Douglas Animal Services Purchases X-Ray Machine With Donation

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Douglas County’s animal-services department now has an X-ray machine of its own, thanks to funds donated by the Winn 3 Charitable Trust.

The X-ray machine, delivered in July, allows staff to take digital radiographs of animals in medical need without requiring specialized care at another facility.

The machine already has saved money for Douglas County, according to director of animal services Frances McMillan.

“Annually, we would be spending an average of about $20,000-plus on outside veterinary care,” McMillan said. “Now that we have our X-ray machine here, it has completed our medical department. We have already seen the cost savings and increase in quality of care pay off.”

With the X-ray machine, staffers have been able to radiograph injured animals without having to send them out for specialized care.

“We are one of the very few shelters that have a stand-alone medical suite now,” said Douglas County Kennel Manager Vanessa K. Francikowski. “We look forward to continuing to set the bar even higher for those in the animal-services community.”

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in March to accept a $40,000 donation from Frank Winn, executor of the Winn 3 Charitable Fund. The charitable-grant donation is in memory of Mary Peace Winn, Frank M. Winn and Judge Dan P. Winn.