City of Jackson Animal Care & Control awarded VCA Charities "Ready for Rescue" grant to launch B.A.R.K. field trip program
Jackson, Tenn. – The City of Jackson, TN and Jackson Animal Care and Control (JACC) is excited to announce it has been awarded a $9,865 "Ready for Rescue" grant from VCA Charities. This funding will be dedicated to the launch and expansion of the B.A.R.K. (Borrow A Rescue K9) Program, an innovative initiative designed to improve the mental health and adoptability of shelter dogs.
Field Trips for Four-Legged Friends
The B.A.R.K. Program introduces "field trips" for dogs currently housed at the shelter. By providing outlets and activities beyond the confines of a standard play yard, the program aims to reduce kennel stress and maintain the sustained mental well-being of the animals.
With the grant funding, JACC will purchase essential equipment and supplies—such as "Adopt Me" harnesses, portable water bowls, and car tether systems—enabling community members to take shelter dogs on excursions into the Jackson community. Additionally, the funding will be used to enhance the shelter’s on-site play yards with new agility and interactive play equipment.
Leadership Perspectives
"We are incredibly grateful to VCA Charities for their generous investment, which allows us to provide a higher quality of life for our shelter pets. I want to extend congratulations to Whitney and the entire team at Jackson Animal Care and Control as well as Service Innovation Director Abby Palmer for their dedication in securing this funding,” said Mayor Scott Conger. “The B.A.R.K. Program is a fantastic example of the creative, compassionate leadership we have in our city departments. I encourage all our residents to get involved—sign up to be a volunteer and take a dog on a field trip. Your time and energy will truly help these animals find their forever homes.”
"Mental and physical enrichment for the dogs in our facility is crucial to maintaining their overall health and adoptability,” said Jackson Animal Care and Control Director Whitney Owen. “We are thrilled to be able to expand our available options for them and continue our goal of providing a high quality of life for them while in our care."
How to Participate
The B.A.R.K. Program is designed to be a win-win for both the dogs and the public. Community members interested in "borrowing" a rescue dog for a few hours of hiking, walking, or park time can sign up through Jackson Animal Care and Control. These outings not only provide the dogs with vital socialization but also allow the shelter to gather valuable information about how the dogs behave in real-world settings, which helps find them the perfect "forever home."
About VCA Charities
As VCA Animal Hospital’s charitable arm, VCA Charities supports the joy of pet ownership for more people by helping pets find and remain in loving homes. Through grants and partnerships with shelters and animal welfare organizations, we help remove barriers to pet ownership and help keep pets in loving homes by funding emergency and specialty veterinary care; supporting adoption readiness and surrender prevention programs; enabling the care and feeding of pets belonging to underserved families; and, responding to our local communities in crisis. Since 2020, Charities has donated more than $10.6 million to support pets and their families.