The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a rebranding for Berrien County Animal Control.
Since the sheriff’s department took animal control under its umbrella and took over enforcement, the idea of differentiating between the shelter and the enforcement side of animal control has been developed.
Shelter manager Ashley Herr tells us the shelter side of things will now be known as Berrien County Animal Services.
“We’re trying to break a stigma,” Herr said. “We’re not the dog pound. We’re trying to be a resource for the community, and we’re trying to get people to understand that this is a place where animals come to find forever homes, get the help that they need. We’re also here to support our community. We’re not just the people who euthanize and have negative outcomes for all the animals. We actually are very proud we’ve improved our numbers very well. We’re in the 80s and 90s for a lot of live release rates, and we just want the community to realize we’re different than what we were way back in the day.”
Herr says Berrien County Animal Services will unveil a new logo and signage soon. Details are on that are now being finalized. The shelter will hold an open house to celebrate the name change once the logo is done.
Herr also notes the shelter is full right now. She invites anyone looking for a new four-legged member of the family to come and take a tour. She’s expecting the shelter to see even more dogs around the Fourth of July, so now is a good time to help out.
