Clay County Animal Services — Local services in Starke

UPDATE ADDED at bottom I've both adopted from and been to this facility several times. That being said, I think these people are a mix of those who truly and genuinely care and those that are just there for the money. They didn't give me the full vet records and diagnosis of my barn cat, and because of that, he ended up being extremely sick. Sicker than they'd begun to even touch on when I was asking questions about him. That was almost a year ago. Then, yesterday, I noticed an intake photo of a pup looking almost exactly like my girl. She's not missing, but her siblings were given away when I got her, and so I thought it was one of them and wanted to confirm. I called and simply asked if they could check for a specific marking on his rear, because both photos I'd seen didn't cover it, and they told me that the one lady I spoke to wasn't allowed to leave her desk to check. Was it that impossible to send someone back for one second? This could rehome a dog that could've been dumped. I just didn't understand how hard it was to simply check a dog for a marking instead of forcing someone to drive 50 minutes up there to check, when even if it is, I won't be able to take the dog home because I don't have proper proof of ownership. If it is her brother, I'd love to save him. But these people are apparently lazy to helping others and the dogs they take in, even for something as simple as putting me on hold and finding out if a dog has a mark on his butt. UPDATE : I made it into the shelter to meet the dog and confirmed it was my pups brother. So, let me make sure I cover everything from the beginning so that everyone knows why this review went from 3 stars to 1, because there was a semblance of respect for these people up until these issues. They didn't even ask if I'd adopted from them before (I had. My poor, sickly barn cat they'd neglected), which is typical of a shelter to do, because usually they like to know how your other animal is doing. They didn't ask any questions about me or my life or my other owned pets. Not only that, -and believe me, most people will be like "Why is this an issue?", but it just shows how easily neglectful and forgetful their staff is- they didn't charge me his adoption fee. This tiny note I'm making here isn't as important because shelters aren't always correct on ages, but they aged him eight months older than he was. Anyways, he came home with me and his sister. Fast forward about a week or two. His records say he was treated for worms. He doesn't have any fleas so I can believe the treatment for that, but the poor dog has worms in his poop as of today- I looked up the meds he was given and they should've taken care of everything and lasted a full month. We're going to see our vet in a day or two because clearly I wouldn't ever desire this type of responsibility in the hands of CCAS ever again. If you ever have to deal with a shelter, use Safe Animal Shelter in Middleburg. They don't accept stray intakes but for owner surrenders and adoptions and just overall dealing with people and their animals? Safe Animal Shelter 100% of the way. I've been a foster for a month with them now and only been in a few times but I'm always greeted and recognized, regardless of how many people they deal with a day. Lovely, lovely people. CCAS on the other hand? Neglectful and lazy to both their animals and their...

After driving all over Jacksonville trying to find a new cat to replace my recent deceased kitties, I finally came to this place. I fully understand the need to make sure that animals are not abused, but every place I went to wanted me to fill out an application, get approved and then return in about a week. I am like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka in I want it now. I was directed to the cat house, and I looked around for my new kitty. I asked f I could hold her but, really wasn't answered as the woman that was in the cat house pretty much walked out saying it was 3:30 and time for her to leave. So, I followed her back to the main building as I didn't feel comfortable being in the other building with no employee. (I was covering my liability, just in case something were to have happened while I was alone in that building.) she just walked through the door behind the desk leaving me with no clue on what to do. So, I was kind of forced to pick my kitty out with only about three minutes to choose. Then at the desk, I was told that only certain people are authorized to give out the animals. Fortunately, one woman stated, "Please, don't worry. We will get you your kitty today." I filled out the paperwork. Fortunately, the adoptions are based on how much you can afford. If unable to make.a donation, I was given a piece of paper and a business card to make a donation when I am able. It also requests pet food, towels, and other items in lieu of money. After filing out my paperwork, I was handed a file on my kitty depicting her health records, her rabies tags, her chip number and a phone number t call in order to switch the information to me. Also, on my way out the door, my kitty was placed in a box and handed to me. I am extremely lucky in that my kitty is very lovable and she has acclimated quickly to her new surroundings.

My only complaint would be with the meh attitude I was given by the person in the cat house. I don't expect to be pampered, but, she could have at least informed me what she was doing before she just left. I definitely understand wanting to leave on time, but, that doesn't mean to simply ignore people. I arrived at approximately 3:24 pm on...

If I could I would rate 0 stars. We adopted a kitten from here, had her for a week when she scratched me on my leg. A couple days later Im completely covered in ringworm. 44 lesions over my whole body. I take the kitten back and ask them to check her for ringworm. They told me I could have gotten it from anywhere. Their cats are clean before being put up for adoption. I tell them it started from the scratch. They unwillingly take her back to get checked and come back quickly and apologetically saying they don't know how this happened. Meanwhile I have to throw away everything we just bought and decontaminate my entire house. It was extremely expensive. I missed work etc. Then our dog got it. My boyfriend got it too a couple weeks later. Had to decontaminate again about 4 times total it was HELL because of their mistake. I tried to treat the cat at home but when the dog got it I took her back. They reluctantly agreed to treat her there and give her back when she was cleared of the ringworm since I now have to isolate and treat my dog as well. A week later I get a call to tell me that they missed the fact that she has FIP, a deadly unteatable and highly contagious cat disease. And instead of getting a call to pick her up I had to give permission to put the kitten we just adopted down. On top of it had to worry about my other cats catching it and dying as well. Thankfully they are ok but this could have been an even MORE awful situation then what I already went thru. Skip forward. A few months later I found a puppy on the side of the road. I rescued her and tried to find owner with no luck. I email this place they tell me on Monday to bring her in tuesday-saturday this week between 11-3. I show up on Wednesday at 2pm for them to tell me they are closed!!!!! I drove all the way out there for no reason. Like every one else said I even tried calling first but no one answers the goddam phone or calls back. WORST multiple experiences I've ever had from one place. NEGATIVE...