Opinion - Tip of the hat to Elk Grove's Animal Services Group

By June Lavine | August 2, 2018 |   

As the Founder and President of FRIENDS OF ELK GROVE ANIMAL SHELTER, my husband Arnie and I have had the opportunity to become friends with many of the staff at Elk Grove Animal Services.

We have watched the amazing work they do to help the lost and abandoned animals in Elk Grove.

What many do not know is that twice a month, they travel to Bradshaw Animal Shelter to pick up dogs and cats to transport to Petco in Elk Grove for adoption events.

They do this after their regular work week. We know personally that they have missed many events with friends and family due to this desire to find forever homes for shelter animals.

I've seen the animals that they pick up and publish on FaceBook in the hopes of finding their owners.  Their number one hope is that the animal is chipped and they can happily return the animal to it's home and not have to take them to the county shelter.

Seeing cute dogs and cats, I envisioned their work as difficult but very rewarding. What I'm in awe to "realize" that a great deal of what they do is not all soft and cuddly.

I have learned that they have had to remove a Boa Constrictor, whose head had been chopped off.  Details not important.

Shocking also is that not all the animals are four-legged. They also have had to intervene with a person sexually assaulting a horse. Absolutely, no details!

I truly love and care about these people who are out in the dead of night doing an almost impossible job of keeping our animals safe.

I hope this gives all of you a deeper understanding of their dedication and I commend the City of Elk Grove for hiring the best of the best.

I don't know all, but I must name the ones that I have been fortunate enough to call friends.

Maureen Lampl, Supervisor of Animal Services and highly respected by her staff.

Alicia Neronde - Animal Services Officer

Jerry Skibby - Animal Services Officer

Jeff Larcom - Animal Services Officer

I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to Capt. Albright!  He has always supported our efforts to get our much-needed shelter.

So when you see their vehicles on the road, give them a wave. Trust me, they will wave back.