Jackson County officials say a pair of awards bestowed upon the county animal shelter earlier this month were a shot in the arm for shelter staff during one of the tougher times in the agency’s history. Jackson County Animal Services was recognized at the 2024 Oregon Animal Control Council annual conference.

The county shelter, just north of Phoenix along Highway 99, picked up this year’s award for Animal Control/Animal Welfare Agency of the Year, while Enforcement Supervisor Officer Mike Slusarczyk was selected as the Animal Control Officer of the Year.

Shelter manger Jody Sherry, hired at the end of March, said the pair of awards “really highlight the dedication of all the shelter team and everyone here and how much they really care about the animals.”

The shelter has had a tumultuous few years of changes, from the shelter’s relationship with the Friends of the Animals (FOTAS) to the loss of work center inmates who used to help walk dogs.

County officials met in recent months to discuss a need for increased revenues to replace the antiquated 1960s shelter and fund ongoing operations.

“I know we have an old facility, and it’s hard to work with every day, but the dedication here is heartfelt,” Sherry said. “Our staff are always trying to think of little ways we can do more for the animals with the resources we have.

“I had heard coming in that it was a really good team. And it really is,” she said. “You can see the things people do every day… We all try really hard for our animals. We care about them very much.”

Sherry said extra emphasis had been placed on preventing overcrowding of shelter dogs and making sure animals were housed safely and within shelter capacity limits. The shelter — which has capacity for 86 dogs — reached 125 in March.

Recognition of Slusarczyk, Sherry said, was much-deserved.

The 44-year-old began working for the animal shelter as an enforcement officer in 2011 and was promoted to enforcement supervisor in 2021. Slusarczyk’s community connections and passion for animal welfare, Sherry said, are second to none.

“He’s very well-connected within the animal control community and obviously known and highly respected statewide. He really has a passion for animal welfare … and a pretty boundless energy and enthusiasm.

“He just really wants to help animals,” she said.

Slusarczyk, a Long Beach, California, native, said he was honored by the recognition.

He moved to Oregon when he was 10.

After serving in the U.S. Army from 1998-2003, he spent a handful of years in private security and loss prevention before signing on to work for the county animal shelter 13 years ago.

Acknowledging a tumultuous few years, Slusarczyk said he’d witnessed “a huge change and improvement” since he arrived in 2011.

“There’s been a lot of changes that have taken place — both good and not so good — but we’ve just been kind of riding that wave through and still maintaining and doing the best we can to take care of the animals in our care with the resources we’re given,” he said.

“It’s been a blessing to see the response by the community and by the Oregon Animal Control Council to recognize that hard work we’re doing. There are lot of people in the building that that work tirelessly, every day,” Slusarczyk said. “This recognition would be what we call one of the peaks — and there are valleys involved for sure — but this is one of the peaks, one of the wins.”

Slusarczyk, who is often contacted on weekends and after-hours by community members, said he works hard to educate citizens on responsible pet ownership and to minimize the number of animals that come to the shelter.

Slusarczyk is known for his quick wit. His favorite one-liner from individuals trying to spell his last name are those who ask, “if I want to buy a vowel.”

When asked how he pronounces his name, Slusarczyk responds, “very carefully.”

Joking aside, Slusarczyk said it was heartwarming to be recognized for the work being done by himself and other staff.

“I’ve always had a passion for law enforcement, and I love animals so this has been a perfect combination of both getting to serve my community and helping the pets that can’t speak for themselves. I love what I do,” he said.

“The entire team at Jackson County Animal Services have really put in a ton of work to try to, you know, navigate the ship while going through some pretty turbulent seas. … If I could make one wish it would be to secure a new shelter and ask that the community continue to support local animal shelters and municipal facilities as they are an integral part of promoting public safety and animal welfare in Oregon,” Slusarczyk said.

Karen Evans, executive director for SoHumane, said she wasn’t surprised to hear Slusarczyk had been recognized.

“I’ve known Mike for a long while and my whole team loves him. Mike always has the best interest of the animals at heart and he’s always going to do the right thing,” she said. “We don’t always see eye to eye, but I never doubt that Mike’s intentions are to do what’s best for the animals.

“He is somebody who works tirelessly for the good of our community and I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves. He’s a been a committed community service officer for so many years and is beloved throughout our community,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say a negative thing about Mike. He’s just a really standup guy. I don’t think there are many people who care as much about their job as he does.”