The Livingston Police Department partnering with Friends of Overton County Animals to address animal welfare and overpopulation through a Friday fundraiser.
Chief Ray Smith said the department is working to bring awareness to animal welfare needs while supporting fundraisers that provide resources for local rescue efforts. Smith said the department has established strong relationships with several area groups to address long-standing needs for animals in Livingston and Overton County.
“We finally have got a good, large, and good solid foundation of several groups that’s in our area to help us with situation,” Smith said. “And we recognize that we need to be all working together and joining together in the situation of the animals here in Livingston City and just on all, just taking care of some great needs that’s always been there and we’re able to take care of it now.”
Smith said the department works hand in hand with animal rescue experts to conduct welfare checks and provide information to pet owners.
Their latest collaboration will be a bingo night fundraiser at Joe L. Evins Community Center Friday.
Smith said many situations involve owners who become overwhelmed by the responsibility of animal care rather than intentional malice.
“Sometimes folks take on something that’s bigger than what they thought and they find themselves in a bind,” Smith said. “That’s not the problem. The problem is when the animals get mistreated and being done wrong. Unfortunately a lot of times it just overwhelms somebody, so we’re an asset and there’s assets out there to help them or help them get the animal adopted out to another family that can handle them.”
Smith said the increased collaboration has led to better care for animals and a more informed public. Smith said the community response has been positive as residents recognize the crisis and work to ensure that animals will be protected in the area.
“When you get public and ourselves together, united in a partnership and everybody on the understanding and everybody on the one page, well, the outreach is endless,” Smith said. You can continue to continue to do out and show. It’s an endless event. I don’t see an end to it, but I see a lot of knowledge being passed and a lot of understanding being brought to everybody.”
Smith said the partnership makes law enforcement more efficient by providing officers with resources they previously lacked when responding to daily calls. Smith said the department acts as an resource to call upon these specialized groups when animal health and welfare issues arise.
“We asked for help and these groups come to us and said we hear you cry for help and we came,” Smith said. “You’re not at an end. There’s others out there that’s willing to help you get through things and this where we’re at today. I think we’re helping one another in a great way, and I believe it’s going to expand past Overton County and into others.”
Smith said the mission of the department and its partners is to continue working together to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
