Topics of Interest

    
**For All Emergencies, Dial 911**
 

EMA

EMA Information EMA Emergency Radio EMA Mission & Responsibilities EMA Additional Information

Fire Department

Fire Department Information Fire Department Statistics Fire Mission & Responsibilities Fire Station Officers 2008

Animal Control

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Quinton Still, Director

Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For the latest Emergency and Weather information in Oconee County, you can tune your radio to 1610 on the AM dial. This emergency radio station is maintained by Oconee County Emergency Management Agency.

Mission and Responsibilities

Mission:  The mission of the Oconee County Emergency Management Agency is to prepare for and assist in the protection of lives and property of the county's citizens in the event of natural or manmade disasters through the processes of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

EMA Primary Responsibilities & Programs:

Additional EMA Information

Oconee County Emergency Management Agency is the local community-based equivalent of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency at the state level and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the federal level. We work closely with these agencies (as well as dozens of others, both public and private) before, during, and after emergencies and disasters.

The Oconee County Emergency Management Agency is responsible for assisting in the protection of lives and property of Oconee County citizens in the event of natural or manmade disasters. Emergency Management anticipates emergencies, takes steps to prevent loss of life and property, and provides quick response when havoc strikes.

Oconee County's Emergency Management Agency was established by the commissioners to develop and implement a county-wide program. The backbone of the county-wide program is that all emergency agency and support agencies work together. Emergency management and other emergency agencies identify hazards that face each community and develop contingency plans for each potential emergency. Emergency management provides the expertise, training, and coordination that local governments need to protect lives and property.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT
Located at Oconee County Government Annex
1291 Greensboro Highway
Send mail to:
P.O. Box 732
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 769-3975

*For All Emergencies, Dial 911*

Bruce Thaxton, Fire Chief

Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mission and Responsibilities

Mission:  The mission of the Fire Department is to save lives and property in Oconee County, strive to provide the best ISO rating, and promote fire safety to make Oconee County a safer place to live.

In addition, the Fire Department is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing fire prevention and fire suppression activities of seven volunteer fire stations in Oconee County. The seven fire stations are staffed with 145 volunteer firefighters. The Fire Chief and secretary are full-time paid county employees.

Fire Department Primary Responsibilities & Programs:

• Managing an operating budget for seven fire stations.

• Managing an operating budget for the Fire Chief's department.

• Responding to all structure fires in Oconee County and most other calls.

• Keeping updated records for ISO and working to achieve the best rating.

• Preparing specifications for new fire trucks and equipment.

• Coordinating joint training for all stations.

• Providing fire safety classes for schools and daycare centers.

• Working with local and state agencies on arson fires.

• Recruiting new firefighters and coordinating recruit training.

• Preparing correspondence, proposals, rules and regulations, policies and various reports.

• Preparing media press releases on a weekly basis.

• Serving on the development review committee.

• Serving on the safety committee.

• Attending training seminars, workshops, conferences and conventions.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT STATISTICS

Annual Response Report - 2007 (PDF)

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Click Here to view the Adoptable Pets at Oconee County Animal Shelter on the PETFINDER web site!

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC In an effort to better serve the community, effective August 27, 2006, Oconee County Animal Control will be open to the public Monday and Tuesday from 10 am - 5 pm, Wednesday, the shelter is closed to the public, but appointments are available, Thursday and Friday from 10 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 12 noon, the shelter is closed Sunday and all holidays. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the shelter at 706-769-3956 or e-mail  cvickers@oconee.ga.us.

*CLICK HERE FOR ADOPTION FORMS*

Click Here for Helpful Information from Animal Control

ANIMAL CONTROL VAN

The Oconee County Animal Control Department is very pleased with the county's support.  Except for $4,500, this beautiful van was purchased with donations collected from the community and during two fund raisers.  The van allows the officers to hold up to 9 animals plus it can haul more cages to humanely confine stray dogs and cats.  The van is also used for adoption days.  Please click on the thumbnail photo above for a larger view.

Meet the ANIMAL SHELTER Staff!

