The Henry County Animal Initiative (HCAI) has been working tirelessly over the past year to make a difference in Henry County.

  A nonprofit organization since October 28, 2019, the HCAI works to trap, neuter and release (TNR) feral and semi-feral cats and sterilize domestic dogs and cats all over Henry County, as well as working to educate the community on feral overpopulation.

  Founder Jennifer Evans, describes the organization not as a rescue organization “but a group, implementing new ideas to resolve overpopulation.”

  The initiative has been a dream of Evans, animal advocate, for a long time coming. However, it took a desperate late-night call for a litter of puppies to set the wheels in motion.

  “I have been in rescue professionally for 14 years, so I have seen a lot. One particular situation really affected me,” said Evans. “A resident called me in February of 2019 and said she had been watching the neighbors dogs have multiple litters of puppies for the last five years. They would come through the woods to her house because they would be starving. She said she just did not know what to do.”

  Evans said she was in disbelief that the caller did not know what to do in the situation, however, she resolved to use the circumstance as a learning tool.

  “I realized that something that is normal for me may not be for the average person. Education is valuable in any subject, so I felt it was time to be a community educator in Humane Education,” she said. “Bobbie Hancock and I had already been talking about what God had in store for our unique friendship, so I asked her if she would like to help me with my journey, and the HCAI was born.”

  Since that encounter, Evans and Hancock have been traveling around the community, hosting TNR classes as well as educating the community on feral cat overpopulation in the county.

  “We offer TNR-101 classes, instructing residents and businesses on how to cohabitate with [feral cats],” said Evans. “We also host workshops to  show people how to make insulated feral cat houses.”

  They also visit local schools, clubs and residents, to teach individuals about responsible pet care, overpopulation, TNR and how they can get involved in their community.

  The HCAI works closely with the Henry County Animal Control to educate the community on the rules and regulations that they are to abide by on a day-to-day basis as a resource in the community.

  The HCAI also works to organize sponsors willing to help low income residents spay/neuter their pets.

  Looking back on 2019, the HCAI has had a busy, but productive year.

  “In 2019, 157 animals were sterilized that will NOT be adding to the overpopulation in the county,” she said. That number includes 84 feral cats, 32 dogs and 40 domestic cats.

  Late night animal trapping parties, early spay/neuter appointment times and overnight stays for animals to recover after surgery are some of the tasks that volunteers have conducted in the past year for HCAI and its mission. 

  Following the trapping and sterilization of the animals, the cats are released back into their former habitat or relocated to a safer environment, while the dogs are placed in local rescue organizations or back into the homes they belong.

  “HCAI is not a licensed rescue, but an educational resource organization, so we rely on our rescue partners to help us,” said Evans.

  Ruff Dog Rescue partners with HCAI through their canine outreach program, looking to rehome animals in need. Since May of 2019, the rescue has taken 31 dogs into their program.

  Winging Cat Rescue took in 10 of the Initiative’s domestic cats in 2019.

  No More Puppies, a nonprofit spay/neuter organization out of New Jersey has sterilized 14 dogs and one cat for HCAI.

  Local organizations including Praying for Paws, Hope for the Almost Forgotten and Frida’s Foundation, Jazzy Paw, Inc., along with other residents and businesses have also assisted HCAI in their efforts.

  “Those organizations are very special to us and we are so grateful for their dedication to the animals in our community,” she said. “We would also like to say thank you to Jazzmyn Carter, founder/owner of Jazzy Paw Inc., a low-cost spay/neuter clinic located in Clayton County. We are truly grateful to her.”

  The HCAI will be busy this year as well, with a goal of sterilizing 300 animals by the end of the year. They also hope to implement a TNR Relocation 101 class in the near future. Within the next two years, Evans and Hancock hope to implement their humane education program into the Henry County school system.

  Evans and Hancock are also proud to report that, as of January 2020, the HCAI has five additional residents wanting to learn about TNR.

  “Good things are happening in Henry County,” said Evans.

  Donations from the community are also welcome, as the HCAI exhausts much of its financial resources on sterilizing animals in need.

  The most needed items requested by the HCAI are gently used towels and blankets, paper towels, paper bowls, trash bags, milk bones, 18 gallon tote containers (preferably dark blue or grey), 30 gallon tote containers (in grey, black or navy blue), bales of straw and gift cards to Walmart, PetSmart, Sams, Lowe’s and Home Depot.

  They are also looking for more trappers, transporters and experienced graphic designers and grant writers.

  To learn about upcoming classes, volunteer, donate supplies or to learn more information about HCAI, contact Jennifer Evans at 770-231-9784.