Families in Columbia County deserve transparency, accountability, and compassion when it comes to all animal services and operations within the county.

This petition is being created after growing community concerns regarding owner reunification efforts, public transparency, animal handling procedures, and accountability involving animal services operations throughout Columbia County.

For many families, pets are family members. Community members have raised concerns after situations involving lost and impounded animals where questions remained about whether enough public effort was made to help reunite pets with their owners. Concerns have also been raised regarding the public posting of found animals, access to records, communication with families, and overall operational transparency.

These concerns have led many residents to ask for greater oversight and reform involving all animal services and operations within the county, including the county’s contractual relationship with ZooTrek Inc..

Additionally, community members are requesting greater transparency regarding the county’s oversight, vetting procedures, and compliance requirements for contractors involved in county animal operations.

• Residents are respectfully asking county officials to clarify:
• - What vetting and screening procedures were conducted prior to entering into contracts involving county animal operations;
  - Whether criminal background checks were completed for individuals in leadership or director positions associated with contracted animal service providers;
  - What accountability measures and operational standards are currently required for contractors;
  - And whether contractor qualifications, compliance, and performance are regularly reviewed by the county.
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• We believe Columbia County residents deserve:
• - Mandatory timely and public posting of ALL found and stray animals, including posting on social media platforms such as Facebook with clear photographs, intake date, found loaction, and identifiable details such as collars, leashes, tags, markings, and other distinguishing characteristics to improve owner reunification efforts
• - Longer stray holding periods to increase the opportunity for owner reunification before animals are transferred, adopted, or euthanized.
  - Collaboration between Columbia County Animal Enforcement and Lake City Humane Society to publicly post all found and stray animals in a timely manner to improve visibility and reunification efforts
• - Stronger owner reunification procedures before transfer or euthanasia
  - Greater transparency involving animal intake and outcome records
  - Public access to policies, contracts, and operational procedures
  - Accountability and independent review of citizen concerns
  - Humane and compassionate treatment of all animals within city and county animal operations
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• We respectfully ask Columbia County officials to:
  - Review all current animal services and operational procedures within the city and county 
  - Improve transparency and public communication
  - Strengthen reunification efforts for lost pets
  - Ensure accountability for all agencies, contractors, and organizations involved in county animal operations
  - Review existing contracts and contractor oversight procedures
  - Implement reforms that prioritize both animal welfare and public trust

This petition is not intended to harass or target individuals. Its purpose is to encourage meaningful reform, transparency, and accountability while ensuring families and animals are treated fairly and compassionately.

Animals cannot speak for themselves, and families deserve confidence that every reasonable effort is being made to reunite lost pets with the people who love them.

This petition was inspired by a heartbreaking local experience involving a family dog that was picked up while still wearing a collar. The family later discovered concerns that little to no public effort may have been made to help reunite the dog with its owners, including concerns that the dog may never have been publicly posted online as a found or stray animal. 

Dolly is a 7-year-old black Labrador Retriever who had been with her family since she was just 8 weeks old. She is deeply loved and missed by the family she grew up with, including 6 young children who miss her dearly and want nothing more than to have her safely returned home.

Dolly was transferred out by ZooTrek Inc. from Columbia County Animal Enforcement after becoming lost.

As pet owners know, dogs can get loose. Families should have a fair opportunity to locate and reclaim their pets before permanent decisions are made. A beloved family dog should not have to start over with strangers when a loving family has spent years caring for and raising that animal.

Dolly's story has become a painful reminder of why stronger owner reunification efforts, transparency, and public accountability within animal services operations are so important. There is a link at the bottom of this petition that will take you to the Facebook page sharing Dolly's story. Please consider visiting, following, and sharing the page to help bring awareness to this situation.

NO family should have to wonder whether more could have been done to bring their pet home safely.

Situations like this leave families devastated and create a loss of trust within the community. 

Please sign and share this petition to help bring awareness and support transparency, accountability, and positive change for ALL animal services and operations in Columbia County, Florida. 

Remember, community residents are the voice for change. Every signature, every share, and every voice matters when it comes to protecting animals and improving transparency and accountability within our community. Facebook link to Dolly's story: Bring Dolly Home