is proven to make a greater long-term impact.

The reimagined agency will rely on support from local law enforcement officers as needed and defer to them when concerns need to be escalated.

Yes. Our trained staff will uphold all local ordinances and state laws to cite pet owners and remove animals when necessary. The staff also will provide resources to address the factors that led to the misconduct. This ensures that offenders are held accountable and have opportunities to correct any unlawful acts.

Our officers will be able to legally remove an animal from a private property under the following circumstances:

• Officer witnesses an animal leave its owner’s property and stray in the surrounding area.
• Officer obtains a warrant to seize an animal from a court of competent jurisdiction.
• Officer determines that exigent circumstances exist and without immediate intervention, the animal will suffer serious harm or death.

Animal Control’s current policy on wildlife reports will remain unchanged. Officers will respond to calls about wildlife animals that are sick/injured and pose a direct safety risk to the public. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has jurisdiction over wildlife including bats, skunks, racoons, foxes and coyotes.

The consolidation of departments with duplication of services is a more cost-effective and efficient use of resources. This proven strategy saves taxpayer money while improving the lives of people and their pets.

With Young-Williams Animal Center overseeing Animal Control as a nonprofit, there would be the opportunity to apply for grants and solicit additional funding for training and equipment not included in the budget. This would create the capacity to grow our animal welfare services for community pet owners.

Knox County and Knoxville citizens will benefit from progressive methods of creating a safe and humane community through owner education, community outreach and follow-up on each call for service. Pet owners also will be connected to more immediate resources and solutions, as we promote compliance over enforcement and impoundment when truly necessary. Additionally, improved communication among local agencies and animal welfare organizations will resolve cases more quickly and result in better outcomes for people and their pets.

To report any animal-related concerns, please call  865-407-2229. For emergencies, call 911. The reporting process will include prompt service, timely follow-up and thoughtful action. Whether a concerned citizen is reporting a dangerous incident or a pet owner is in need of resources, our team will respond with a solutions-driven and respectful approach.

Reporting across the animal welfare community also will be enhanced. Young-Williams Animal Center will share accurate, timely information with regional partners to best aid pet owners and prevent animal mistreatment.

Current Animal Control employees are encouraged to reapply. Employees will receive training through the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACCA) and Best Friends Animal Society on the department’s new strategies and available resources, preparing them to better serve our community.

The number of officers will remain consistent.

Young-Williams Animal Services operations will remain in the same building on 5^th Street. All animals will continue to come to Young-Williams’ main intake facility at 3201 Division St.

Leaders and officers of the new department will be overseen by the Young-Williams Animal Center CEO to ensure our citizens are served according to the highest standards and adhering to the municipal contract between the City of Knoxville and Knox County.

An expansion of the City of Knoxville Animal Control Board, to be renamed Animal Advisory Board, will be proposed to add: A county-appointed member, Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office representatives, the new field services director and a member of the Knox County legal department.

Yes. Both Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office will ensure all employees who do not join the new team will have a job within the departments.

Young-Williams Animal Center is committed to transparency and would continue the current quarterly reporting to the city and county. We are a data-driven industry and organization and will identify key performance metrics, issue monthly Animal Services reports, track data through our shelter management software and work with media to share important information, stories and the important lifesaving work Young-Williams Animal Center is doing to improve our pet-loving community.