December 3, 2008

Five Animal Care and Control employees and a North Tryon Division police officer were recognized today at the City Manager's Awards Presentation.

Animal Care and Control employees Dr. Mary Blinn, Melissa Knicley, Diane Dowdy, Jessica Smith,Verna Nelson and Thomas Adair recieved the  City Strategy Award for outstanding  performance in planning and executing business processes to enhance customer service in reuniting animals with their owners. 

North Tryon Officer Christine Helms was selected as one of 12 Customer Service Champions. Officer Helms is the division follow up investigator and has been a police officer since 1998. In her nomination, her division captain said, "Officer Helms takes pride in giving our officers the information they need to appropriately respond to the community and make it a safer place to live."

The Animal Care and Control team planned a series of improvements for both the public and their co-workers. 

• Officers now have the option of issuing a warning citation instead of a civil citation, and owners are given a specific amount of time to comply with the rules.
•  Pictures of impounded animals are uploaded to www.petharbor.com each hour and are posted on the kiosk in the front lobby making it easier for owners to find a lost pet.
• Volunteers conduct tests that have helped reduce the euthanasia rates by taking much of the subjectivity out of the decision. Results are also helpful with matching an animal to a prospective owner/family.
• Mediation is now used to resolve disputes among neighbors about barking dogs and other types of nuisance animal behavior.
• Customer feedback is encouraged through comment cards at the front counter and in the field. Comments may also be made on the website.Staff embraces the feedback and has improved operations based on customer or volunteer suggestions.