MACC hires new animal behaviorist to help place animals in best situations

Kori Johnson
·2 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — There is no shortage of animals looking for forever homes at Metro Animal Care and Control (MACC), but officials are now hoping a new position will cut down on the time it takes to get those pets matched with a new owner.

MACC recently added a new animal behaviorist to their team which staff said will play an integral role in their operations. The behaviorist helps with a system referred to as pathway planning; it includes spending time with the animals currently at the shelter mostly outside of their kennels by taking walks, extended play times, and observing them in other public settings. During this time, they will take in-depth notes on each pet to create an analysis that will ultimately determine how they should be placed, whether that be in foster care, up for adoption, or another avenue of finding them a forever home.

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When a cat or dog comes into MACC, staff told News 2 they see a pattern of animals staying for roughly four to five months before being adopted or fostered out. With a new behaviorist on staff, the goal is to hopefully cut down that timeline.

“We know that every animal that comes into the shelter is not going to be right to be adopted through us. Sometimes it’s better if we match them through a rescue partner; sometimes it’s better if we find foster care for them,” said Matt Peters, the public information officer for MACC. “Right now, we have over 90 dogs available on our floor for adoption; that’s way too many, so we’re hopeful that the information that our new behaviorist can gather is going to mean more homes more quickly for more of those animals.”

For details on animals that are up for adoption, including Jakobe (pictured below) who has been living at MACC for nearly a year, you can visit their website.

Photo: (MACC)
Photo: (MACC)

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MACC is located at 5125 Harding Place.

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