The Barrow County Animal Shelter is proud to welcome Dr. Jennifer Odum as its first onsite veterinarian, a critical position that streamlines the healthcare of animals at the shelter and helps get adoptable pets into their forever homes as quickly as possible.
“By bringing our animal healthcare services in house, we no longer have to dedicate staff hours and labor to finding available private sector veterinarian appointments, nor do we need to coordinate the transportation of animals to and from each appointment,” said Cecily Evans, Barrow County Animal Control Director.
Odum most recently spent 10-plus years as the medical director for Planned PEThood in Duluth, and previously worked as a staff veterinarian for both DeKalb County Animal Services and Fulton County Animal Services. Odum holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Georgia.
“Dr. Odum brings a wealth of knowledge to the position, and we are grateful to have her experience and leadership on the team. We can rest assured the animals at the Barrow County Animal Shelter are in good hands,” said Evans.
In an effort to share costs, Barrow County has partnered with neighboring Jackson County to fund the veterinarian position – with Jackson County paying 20% of the total costs, equating to one day per week where Odum’s services will be available for Jackson County’s use.
“This is a great example of two communities coming together for the greater good,” said Brad Richards, Jackson County Animal Control Director. “At the end of the day, we all want what’s best for our four-legged citizens, and we’re grateful that our communities can come together and forge a valuable partnership to make sure our animals get the care they need.”
Odum began her role Jan. 5.