≤b≥Gotcha! --≤/b≥ Eureka Springs Animal Control Officer Jan DeLozier poses with friend. DeLozier catches and sometimes finds homes for Eureka's strays. She hopes eventually to be able to spay, neuter and chip all animals caught. In the meantime, she relies on donations for medical supplies and kennels the animals in her own home. Photo by Don Lee [Order this photo]

EUREKA SPRINGS -- Some jobs are more thankless than others. Jan DeLozier probably has one of them.

DeLozier is the city's Animal Control Officer. In her three months on the job, DeLozier has learned a lot about her job, its limits and its challenges.

Animal Control not shelter

"I am not the Humane Society," she said. "People have confused the two entities for years and continue to do so. The animal shelter takes in animals. I get a call and go looking for them. But we both end up taking care of them."

The Eureka Springs Animal Control Officer position is independently contracted by the city.

No room at the inn

In the past the city paid the Good Shepherd Animal Shelter $200 a month to reserve space for animals picked up by the ACO, but because there was rarely room available when animals were brought in, that agreement was terminated, and now the shelter is paid $25 per animal brought in, if space is available.

"Usually it isn't," said DeLozier.

She said the police station has two kennel areas, each large enough to comfortably house two dogs.

City budget for ACO scant

DeLozier is paid monthly for her work and is supplied by the city with food for dogs.

The city also covers the cost for euthanasia and disposal of euthanized animals.

Beyond that, DeLozier is on her own.

"I have built kennel space where I live," she said. "I have a fenced-in, grassy yard. Kind-hearted individuals have donated equipment, but I am in desperate need of leashes, collars and funds for medical supplies like flea and tick medication.

Money needed for meds

"Not to mention really bad stuff," said DeLozier. "If one dog comes in with parvo or heartworms or something else that isn't really obvious, all the other dogs can catch it, and there's nothing I could do about it."

DeLozier said she hopes at some point the city will help pay for these items, as well as spaying and neutering.

In the meantime, she said, the 11 dogs she now maintains have a yard to run in and "lots of shade trees."

ACO 'shelter' pleasant environment

"We walk them whenever we can and try to socialize them a little," DeLozier said. "No dog should be on concrete for long periods of time. Here they don't have to be."

However, DeLozier's resources are limited, which frustrates her.

"Right now I can't take anymore, I'm full," she said. "What happens when you pick up 11 dogs and you have no money for health care? What am I going to do, keep them forever?"

How to find a dog

DeLozier regularly lists dogs available for adoption on Geekfest and is looking for other media outlets.

"If we pick up a dog, the owner has five days to reclaim it," she said. "After that, it is either available for adoption or, if it's sick, it could be euthanized."

DeLozier said she could be reached at (417) 310-2555 or (417) 310-3032 by anyone wishing to make a donation, to report an animal lost or found, or to offer ideas for helping her spread the word about Animal Control.

Praise for animal shelter

"People sometimes think I'm in competition with the Animal Shelter, but I'm not at all," she said. "They do a very valuable job for the community. But there are lots of needy animals."

DeLozier is in the process of setting up a Paypal account to go along with "Buddy Helping Buddies," the name of her fundraising donation program for Animal Control.

In memory of Buddy

"Buddy Helping Buddies" is named for her dog Buddy, who was killed earlier this year.

"I'm planning an open house, and the kennels are always available for anyone who wants a tour," DeLozier said. "I'm not so much concerned about where I live. It's the dogs that count."