Changes are happening at the Levelland Animal Shelter in the hopes of bringing more of a positive impact for everyone involved including the animals.
In early February, Levelland Police Chief Erica O’Bryon brought on Macie Cole as the animal control manager. Cole has a background in rescue along with an education in animal science.
Since joining the animal control staff, brainstorming ideas to provide positive change were taking place. Additionally, the staff utilized the feedback they had received from the community.
“Things have been nice actually as every change that we made seems to be moving in the right direction,” said Cole. “Also, getting community feedback has been very helpful. Everybody here at the shelter has been fantastic.”
With three full time employees at the shelter, the ranks include the two animal control officers along with Cole. Also, the shelter has a part-time employee Juliana who offers her assistance at the shelter.
“With our current staff, just having those extra sets of hands and extra minds really boosts creativity,” explained Cole. “Setting these new requirements is hopefully going to change the community in regard to some of the issues that we have with animal control.”
Coming into the position, Cole shared what she was seeing starting out.
“I think everybody had great ideas and that just did not know how to implement them,” said Cole. “Coming in I was able to delegate, help establish guidelines to things and create deadlines.
Cole emphasized that there is always a way to make something work, but that does not mean it is always a positive or happiest way to do things yet it may be the best choice for the community and the animal.
Coming from a rescue background, Cole is continuing to work on implementing what she has learned to make a more positive environment.
“In creating a positive environment it is not only for people to come and adopt, but for the animal as well while they're staying with us,” explained Cole. “We also want to let the community know that we appreciate them and that we want to work with them, not against them. They are here to help us and advocate for us.
“We have some great people that are always active on our Facebook trying to help us get these puppies out or even our cats out. It is just making sure they know that they're just as important as my staff are and that everybody has their own role that they play in making sure that it moves in the right direction.”
Recent changes to operations of the shelter has been the adoption process.
In regard to vet arrangements, the shelter will be following up with all new adopters to confirm that arrangements have been made with a vet for necessary alterations such as spay, neuter and vaccinations. The shelter will also contact the vet the adoptee provided to ensure the new pet will receive proper care.
An age requirement of 18years-old or older has been established for all adopters.
An approval or denial system has also been implemented. The system covers all adoptions. Cole explained that the shelter is dedicated to matching the pets with families where they will thrive.
As such, the shelter will only approve adoptions for homes they feel are the best fit.
Cole added that the goal is to ensure every pet gets the care, love and safety they deserve. With this system, the staff feels the changes will help them make the best decisions for both the animals and their new families.
Chief O’Bryon added that one thing she continues to hear is that animal control is a service that is provided to the city.
“That is absolutely correct and it is a service we provide to this city,” stated O’Bryon. “We have 16 beds or 16 kennels for animals and my goal every single day is to make this the best service that we can provide to the city.
“Yes, it is a service and it will continue to be, but we want to be the best at that. Implementing those changes, the community has welcomed most of them and has been very supportive. Those positive changes have helped us with increased adoptions, rescues and fosters.”
Moving forward, Cole is working to establish connections with not only local rescues but others from all over.
“We want everybody to be involved as it will help get our name out there and will increase our opportunities for getting dogs and cats to new homes,” said Cole. “We're looking into partnering with different communities or even different brands and businesses to try and help us to get donations with vaccinations.
“Hopefully in the near future we will be able to vaccinate inhouse more often than what we've been able to in the past.”
Cole added that there are resources out there that they have looked into to aid those goals. Additionally, she is working to bring together a new volunteer program.
“I do have a meeting with the organization that's going to help us try and help us put together a new volunteer program,” said Cole. “We want people to know that we love the animals just as much as they do and any extra hands that we can have helps.”
In the future, Cole hopes to provide volunteer opportunities such as feeding, cleaning or walking the animals.
Getting to this point where Cole can implement her knowledge and expertise, O’Bryon highlighted the work of her two animal control officers who helped keep the facility afloat.
The loss of Animal Control Officers Crystal Goforth and Jon Corder in 2022 halted the operations of the animal control department. Responding to a call and being struck by a vehicle, animal control duties were put aside to focus on the loss of the two individuals who were respected colleagues of the LPD and the City of Levelland and loved by their families.
Following an extended period of time, the LPD and City of Levelland began to address the animal shelter operations.
“Our Animal Control Officers Taylor and RC were kind of thrown into this position and they had been here for a very short period of time,” said O’Bryon. They have really kept this place afloat for the last two years and they have done a really good job with their resources and what knowledge they have.
“We're very thankful for them because if they had not been there this place wouldn't be standing. We would not be where we are if they left.”
With a feeling of a solid base to improve upon, O’Bryon feels that Cole and her staff will continue to provide a positive environment with the changes they implement.
“I think it starts with that foundation. We have got a solid crew who want to make this the best service we can provide to the city,” said O’Bryon. “It has been great to have Macie in that role to take all of those visions and goals that RC, Taylor and Juliana have and be able to get some forward movement with that.”
Cole added her appreciation for the two officers.
“I am extremely thankful that they stuck it out with us,” said Cole. I couldn't come in and have done anything without them with what they have already been doing.”
The shelter recently posted their Amazon wishlist on their Facebook Page. If individuals would like to make donations through the list they can. O’Bryan explained that the City does provide the needs of the shelter. However, the shelter has been asked by those who are eager to donate if there were any items they could take. These are things that are a little bit extra,” said O’Bryon. “These are versus needs, but it just helps us. “We are very thankful we have had several donations that have already come in.”
Moving forward, O’Bryon is encouraging pet owners to spay or neuter their animals with the current population issue.
“The only way to get this this under control is by spaying or neutering those pets,” said O’Bryon. “Everybody wants to love animals and that is great, but be responsible.”
O’Bryon added that there are resources available along with several rescues in town that offer assistance. She added that the college animal vet does a shelter discount which is roughly a $120.00 discount for spay or neuter of the animal adopted from the shelter.
Lastly, enforcement has been emphasized by O’Bryon.
“I have encouraged enforcement and I have told both the animal control officers that dogs running at large need a citation and the reclaim fees are going to be into effect,” said O’Bryon. “We have got to have some accountability to those pet owners and enforcement is where we are leaning towards.”