The New Sheriff at Animal Services

Late last year, Hernando County’s Board of Commissioners voted to bring Animal Services under the wing of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. When the time came to choose a person to head this department, former HCSO Public Information Officer Denise Moloney was the natural fit for the role of director.

“[Sheriff Al Nienhuis] asked me if I would consider being the director if the [Board of County Commissioners] voted to turn the shelter over to the sheriff’s office, and I said, ‘definitely,’” Moloney stated. “I love animals, and I thought there was a lot of room for improvement.”

After the board proposed the idea to Sheriff Nienhuis in May of 2023, Moloney visited six different county-run and sheriff’s office-run shelters in the lead-up to the commissioners’ decision. She even took classes to ensure she was ready if the time came.

It was advantageous that she was prepared because, as it turns out, there were some aspects that needed fixing. With the handover of the reigns taking place just a handful of days ago, things are still in flux, but much has already been completed.

Moloney and company hired an exterminator to rid the premises of the various rodents that had eaten holes to get into the building. To ensure the safety of the animals, though, they are using a pet-friendly repellant as opposed to something more toxic.

The staff has already conducted two “major cleaning days” with 40-50 people on the grounds to bring everything back up to speed,” the director noted. The team cleaned the kennels, the kitchen, and everything else from top to bottom. “We really, really got a lot done,” added Moloney.

The new director assumed her role as of January 1, 2025, and the revamped Animal Services will be open to the public no later than the 20th of the same month. Despite currently being closed, they are still taking in animals even now. Once they open, Animal Services’ expanded hours will be as follows:

Monday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: Noon – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Noon – 7 p.m.
Thursday: Noon – 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“There is a lot of moving parts and moving around,” Moloney said. “We have come in with some new procedures […] It is real busy here, and I am thankful for all the people who actually come to the shelter looking for a pet. That is the kindest thing they could possibly do.”

Six of the staff members from the previous regime have been retained, and they will soon be busy learning new shelter management software that will help keep track of animals more efficiently and accurately.

A pair of veterinarians are also being brought in who have a great deal of experience in handling high volumes of spays and neuters (up to 40 in a day). This will allow the staff to have the furry friends ready to go so they can leave with their newly adopted parents the same day that they
meet.

When they need to work with outside businesses for extra help, they are planning to reach out to Pet Love and Planned Pethood as well. The new head of animal services is hoping to get more animals adopted and is working to enrich the lives of the pets in her care in the meantime.

She even has a pair of dream projects she hopes to enact for the sake of the animals. The first is a new building for cats. This one would be further away from the dog kennels so our feline friends can run and play while feeling more “in their own element.”

The second is a splash pad that she dubbed the “Cool Drool Splash Pool.” The six-inch deep, bone-shaped aquatic play area would be a fantastic place for dogs to blow off steam and have some fun during the summer months.

Volunteers are also encouraged to come by and be a part of these animals’ lives. Otherwise, families can also take part in pet “slumber parties” or “stay-cations.” That is where they take home a dog or a cat and see how it fits in for one night.

After 12 and a half years as HCSO Public Information Officer, Moloney is excited and prepared for the next step in her journey.

She has two cocker spaniels (named Dudley and Owen) and a deep love for animals.

“We are going to do right by the animals […] love seeing when people find the perfect animal […] We still have work to do, but we are working very hard to make it a place where people want to come to look for a pet,” Moloney said.