Animal Control Director Catlyn Vickers started at Oconee County in April 2002.  She started her long animal career as the first Animal Control Officer in Winter Springs, Florida in 1974.  She is Level 3 National Animal Control Association certified, the highest level offered.  Catlyn worked with Athens-Clarke County Animal Control as a road officer in 1996. In November 1999, she was offered the position as Director of Barrow County Animal Control.  In 2002, Catlyn applied for the Director position with Oconee to be closer to home.  She intends to retire as Director in the next 12 or 15 years. Catlyn has rescued all her cats from shelters where she has worked.  She also has adopted Moses, a Black & Tan Coon Hound puppy from the Oconee County Shelter. Susan Jones came on board in September of 2005.  Susan says, "I think I have the greatest job ever."  She completed Levels I and II training with the National Animal Control Association and is nationally certified.  Susan plans to retire from Oconee County.  She is someone who loves working with animals and it gives her a great feeling when an animal is placed in a "forever home."  Susan has been married to husband Chris for 11 years - they have two children: Tyler is 15, attends Oconee County High School and plays on the high school baseball team and on the senior league for Oconee Little League; Brandon is 21, a graduate of OCHS, is now a United States Marine.  Susan has 3 dogs, Tanner, Desoto and Sophie (who was adopted from the Oconee County Shelter), 4 cats adopted from the OC Shelter, Marco, Indie, China and Trenton.  Susan says of her pets, "they make our house a home." Laura Hearn is the shelter's Rescue and Adoption Coordinator.  Laura started working with Oconee County animal Control in October 2005.  She has 4 cats, 2 dogs and a turtle.  Laura's goal is to boost adoptions and place Oconee County's strays in permanent loving homes.  Laura posts the adoptable animals on Petfinder, in Critter Magazine, in the Oconee Enterprise's Pet of the Week.  She also schedules all Adoption Days. Nancy Bennett started at the shelter in January 2006.  Nancy spent 10 years in the US Coast Guard where she was trained as a machinery technician, aids to navigations, search and rescue and pollution investigation.  Nancy is very family oriented.  She has a 3 year old son, Aiden.  Nancy moved to Georgia from Washington, DC five years ago and finds Oconee County very relaxing.  She has 4 dogs and 4 cats - all rescues including 6 from the Oconee County Animal Shelter. Joseph Berryman worked with Athens-Clarke County for 20 years in Facilities Management and worked 10 years part time with Oconee County becoming a full-time employee in 1999.  His previous duties with Oconee County were as the Inmate and Community Service Coordinator.  Joe transferred to the Animal Control Department in November 2006.  He is also a volunteer with the Oconee County Fire Department and the Farmington Community Center.  Joe has a son, Joseph, Jr. who is married with 3 children.  Joe's hobbies are hunting, fishing, walking and sports. Crystal Berisko started with Oconee County Animal Control in September 2007.  Before coming to Georgia, Crystal worked in West Palm Beach, Florida as an Animal Control Officer and Adoption/Customer Service Representative.  Crystal brought many new ideas to the facility and works very hard on revamping the shelter's volunteer program.  At home, Crystal wears many hats.  She has two children, Kevin, Jr. and Cailyn and her husband is a deputy in the county where she resides.  Farm Berisko houses dogs, goats, a rescue chicken, fish, a cat and a parrot.  Crystal has many important goals she has put on her plate including improving the public's awareness on pet owner responsibility, humane education, and concentrating on problem areas in the county. Johnny Legaspi started with Oconee County in January 2008.  Johnny is the newest member of the Shelter staff.  He is a single parent with a son Keanau, lovingly called "Bubba."  Johnny has lived in Georgia off and on for 11 years.  He attended high school in Green County, but graduated from high school in Texas.  Johnny is driven to practice self improvement and takes online courses from South University where he is studying for a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice.  He plans to become a Conservation Ranger.  With the little free time he has, Johnny loves to fish, hunt, gold, and coach football and baseball.

Special Letters

A LETTER TO PROSPECTIVE SHELTER PARENTS August, 2005 We adopted our darling Barley from the Oconee Shelter back in April of this year and we could not possibly love him more.  We cannot imagine having missed out on knowing this little bundle of love. Barley has an unbelievable zest for life and bounds out of bed every morning wagging not only his tail, but every bone in his body.  After he has greeted everyone in the family, he runs back to check and see if all of his treasures (bones, toys, etc.) are still where he left them and then tries to choose the toy of the moment - pink ball usually wins. One unforgettable moment with Barley, soon after he came to live with us - we bought a very large bag of dog food and as he watched us pour it into its storage container, his eyes grew huge.  He couldn't imagine that all that food was going to be available to him, whenever he needed it.  We call the food bin his Treasure Box.  He adapted to our family life immediately and wants so much to be a good boy, always! Before Barley, we only had purebred dogs in our family.  We have loved them all but, after knowing Barley, we will go to a shelter first when adding a new member to our family in the future. We are so thankful to the staff at Oconee Shelter for loving and caring for our Barley until we found each other! With many, many thanks, The Clayton Family Lula, Georgia Please click here for Ode to Barley picture and poem (PDF) Back to top of Pet Corner

