GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County Animal Services, Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, Environmental Services, Clay Humane and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received the Outstanding Cooperative Team Achievement Award from the Florida Animal Control Association for the Old Jennings Animal Acquisition Incident.

The award is given annually to a FACA member organization that demonstrates the success of a team effort to accomplish a goal.

On Oct. 11, 2021, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay County Animal Services executed a search warrant at a property located on Old Jennings Road. The search warrant resulted in the removal, impounding and subsequent rehoming of 266 animals including domesticated dogs and various breeds of livestock and fowl found living in deplorable conditions. The complicated process involved long-term coordination and planning between several Clay County agencies and organizations including Clay County Animal Services, sheriff’s office, environmental services, emergency management, fire rescue, public works, Clay Humane and 127 volunteers. The dedicated professionals safely executed the search warrant, seized, and transported the animals, and conducted intake and assessment operations, all during the first 15-hour operational period.  

In Clay County, the Board of County Commissioners, Department of Public Safety, including Fire Rescue and Emergency Management, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Animal Services, and Clay Humane have a strong working relationship. That established relationship and the understanding and use of the Incident Command System by the agencies involved are the reasons why this large-scale, county-operated animal seizure incident was so successful and transitioned smoothly from the sheriff’s office’s lead, to the Division of Emergency Management and Clay County Animal Services. 

“The animal seizure incident involved a tremendous amount of planning and coordination between agencies, which led to the safe and successful execution of all operational objectives. The award and recognition for the outstanding cooperative effort is truly deserved by everyone involved,” county commission chairman Wayne Bolla said.