Meet Amy Belew, DVM

If you attended , you might have met their new veterinarian Amy Belew.

The veterinarian position was approved by County Commissioners in February. Belew started June 1 as the county’s first full-time, on-staff veterinarian with an annual salary of $79,800.

She comes to the county shelter from Holcomb Bridge Animal Hospital in Roswell where she practiced for more than two years.

Belew will be doing approximately 18 spay and neuter surgeries daily, according to CACC officials. Spaying and neutering pets helps control the animal population. Animals are also more likely to be adopted if already spayed and neutered.

All animals will now receive a rabies vaccination at the facility, which must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

"We knew when we came in there’d be a lot of work, but we’re really excited about it,” Belew told the Marietta Daily Journal. “Right now is the busy season. Later, once it slows down, we hope to get into behavior evaluations and training staff to be better able to assist with procedures.”

Belew, 38, grew up in Powder Springs. She is a McEachern High School alumna and received her biology degree from Clemson University. She received her veterinary degree from the University of Georgia in 1999.

Belew now handles a high volume of animals; much more than at the veterinary clinic. Last year, the shelter handled about 17,000 animals, according to Public Safety Cpl. Jeff Patellis. The 450-cage facility on Al Bishop Drive southeast of Marietta is usually full to capacity.