Special Photos (Click on Thumbnails for larger view)

Turkey Talk Animal Shelter First Turkeys, Now . . . Puppy Kit Toy Basket

Helpful Information from Animal Control

Animal Control Department 1171 Branch Road Bishop, Georgia  30621 Catlyn Vickers, Animal Control Director Laura Hearn, Animal Control Officer Nancy Bennett, Animal Control Officer Joseph Berryman, Animal Control Officer Susan Jones, Secretary Animal Control Mission and Responsibilities The essential mission of the Animal Control Department is to enforce the Animal Control Ordinance of Oconee County. Primary Responsibilities & Programs: Enforce Animal Control Ordinance and issue citations accordingly. Pick up stray and abandoned animals. Promote adoption programs in the community and on the Internet. Work closely with Rescue Organizations and other Animal Control agencies. Investigate reports of cruelty and negligence to animals. Euthanize un-adopted animals, as necessary. Rescue sick and injured animals. Educate the public on responsible pet ownership. Visit schools and teach responsible pet ownership, bite prevention, recognition of rabies, and animal behavior. Assist the Rabies Control Officer. Quarantine animals for biting or exposure to rabies. Trap and capture dogs and cats. For Additional information please contact: Oconee County Animal Control Phone# (706)769-3956 If you are interested in adopting any of our pets, please call Animal Control Officer Laura Hearn at (706) 769-3956  or e-mail: rescuegirl@oconee.ga.us    SHELTER HOURS   Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon unless there is an adoption event   Wednesdays, Sundays & all Holidays Closed to Public Service calls will be answered 7 days a week. The Animal Adoption Fee for Dogs or Cats is $100.  The price includes sterilization, Rabies vaccination, micro-chipping and a light veterinary exam.  All animals are sterilized prior to release for adoption and can be picked up from the veterinarian.  Oconee County Animal Control does not guarantee the health of an adopted animal.  If known problems are evident, the shelter will disclose information to the adopter.  A Match Made In Heaven 1. Take the time to consider if an animal is the right choice for you at this time. 2. Be familiar with breed characteristics so you can choose the right animal for you. 3. Listen to the recommendations of the shelter staff. 4. Choose an animal best fitting your lifestyle. 5. Have realistic expectations about your animal’s behavior. 6. Encourage your animal to be friendly to every one he meets. 7. Don’t hesitate to ask for help with your animal’s behavior. Animal Cruelty In order for us to investigate an allegation of animal cruelty, we must have the following information: · Name, address, and phone number of the complainant. This information is kept confidential, but is required to establish a cause to investigate. · Exact address of the location of the animal(s). We must have a street name and number, including the apartment or lot number. · A specific incident or observation made by the complainant; in other words, the person calling must have seen an act of cruelty occur. We can only remove an animal in order to prevent further suffering if the animal’s life is in imminent danger. In most cases, the owner is given an opportunity to improve the animal’s condition and provide proper care first. Only in extreme cases do we impound an animal and charge the owner with cruelty to animals. It is very important citizens do not attempt to “solve” the problem by providing food, water, shelter, or other care that could potentially destroy the physical evidence of neglect and cruelty. It is also absolutely critical citizens do not take matters into their own hands and remove the animal. To do so may subject the citizen to criminal charges of theft by taking, obstruction of Animal Control, criminal trespass, criminal destruction of property, and other crimes. Rabies To keep you and your pets safe from Rabies, the Georgia Division of Public Health makes several suggestions. First, it is important to visit your veterinarian on a regular basis and keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all cats, ferrets, and dogs. Second, maintain control of your pets by keeping cats and ferrets indoors and keeping dogs under control. Third, spaying and neutering pets helps reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly. Lastly, call Animal Control to remove all stray animals or sick wildlife from your neighborhood since these animals may be unvaccinated or ill. Oconee County Animal Control responds to all complaints of sick wildlife in Oconee County. Signs of sickness or Rabies include hair loss, mucous in the eyes or nose, excessive salivation, dementia, or aggressive behavior. Daytime activity of otherwise nocturnal animals is occasionally a sign of sickness. However, during spring and early summer, while offspring are being born and raised, it is not rare to find wildlife active during the day, especially on overcast days or in wooded lots. Remove bird feeders, pet food, and access to other types of food or water to decrease the chances of wildlife interaction with pets and people. Animal Related Phone Numbers For your convenience, we have provided this listing of animal control problems that may arise and the appropriate agency or department to contact. In any emergency, please dial 911. Animal Control Problem Please call . . . Barking dog, animal cruelty, unsanitary animal waste, stray or loose dog Animal Control 769-3956 Animal bite, trapped animal, wildlife in residence, seriously sick or injured animal Animal Control 769-3956 (911 after hours) Stray animal on your property Animal Control 769-3956 Stray livestock, injured deer Sheriff’s Department 769-5665 Dead animal pick-up Roads and Sanitation 769-3912 DOT (state roads) 769-9443 Nuisance wildlife Any licensed private animal relocation company

