Joint Animal Services Reports Record Impact and Announces Facility Upgrade

A woman wearing glasses holds a tortoiseshell kitten in one hand, smiling indoors near pet food and supplies on a countertop.

Joint Animal Services (JAS) proudly serves as the dedicated animal control and care agency for the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and unincorporated Thurston County. In addition, JAS partners with the City of Yelm, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the Nisqually Indian Tribe, providing comprehensive animal services across the region.

A Year of Growth and Compassion: 2024 Highlights

In her annual address to the City Council, Executive Director Sarah Hock highlighted key achievements and trends from 2024 that demonstrate JAS’s commitment to animal welfare and community service:

  • Volunteer Commitment: Volunteers contributed more than 40 hours per week, demonstrating vital community support.
  • Foster Care Success: A total of 445 animals — 350 cats, 77 dogs, and 18 other species — were placed in foster homes, providing safe and nurturing environments while awaiting permanent adoption.
  • Adoptions on the Rise: Over 1,500 animals found loving homes last year, reflecting the community’s growing engagement with animal adoption.
  • Medical Care Excellence: JAS staff conducted over 2,500 veterinary exams and surgeries, ensuring animals receive timely and expert medical attention.
  • Increased Field Activity: Field calls increased by 18.6%, with overall animal intake rising notably, especially for dogs. Despite this increase, the average length of stay for animals in the facility was reduced from 11 days to just 7 days. This swift turnaround benefits both the animals’ physical and emotional health while also optimizing operational costs.

A Big Step Forward: Funding for New Facility Design Secured

Recognizing the limitations of the current facility — retrofitted in the 1990s and now falling short of modern shelter standards — JAS has secured $1 million through the recent Washington state legislative session to fund the design of a new, state-of-the-art animal care center.

A big gray dog looking into the camera.

A comprehensive study revealed critical deficiencies that demand significant investment to address. The proposed new facility will revolutionize animal care and adoption services with features that include:

  • Enhanced Public Engagement: Integrated kennel spaces will allow visitors to view animals in groups, accelerating the reunification of lost pets with their owners and increasing adoption rates.
  • Specialized Housing: Cats will be housed separately from smaller animals.
  • On-Site Surgical Suites: A dedicated indoor surgery space will replace the current mobile clinic setup, streamlining veterinary care and improving outcomes.

Looking Ahead

This milestone investment reflects Joint Animal Services’ ongoing dedication to the animals and communities it serves. For those interested in learning more, the full 2024 report and detailed plans for the new facility were presented at the June 3 City Council meeting and are available for viewing online.

Logo featuring a red heart with stylized purple silhouettes of a dog, cat, and tree. Text below reads "Animal Services.

A white icon of a receipt with a dollar sign on a green circular background, representing City of Lacey payment or billing services.
Billing
Two overlapping speech bubbles with three dots in the front bubble, set against a green circular background, symbolize communication in the City of Lacey.
Tell Us
White envelope icon outlined on a green circular background, representing email or a message for the City of Lacey.
Subscribe
White outline of a judge’s gavel striking a sound block, centered on a solid green circular background, representing justice in the City of Lacey.
Public Meetings
White outline of a briefcase and a document on a green circular background, representing City of Lacey work or business-related content.
Jobs
Icon showing a document with lines of text and a ribbon or seal in the lower right corner, symbolizing certification or official approval by the City of Lacey, on a green circular background.
City Code
White outline of a rubber stamp icon, symbolizing official approval, centered on a solid green circular background—perfect for representing the City of Lacey.
Permits