06/01/2026
PLEASE READ & SHARE
Tonight we have a very special ask for residents of the City of Columbia. We are asking that you express your wholehearted support for the new City of Columbia Ordinance that is being proposed to stop the act of giving away or selling animals in public parking lots such as Walmart or Tractor Supply. We ask that you be vocal in emails or calls to your City Council representative expressing your support of this ordinance.
Our director has been quietly working on this proposal with the City Attorney who quickly went to work on drafting the ordinance and granting enforcement capabilities to our Animal Control and the City of Columbia Police Department. If this ordinance is passed it will be a victory for our community and the animals that live within the city limits. Unfortunately the animals being sold (or given away) are often sick and unvaccinated. With no deterrent in place, like this ordinance, there is no way to discourage people from other counties from coming to the city of Columbia to sell their unwanted animals. This is a drain on city resources as these animals a lot of times end up in our shelter.
With our upcoming Shelter expansion hopefully breaking ground soon, we will have more capacity for the residents of Maury County to make the responsible choice and have us intake the animals instead of handing them to anyone with no vetting and the ability to reproduce, continuing the cycle of unwanted animals.We are also doing our best to offer low cost spay/neuter and TNR for the community as we have surgery availability. We want to encourage owners to reach out to us so we can help formulate a plan in advance of a critical situation developing where the owner feels their only option is to give away unwanted puppies and kittens for free, trying to sell them or dumping them in a parking lot. This goes for adult dogs and cats as well.
A few years ago we were honored to be designated by MARS Petcare as a Pet Friendly city and part of welcoming pets to the city with their owners, is making sure the city is friendly and safe for all dogs and cats. This new ordinance, once passed, will be a big part in making the city a great place for all pets.
Please find your ward and contact your Representative:
Ward 1: Carl McCullen - [email protected]
Ward 2: Charlie Huffman - [email protected]
Ward 3: Cheryl Secrest - [email protected]
Ward 4: Kenny Marshall - [email protected]
Ward 5: Brian McKelvy - [email protected]
Or call 931-560-1505 to express your support of this new ordinance.