Reclaims Each day, Oconee County Animal Control responds to a number of calls regarding dogs and cats running “at large.”  To ensure the safety of the public and of these animals, we pick up the animals and hold them at our facility.  If your dog is lost, please call Animal Control first — we may have your animal at our facility.  The cost of reclaiming an impounded animal is $15.00 plus additional boarding charges.  If your animal is not current or you cannot provide proof of a current Rabies vaccination, you must go by a licensed veterinarian and purchase a pre-paid Rabies voucher.  Prices differ from vet to vet. Adoptions Oconee County Animal Control adopts approximately 300 plus animals per year.  We welcome both families and individuals to visit us and interact with the animals at our facility. If you wish to adopt, we can assist you in completing an adoption application. There is a 24-hour waiting period for all adoption applications. Barking Dogs Animal Control handles complaints of barking dogs during regular business hours only. No person may be charged with a violation of this subsection unless an animal control officer has previously issued a written warning within thirty (30) days of the charge of the violation. Additionally, there must be at least two complaining witnesses who have signed a written statement giving the address of the owner, a description of the animals, a description of the offense, and the date, time and location of the offense. Shelter from Elements Required - Domestic Animals Local ordinances state "all domestic animals shall be provided with protection from the elements." Upon receiving a complaint, the owners are usually given a warning and a date by which to provide shelter for the animal. If the compliance date has passed and the animal is observed in the elements without shelter, a citation is usually issued. To report an animal without shelter during inclement weather call Oconee County Animal Control at 769-3956. Please have the address where the animal is located when calling. Services Animal Control provides the following services for citizens: Public safety from dangerous or seriously sick animals and at-large animals Investigations of allegations of animal cruelty Enforcement of the Oconee County Animal Control Ordinances Adoption or reclaim of impounded and surrendered animals Public education on a variety of topics related to animals Information regarding lost or found animals Emergencies Animal Control has officers on-call 24-hours a day.  If you have an after hour emergency, dial 911.  Emergencies include animal bites, seriously sick animals, seriously injured animals, and trapped animals (trapped does not include animal in a humane cage).  We do not respond to any other complaints after regular service hours. Volunteers Needed Help! Oconee County Animal Control is in need of volunteers! We need people to pop in during regular business hours to walk the dogs and give them lots of love, attention, and baths! Some days the poor pound pups don't get let out of their pens at all! They need you! Volunteers can come and leave on their own schedule as many or as few times per month as they want. Please call animal control at 706 769-3956 for more info, or just show up at the shelter! Back to Top of Public Safety Page ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS All dogs and cats three months and older are required to be vaccinated against rabies. Only a licensed veterinarian is permitted to give this vaccine. All dogs, after being vaccinated, are required to wear a collar and a current rabies vaccination tag at all times. Any dog, cat or other animal that has bitten a person must be quarantined for ten (10) days for rabies observation, or must be submitted for rabies testing to the State lab in Atlanta. It is unlawful for any person to cruelly treat, maim, or beat any animal. It is unlawful for any person to deprive any animal of necessary food and water, or to abuse or torture any animal. It is unlawful for anyone to knowingly or willfully abandon any animal. Any animal running at large off property of the owner that causes damage to others or is annoying to others, or in the case of a dog, does not have a collar and tag, may be impounded by Animal Control and the owner may be charged with a violation of the Animal Control Ordinance. Citizens who witness ordinance violations can file a complaint against the owner. If you have a problem with an animal in your area, please call Animal Control at 769-3956. Back to Top of Public Safety Page

Petland Partnership

Thank you for visiting Pet Corner.  If you don't see the pet you are looking for, you can visit Petland Pet Store (next to Krogers on Epps Bridge Road).  Petland is an authorized satellite adoption center for Oconee County Animal Control.  Thank you Petland for helping a large number of animals have a happy ending!

Thank You!