Citrus County Shelter Staff feeding puppuccions to a dog currently waiting for his furever home. |
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Did you know that August is National Dog Month? Aside from our outstanding K-9 unit, we are so proud of the work that our Animal Control Officers (ACO) do for our community. These passionate individuals provide services ranging from processing animal-involved complaints, protecting abused pets and livestock, and even the handling of nuisance and dangerous animals.
Our ACOs share a special relationship with one of our community partners, Citrus County Animal Services (CCAS), also known as our local animal shelter. Lost, neglected, and abused critters eventually make their way to our animal shelter, thanks to the help of concerned citizens as well as our ACOs.
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As much as some of us would love to be able to take every animal home, we simply do not have the ability or means to do that, and that's where CCAS comes in! Shelter volunteers admit recovered animals and begin to process their intake with the necessary housing, care, and treatment needed.
Thanks to the efficient partnership between CCAS volunteers and our ACOs, the people as well as the animals of Citrus County are brought peace of mind. Whether it's rescuing neglected animals from an abusive household, or returning an animal to its rightful owner, all can take a sigh of relief at the end of the day, knowing that they have changed an animal's life for the better.
If you know of a neglected or abused pet, please give us a call on our non-emergency number at 352-249-2790.
The animal shelter is located at 4030 South Airport Road in Inverness and is open Tuesdays-Saturdays. Their hours are 10 AM-5 PM, although they are open from 10 AM-7 PM on Thursdays. You can contact them by calling 352-746-8400.
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Hurricane season is still in full effect:
Will you weather the storm?
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Did you know we're still in the midst of hurricane season?
Read on for helpful safety tips!
By now, we hope that many of you have taken at least a few basic steps to ensure your safety. Whether you were born and raised in Florida or just moved here, it's important to prepare sooner rather than later for hurricane season. In fact, the earlier the better so you won't have to worry about traffic, crowded stores, and store shelves being empty of invaluable supplies!
Florida's hurricane season will last until November 30th, so there is still plenty of opportunity for you to stock up on supplies. It is recommended to have a seven-day supply of non-perishable food and water. One gallon of water, per day, per person who may live in your household, and let's not forget medical supplies or your pets! Did you know that 1/3 of pet owners don't have a disaster preparedness plan ready for their animals? Few local shelters accept animals, so do your research! Prepare now, don't wait until a hurricane is off the coast of Florida.
Check your local evacuation plan! If you don't have one already, develop one. If you have to evacuate, plan a few options regarding where you would go and how you could get there. Be sure to write your plan down and share it with family members. Also, be sure to check out our 2021 Virtual All Hazards and Hurricane Expo! Due to COVID-19, we are hosting our annual All Hazards and Hurricane Expo virtually, which may be even more convenient for you to access since it's available any time, day or night from your computer or smartphone. This free expo features brief presentations from a variety of our community partners. Posts are made on our Facebook page (@Sheriffcitrus) every Tuesday and Thursday.
Ensuring your safety is our highest priority. Safety begins with preparation and education, so take heed of these tips to weather the storm this year!
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ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: Are you CERT-ified for a natural disaster?
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We're about to reach the peak of hurricane season! Are you prepared?
Are you prepared in the event of a natural disaster? Have you rehearsed the plan with your family to ensure their preparedness? If you answered “No” and are unsure of how to prepare, then you should consider signing up for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
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It was started in 2000 and since then has trained over six hundred citizens. Of those, there are over one hundred licensed Amateur Radio operators who have successfully completed the Amateur Radio course for communications.
You will receive training sponsored by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office who will provide you with the guidance needed to navigate the beginning and aftermath of a natural disaster. The training gives everyday people the tools to assist loved ones and neighbors with disaster preparedness utilizing the Incident Command System. It also falls under the Citizen Corps umbrella and is overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Part of the benefit, also possibly the reward, of being a CERT member is the ability to attend local festivals and parades. During your scheduled hours of volunteering at these events, you may be expected to give first aid, utilize radio communications, and assist with traffic control in addition to promoting CERT.
CERT can prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighborhood in the event of either a man-made or natural disaster. Monthly meetings are held to inform volunteers of the success of past events and the opportunity to assist with upcoming events. If interested in joining CERT, or for more information, please contact Emergency Management Director Amanda Woodward at 352-249-2700.
Arlena Newson, CERT PIO
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CALLING ALL GOOD-HEARTED PEOPLE |
CCSO is currently looking for good hearted people who wish to fill one of our many volunteer positions. Join others who already, selflessly donate their time to help us and their community!
Our volunteers bring their life experiences and personal talents to help support our mission in making Citrus County the safest community in Florida.
Hours for volunteers are flexible, Monday-Friday,
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Applicants must complete a Volunteer Application and pass a background check.
If you’re interested, fill out an application online at sheriffcitrus.org or call us at 352-746-3484 for more information.
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DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER!
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Did you know that drunk driving kills 28 people per day in the U.S.? We at the Citrus County Sheriff's Office are proud to work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their nationwide "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.
This campaign will run through Labor Day weekend, although we would like to remind you that it is NEVER ok to drink and drive!
In Florida, we have had 3,133 fatalities this year alone, about 1/3 of which are alcohol-related fatalities. Sadly, Florida is also one of the top 3 states for the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities per year.
There are plenty of ways to make sure everyone has a safe night of fun! Simple steps that you can take are to designate a sober driver prior to drinking, utilize a ride-share program, or even call a taxi service. Perhaps you could call a friend or family member as well; I'm sure they would be happy to pick you up instead of risking your safety or other motorists! However you choose to get home, be responsible.
For more information on this safety campaign, visit the NHTSA's website here.
Drive sober and drive safely, Citrus!
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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
July 2021
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COMMUNICATIONS
Trace Vitt
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A RIDDLE WITH CAPTAIN SPIDDLE
COMMANDER OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
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My master, I implore.
Eyes darting,
I need that open door.
An echo, my master’s call.
Ready and eager,
out of the car I fall.
Heart pounding,
Eyes darting,
Target sighted, I start bounding.
The distance I close.
Gaining quickly,
he does not oppose.
Master scratches behind my ear,
and target a nice chew toy,
“good boy” I hear.
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Answer to last month's riddle: A crossing guard |
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CITRUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE www.SheriffCitrus.org
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