NORTH VERNON, Ind. — North Vernon Mayor’s Assistant Tara Thormin is the designated appointee to the Jennings County Animal Control. At Monday’s first meeting of the North Vernon City Council in 2025, Thormin addressed the Council with updates regarding the animal shelter.
Thormin was happy to report that the number of adopted animals increased from 118 in 2023 to 328 in 2024. She also said that the number of euthanized animals lowered from 588 in 2023 to 401 in 2024.
Below are additional highlights from 2024:
- They have hired a second officer which allows the facility to be open later in the evening for adoptions and emergencies.
- Volunteers started “Friends of Jennings County Animal Control” where donations were raised to help sponsor adoption fees, provide emergency medical care, and collect itemized donations.
- They now have a credit card, which means adopters and sponsors can use their cards and make donations directly to the facility online.
- People can view all of their available animals on a website called Pet Finder.
- All animals that leave the facility are now microchipped , and anyone can bring their pet into the facility to have their animal microchipped for $20.
- You can now foster animals through Animal Control as long as the animal is fixed and up-to-date on their vaccines.
- Public Vet now has a location in Jennings County which offers low-cost spay and neuter assistance for cats.
- Indoor and outdoor dog kennels are now larger and more durable.
- Jennings Vet has partnered with them in order to visit monthly to give rabies vaccinations and examine all the shelter animals.
Finally, Thormin said they are looking to increase owner surrender fees, only allow Jennings County residents to surrender animals to their shelter, create more volunteer events, and continue raising donations..