New Animal Services Director Named in McDuffie County
The McDuffie County animal shelter has been closed since the summer of 2022, following various allegations of improprieties brought before the county commission. Following an investigation the Department of Agriculture found no abuse or mistreatment of animals or any evidence of animal care issues. They did, however, find discrepancies between internal records kept at the shelter there and those required to be transmitted electronically to the Department of Agriculture regarding the intake and disposition of animals.
Today, officials announced the county has hired a new Director of Animal Services as some facility improvement projects at the Thomson-McDuffie Animal Shelter are nearing completion.
Wendy Ivey comes to McDuffie County after serving as Director of Animal Services in Bulloch County for over four years. She’d been employed there for the last 17 years.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but I am eager to be a part of providing these animals with the best services and opportunities in finding their forever homes, all while building positive community relationships with the citizens of McDuffie County in hopes for a broader community involvement,” said Ivey.
McDuffie County Community Development Director Jason Smith says in addition to facility improvements, a shelter technician will be hired soon as well as the development of standard operating procedures at the shelter. “The SOP document must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Agriculture as part of a consent order,” said Smith.
County officials say they hope to have the shelter re-opened by the end of March, if renovation work is finished and proper personnel are in place.
