MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A donation of two separate tracts of land appears to be a step forward in easing Marion County’s animal overcrowding crisis.
The first donation is a 137-acre farm for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to board livestock, large animals, poultry, and other birds it seizes as part of abuse cases; as well as MCSO’s other animals.
A news release from the county states this means confiscated livestock and birds typically housed at Marion County Animal Services (MCAS) or in the department’s pastures will soon be housed at the farmland off County Road 316 near Citra and maintained by MCSO.The county commission approved a memorandum of understanding at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, and transferred lead investigation status for livestock and poultry-related animal control enforcement to MCSO from MCAS. This agreement also names MCSO responsible for housing, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the animals on the farm.
The county initially hoped to also build a new animal shelter at this location but decided to pivot after nearby residents voiced concerns about the shelter being built in their backyard.
The county says the donor of the 137-acre farm has also offered 20 acres located north of the Ocala International Airport with prime frontage on State Road 40 for the purpose of a new animal shelter. The county says the new shelter would replace the outdated MCAS facility at 5701 SE 66th St. in Ocala.
The county hopes to have a new shelter built by December 2025. But first the county says the 20-acre land donation has to be annexed into the city of Ocala; as well as reviewed for land use and zoning compliance.“To keep this project moving swiftly, the commission approved the recommendation to grant the county commission chair the ability to execute the donation agreement once approved by the county attorney, rather than waiting for the document to be presented for approval at a consecutive county commission meeting,” said the county in a news release.
The county says the donor has reviewed the concept for the facility which includes a more than 5-acre play area for dogs, a dog walking trail and hundreds of kennels.
The county says it also approved awarding $125,000 to three local rescues to fund spay/neuter services, vaccinations and micro-chipping to help address immediate overpopulation issues. The county commission awarded the following grants:
- Humane Society of Marion County – $50,000
- Sheltering Hands, Inc. – $25,000
- Voices of Change Animal League – $50,000