Ashe County Animal Control announces new hours for the public to visit at the shelter in Crumpler. The office and shelter will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday only. “Our reasoning for this change is that we have conducted several hours of research and we found that most animal control departments in North Carolina have similar business hours that they are open to the public,” said Director Joe Testerman. “This change would give staff ample time in the mornings to perform cleaning and other required tasks, and by closing the office at 2 p.m. this would allow for all employees to work on the road. Closing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday will allow myself and my officers to spend more time in the field.” Testerman said that even though the office and shelter is closed to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, officers are there to care for the animals being sheltered. If you are in need of animal control assistance, call during business hours or leave a message. Animal control officers, said Testerman, are only permitted to respond to calls that come in after hours that would constitute an emergency, such as animal bite, sick or injured wildlife, human endangerment, or animal endangerment. If you have an after hours emergency, call 911. Please do not call 911 unless your request constitutes an emergency. Ashe County Animal Control is located at 767 Fred Pugh Rd. in Crumpler. Call 982-4208 and go online to www.asheanimals.com.