KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Loud barking sounds, doggy eyes staring at you and adoption services are the first things you encounter when you enter one of the Young-Williams Animal Center buildings. A nonprofit organization that is now taking over animal control services in Knoxville and Knox County.
The CEO of the organization, Janet Testerman, said this was a long overdue step they were trying to take.
The Knoxville Police Department communications manager Scott Erland said their department receives about 10,000 calls related to animal services per year. This change helps free resources, he said.
"We can focus on more important, larger, more critical, I should say public safety issues," Erland said. "It's just giving those supervisors freeing them up of the day-to-day management of animal control."
Young-Williams have already been heavily involved in the process, Erland explained.
If KPD ever had to seize a dog, or if they grabbed a loose animal, it would go to Young-Williams. So this means KPD has already been familiar with what they should expect.
Testerman said they are confident in this role and this was the only piece of the pie that they did not manage when it had to do with animal welfare in the community.
"We've been a partner with the city and the county for 20 years as their sheltering partner, so at the end of the day, we have contractual obligations," Testerman said. "But we also think with our community-based model, that we can effectively make greater change, help people come into compliance with what local ordinances are because the majority of pet owners don't know what the laws are, and also be a direct conduit to the resources that we're already providing when they're referred to us."
According to the city, the organization will receive over $3 million from the city over the next four years. They will provide more than $415,000 in transition and start-up costs. Knoxville will then pay $628,178 within the first year of their contract with YWAC. That's the base year, to be followed by the same amount plus a 2% increase each year for three more years to offset inflation.
The following annual service contract amounts:
- Year 1: $628,178
- Year 2: $640,741.56
- Year 3: $653,556.39
- Year 4: $666,627.42
This total amounts to $2,589,103.47, plus the start-up/transition costs, putting the city's 4-year total at just over $3 million, the city said.
The money will pay for a team of 17 people -- from fleet services to training and day-to-day operations, Testerman said.
Rachel Ide is the director of animal services and the one who will lead the animal control team.
"My biggest hope is that we can provide the best services for this community and empower this community to trust us to reach out when they have insecurities," Ide said.
KPD will continue to support Young-Williams and work alongside them whenever they need assistance.
If there's a scene that delves into the criminal matter where a law enforcement officer is needed, Erland said KPD will be there and will still provide investigative support.
While the nonprofit's animal control officers won't be part of a police department, they will do as much as they can.
"Animal control officers, even once they transition over to the Young-Williams Animal Center, they still have the ability to enforce the applicable city ordinances and state laws," Erland said.
Testerman said by taking an average of 11,000 animals per year, they already have established accountability within their organization and to the community.
Yet, Young-Williams will answer to Knox County and Knoxville due to contractual obligations.
"We will still have the authority to work with a law enforcement liaison, should there be a criminal charge of abuse or neglect," Testerman said. "Accountability, first of all, will come from within myself, the director, the supervisor of this new team. So, you know, we have pretty high standards."
To report an incident, the new number will lead to the organization's dispatch, which is 865-407-2229, and for emergencies you would still call 911.