Photos courtesy of the Town of Holly Springs.
The Unsung Heroes of Holly Springs Animal Control
By Jennifer Axness
For Officer Lucas Howard, animal control supervisor for the Holly Springs Police Department, no two days are the same. “Every day presents its own unique challenges,” he shares. “One minute I might be helping reunite a lost dog with its owner, and the next, I’m assisting an injured animal in need of emergency care.”
One of the biggest challenges is the growing number of calls. “As the town has grown, so has our call volume,” Howard says. He encourages owners to have their pets microchipped and to ensure the chip is registered online, which will help relieve overcrowded shelters and reunite owners with their beloved pets, something he says is profoundly gratifying.
But he also recalls a heartbreaking case of neglect: “A small Yorkshire terrier had been confined to a crate for over a year. The dog’s matted fur was so excessive that it weighed more than the dog itself.” Fortunately, the dog was rescued and found a loving home.
Then there are the unusual calls—like the time Howard spent hours on the highway with a runaway donkey, whom he affectionately named Dave. “He wasn’t thrilled about my company, but in the end, he found a great home at a local sanctuary.”
Howard and his team also participate in events like National Night Out, Wild About Nature and Canine-Con’s rabies and microchip clinic. “Education is a huge part of what we do,” he emphasizes. “Responsible pet ownership, from keeping animals leashed to ensuring they have proper care, benefits everyone.”
