NORTH VERNON, Ind. — North Vernon Mayor’s Assistant Tara Thormin is the designated appointee to the Jennings County Animal Control. At Monday’s first meeting of the North Vernon City Council in 2025, Thormin addressed the Council with updates regarding the animal shelter.
Thormin reported that the number of adopted animals increased from 118 in 2023 to 328 in 2024, and added that the number of euthanized animals lowered from 588 in 2023 to 401 last year.
Finally, Thormin said they are looking to increase owner surrender fees, only allow Jennings County residents to surrender animals to their shelter, create more volunteer events, and continue raising donations.
Below are additional highlights from 2024:
- A second officer was hired allowing the facility to be open later in the evening for adoptions and emergencies.
- Volunteers started “Friends of Jennings County Animal Control” where donations were raised to help sponsor adoption fees, provide emergency medical care, and collect itemized donations.
- They now have a credit card, which means adopters and sponsors can use their cards and make donations directly to the facility online.
- People can now view all available animals on a website called Pet Finder.
- All animals that leave the facility are now microchipped, and anyone can bring their pet into the facility to have their animal microchipped for $20.
- You can now foster animals through Animal Control as long as the animal is fixed and up-to-date on their vaccines.
- Public Vet now has a location in Jennings County that offers low-cost spay and neuter assistance for cats.
- Indoor and outdoor dog kennels are now larger and more durable.
- Jennings Vet has partnered with Animal Control and visits monthly to give rabies vaccinations and examine all the shelter animals.
