Animal control change is now in effect on the Treasure Coast. St. Lucie County launched a 24/7 animal control response for residents in unincorporated areas, a change county leaders say addresses long-standing community concerns and improves public safety. The new response model began on Jan. 8 after months of advocacy from County Commissioner Jamie Lee Fowler, who said residents repeatedly raised concerns about inconsistent after-hours animal control services.”So, unless it was an emergency or the animal was injured, that’s pretty much exactly the response they would get is we’re closed. They’re not open. Call back Monday morning,” said Fowler. Fast forward to now, what this new model means for the county is when you call 911 or the non-emergency line for a stray or injured animal after hours, an animal services officer will respond. “Whoever is on call, they’re going to get up, and they’re going to respond to that call, and they’re going to handle that animal just like they would during Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m,” Fowler explained. All three animal control agencies within the county already have an officer who is on call for after-hour animal calls that reach a certain criteria. But the 24/7 response is now for “unincorporated” areas. “If you live outside of the city of Port St. Lucie and outside the city of Fort Pierce, pretty much west of town, St. Lucie County, areas of White City along Midway Road, Indian River estates, even the reserve in St. Lucie west.”Fowler and County Animal Division Manager Maria Valencia says this 24/7 model also has a public safety component to it. “The last thing we want is someone to hit an animal. An animal, when they’re loose, responds very differently than they would in their natural environment.” Fowler said. “Unfortunately, in some of those cases, the dogs ended up biting or getting out and getting injured in the process… so responding to the strays after hours with an animal safety officer…it protects the public from getting bit or the animal from getting harmed,” said Valencia. Valencia said per week, the division was getting around 30-40 calls because they did not respond to strays after hours. Now the county animal division is in the process of moving the service hours to 7 days a week, but until then, the 24/7 response fills that gap. Valencia explained, “That is a process, we have to go through our legal, our HR, or the union just to make sure everybody is on the same page about adding additional officers. If we went to 7 days a week, the on-call officer would still respond after hours for the strays, but at least there are multiple officers on at least 12 hours of the day.”

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —

Animal control change is now in effect on the Treasure Coast. St. Lucie County launched a 24/7 animal control response for residents in unincorporated areas, a change county leaders say addresses long-standing community concerns and improves public safety.

The new response model began on Jan. 8 after months of advocacy from County Commissioner Jamie Lee Fowler, who said residents repeatedly raised concerns about inconsistent after-hours animal control services.

“So, unless it was an emergency or the animal was injured, that’s pretty much exactly the response they would get is we’re closed. They’re not open. Call back Monday morning,” said Fowler.

Fast forward to now, what this new model means for the county is when you call 911 or the non-emergency line for a stray or injured animal after hours, an animal services officer will respond.

“Whoever is on call, they’re going to get up, and they’re going to respond to that call, and they’re going to handle that animal just like they would during Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m,” Fowler explained.

All three animal control agencies within the county already have an officer who is on call for after-hour animal calls that reach a certain criteria. But the 24/7 response is now for “unincorporated” areas.

“If you live outside of the city of Port St. Lucie and outside the city of Fort Pierce, pretty much west of town, St. Lucie County, areas of White City along Midway Road, Indian River estates, even the reserve in St. Lucie west.”

Fowler and County Animal Division Manager Maria Valencia says this 24/7 model also has a public safety component to it.

“The last thing we want is someone to hit an animal. An animal, when they’re loose, responds very differently than they would in their natural environment.” Fowler said.

“Unfortunately, in some of those cases, the dogs ended up biting or getting out and getting injured in the process… so responding to the strays after hours with an animal safety officer…it protects the public from getting bit or the animal from getting harmed,” said Valencia.

Valencia said per week, the division was getting around 30-40 calls because they did not respond to strays after hours. Now the county animal division is in the process of moving the service hours to 7 days a week, but until then, the 24/7 response fills that gap. Valencia explained, “That is a process, we have to go through our legal, our HR, or the union just to make sure everybody is on the same page about adding additional officers. If we went to 7 days a week, the on-call officer would still respond after hours for the strays, but at least there are multiple officers on at least 12 hours of the day.”