08/03/2018
Animal Evacuation Shelter Operations
Jackson and Josephine County work through mutual aid and provide each other resources on a regular basis. Both county’s main goal is to provide the best possible support to the citizens in each county in this time of need.
On July 22nd, the Josephine County Fairgrounds was opened as a two county animal shelter facility for both Jackson and Josephine Counties. The shelter was used for animals evacuated due to the Garner Complex, which included evacuations for the Grave Creek, Taylor Creek and Pleasant Creek fires. The Jackson County expo was being used for the Country Crossings Festival, and could not be used for animal sheltering. Volunteers from several Josephine County nonprofit organizations have been working around the clock to care for evacuated animals from both counties.
As we approach the Josephine County Fair, we are working on a transition plan to move the animal shelter temporarily to the Jackson County Expo. Josephine County Emergency Management had been working on finding a location in Josephine County to keep the shelter in the County, but we have not been successful in locating an alternate facility. The Josephine County animals will be able to move back to the fairgrounds the day after the fair is concluded.
When we opened the animal shelter several weeks ago, we knew that the shelter was going to be there for a limited duration and would need to relocate prior to fair, as was also the case during the Biscuit Fire in 2002. The Josephine County fairgrounds staff have been incredibly accommodating, ensuring comfort and convenience for both volunteers and animals.
Please know that the animals that are being moved will be well cared for by the many wonderful volunteers, allowing families to enjoy the longstanding tradition of our annual fair. It is important that our community continue to support our self-funded county fair so that we can enjoy this event year after year.