Jackson Animal Care Center officially opens with ribbon cutting ceremony

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson Animal Control is opening a new facility here in the Hub City.

Announced in 2016, the new Jackson Animal Care and Control facility on Conalco Drive was placed on hold in 2020, but now the new facility is finished and the Greater Jackson Chamber held a dedication Friday.

This new site hopes to bring more space for animals and to provide a teaching space for animal care. Many staff members are excited for year round climate control for them and the animals.

“Anybody that has been to our current facility is aware that our dog kennel area does not have air conditioning, so in the summer time our staff have been working in 105 degree temperature–if it’s 105 degrees outside. So I’m very excited that they have a climate control area to continue the works that they do,” said Whitney Owen, director of animal services for the City of Jackson.

Despite several issues throughout the building process, the foundation is set to make a difference.

“From paused construction, re-budgeting, and stubbing our toe pretty much on every aspect of this construction, but having a great staff and great, dedicated contractors and a great council that see the need for this. It is a great step forward in our community and I’m proud to be here and be a part of this. I’m excited with what Whitney and her team can do with an updated facility,” said Mayor Scott Conger.

This project has been in the works for more than eight years, and it can hold up to 70% more capacity so now there’s only one thing left to do. Come adopt your next furry friend!

“No increase is ever going to be enough if we don’t get our communities on board with spay and neuter, responsible pet ownership, and just being good stewards of the animals they choose to have in their lives,” said Owen.

The new facility has a dedicated medical area and quarantine area so potentially injured or sick animals are not directly exposed to those on the adoption side which will keep illness from spreading throughout the building.

Those animals remain separate until deemed healthy enough to move up to adoption.

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