Last Edited: July 19, 2022 @ 9:45 am

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, through Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Several employees from the shelter, which is already in need of additional staff, have been affected by COVID-19. Animal Control is scheduled to reopen during normal operating hours on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

MCACC will respond to emergency-related calls only through Monday, Jan. 3, 2021. This includes police/fire/EMS assistance, aggressive/dangerous dogs, bite investigations, and sick/injured animals. Phones calls will be answered during normal business hours but there will not be sufficient staff to answer all calls for service at this time. Every call will be documented and put into the system for MCACC to respond to as they can.

“As with any time Animal Care and Control is required to close, we have staff who are taking care of the animals in our facility. We are also accepting applications at this time from people who are interested in serving our community on behalf of the animals brought to the shelter,” said MCACC Director Dave Kaske.

To apply for a job at MCACC, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5750 for questions. 

Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:37 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Service submitted the necessary information to the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Inc. in 2020 to include two new sub-stations in the Dotsonville and Salem communities. The submission is a request to lower the protection class rating from 10 to six for residences located within five miles of the new sub-stations.

ISO Protection Class Ratings are part of determining insurance premiums for residents.  The lower the rating, the lower the insurance premium.

Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Chief, Ed Baggett, stated “Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Service strives to reduce response times. These new sub-stations are strategically placed to help in that endeavor.”

The protection class rating was lowered to a six for residents who meet the proximity requirements, effective December 1, 2021. The Dotsonville sub-station is located at 2340 Dotsonville Road, Clarksville, TN  37042, and the Salem sub-station is located at 2320 Seven Mile Ferry Road, Clarksville, TN 37040.

Residents who live within five miles of these sub-stations should contact their insurance carrier to see if they are eligible for a reduction in their premium.

For more information about this project, visit https://mcgtn.org/fire.

Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:38 pm

Montgomery County, TN — The Montgomery County Parks Department is asking the community to consider dedicating the gift of a tree now through January 31, 2022, for the beautification of the entryway at Richellen Park. 

The trees for this project are four to five-foot Thuja Green Giant evergreens which can be sponsored for $125 per tree. The cost covers the purchase, planting, and dedication plaque for the tree. These trees will be provided at a drastically reduced cost from Larry’s Nursery, a locally owned business. They are limited to just over 200 trees and will only be sold while they are available.

Each winter the County Parks Department tackles projects throughout park properties to enhance the beauty and functionality for the coming year. One of the opportunities for improvement identified this year, was replacing the pole and chain system lining the driveway of RichEllen Park with evergreen trees. The system has been a maintenance challenge since the construction of the park with recent damage sustained from vehicles. 

“Replacing the chain link with trees creates a more beautiful entrance as well as a reduction in maintenance costs and burden on the staff. Since the trees were not budgeted for this fiscal year, allowing individuals to sponsor trees creates community engagement,” said Montgomery County Parks Director Sally Burchett.

A Tree Dedication Ceremony will be held at RichEllen Park on Tennessee Tree Day, March 19 at 11 a.m. for individuals to place their marker at a tree they sponsored.

“This could be the perfect Christmas present for the family member who has everything. I’m purchasing a couple myself for this very reason. I would love to be able to expand this across multiple Montgomery County Parks properties over the next few years,” added Burchett.

Trees provide a lasting legacy and are a meaningful contribution towards beauty and clean air. For more information about this project, visit www.mcgtn.org/parks/trees or call (931) 648-5732.

Last Edited: July 19, 2022 @ 9:45 am

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Animal Care and Control Director David Kaske are asking for the community’s help this Christmas season. Each year, Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, along with other shelters across the United States, receives a high intake of puppies from January through March. The intake comes from well-intentioned individuals who want to give their children, spouse, or friend a puppy for Christmas. 

Kaske advises people to take their time and think about the commitment before jumping in and buying a new household pet, no matter how much begging takes place.

“Shelters generally see up to a 50% increase in puppies and returned adoptions in January and February compared to other times of the year. If you understand the commitment it takes to bring a pet into your family and you are determined to have a new pet in your home over the Christmas season, we highly encourage everyone to adopt and not to shop. We have many pets right here at our local shelter ready for a great home,” said Kaske. 

During this time of year, people often seek new pets through social media, in pet stores, and from breeders. Kaske asks that people do their research to make a wise and informed long-term decision before bringing a new pet home during the holiday season.

Here is some helpful information and questions to consider before adopting:

1. Most dogs and cats live between 10-25 years depending on the breed and species. Are you ready for that length of a commitment?
2. Dogs and cats can cost between $500 to $1,500 per year to maintain including regular vet visits, food, toys, etc. Pets with preexisting conditions can cost even more. All pets come with financial responsibilities.
3. Pets need to be cared for daily. Owning a pet means the pet needs to be fed daily, given water, walked, let outside, and given attention.
4. Discuss taking on a pet with the entire family and make the decision together as a gifting experience to ensure the pet has a long-lasting loving home. Owning a pet is a family duty and requires everyone to be on the same page.
5. Ensure those who will be around the pet often are not allergic or afraid of animals.
6. Families with small children should take time to assess whether owning a pet is the best decision at this time. Small children should be supervised around pets at all times.
7. We strongly discourage adopting a pet as a Christmas gift. In many instances the intent is good but the person receiving the gift may not be ready, able, or willing to take on a “surprise” gift.  
8. Lastly and most importantly, give your newly adopted pet time to acclimate to your family and home. Far too often, pets are returned after just a few days because pet owners are not patient in allowing the pet to become part of the family.

Kaske advises, “I like to tell people to remember the Three Dog Rule: three days for a pet to decompress and begin eating and drinking, three weeks for a pet to settle in, figure out the environment and start to develop a routine, and three months for a pet to feel comfortable in the home and create a bond.” 

For information on Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, visit mcgtn.org.

Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:38 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Government offices will close Wednesday, Dec. 22 at noon and will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31 2021, in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

County Offices will be open to the public during normal operating hours all other days of the work week through the holiday season.

For information on Montgomery County Government, and services offered online, visit mcgtn.org.