SEKY April 2023 | Page 14

Pulaski County Animal Control

Giving forgotten animals a second chance

By GINA STORY
Kim Sears has been working with Pulaski County Animal Control for more than a decade . She is the first and only female animal control officer in Pulaski County . Before that she was an animal lover who really liked dogs .
The first time she walked into the Pulaski County Animal Shelter , she was bringing in a puppy that she found abandoned but couldn ’ t keep . When she walked in , she realized the animals and the officers were in need of help . She is now the shelter ’ s assistant director .
“ It wasn ’ t a good place and when I walked through I just felt like crap for these dogs ,” she said , adding that it took a year after that initial visit for her to be able to take a staff position .
When Sears started working with the shelter it had a high rate of euthanasia but she , along with her staff and volunteers , have worked with rescues to bring it down to a much lower one .
“ Rescues have become the savior for the animals , they ’ ve given them a second chance ,” Sears said .
14 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky april 2023