The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has put out a call for volunteers who happen to be animal lovers. Specifically, they're looking for residents to join their Animal Control Officer volunteer program.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office website, Animal Control Officer volunteers "respond to certain types of animal calls, like animals being left unattended in cars, stray animals, barking complaints and other calls for service."

74-year-old Don Eddy moved to Citrus County eight years ago. Like many retired men his age, he decided to spend his free time hitting the links.

“But I soon got tired of golf," said Eddy. "I wanted to do something else.”

So Eddy began volunteering at the sheriff’s office. When the Animal Control position came up, he pounced on it.

“I enjoy talking to people, and you know how many animals lives I’ve probably saved in the eight-nine months I’ve been doing this? A lot,” said Eddy.

Eddy and two other volunteers work a total of five days a week combined, in their own units. They take up to 10 calls a day.

Between the three volunteers, they’ve logged over 1,700 hours since April of last year, taking strays to the shelter and local hospitals. As for the tougher, more dangerous types of calls, those they leave to the professionals.

“We take the easy stuff and the regular officers take the hard stuff like a dangerous dog or a bite,” said Eddy.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the ACO volunteer program saves taxpayers the expense of hiring additional animal control officers -- which could cost tens of thousands each year -- while at the same time saving more animals.
 
The program is currently looking for more volunteers. Training starts in February.

For more information or to volunteer, visit sheriffcitrus.org/volunteer-citrus-county-sheriff.php.