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Rescue leader warns Putnam County animal services face gaps as mobile spay/neuter clinic ends; commissioners pledge follow-up
Summary
Jenny Oakwood of Ark Animal Rescue told commissioners she is grieving the loss of local spay/neuter capacity and that Ark will stop mobile spay/neuter procedures on July 15; commissioners and staff said animal services have added staff, reduced costs, increased adoptions, and will meet with the speaker to discuss next steps and the trailer's future.
Jenny Oakwood, owner of Crescent City Kennel and Ark Animal Rescue, told the Putnam County Board that Ark will cease providing spay and neuter services through its mobile clinic on July 15 and urged the county to address broader animal-welfare and enforcement issues.
Oakwood described long-standing challenges including an alleged lack of public involvement, the closure of a previous humane society, and capacity shortfalls that have left volunteer groups and private citizens carrying financial and emotional burdens. She said the county needed clearer commitments and more transparency on shelter outcomes and statistics.
Commissioners and staff responded with a timeline of improvements: they said the county recently completed a new shelter facility, added three positions, lowered feed costs, expanded cooperative programs with the University of Florida and local partners, and are working on code and enforcement updates. Commissioner Alexander and others offered to meet with Oakwood and donors involved with the mobile trailer to discuss next steps for the spay/neuter capacity and to determine whether the county will accept custody or manage the donated trailer.
The board asked staff to schedule a meeting with Oakwood and appropriate county representatives to discuss the trailer, program options and how to maintain spay/neuter access for residents.
