01/09/2026
The month of January brings a new year and with it a new person of the month. This Person of the Month is not famous, does not seek out attention, and really will be embarrassed to see this. Our person of the month is everything you'd want in an employee, a boss, and a friend. Our person of the month embodies the idea of giving it your best at all times, unapologetically following the rules, and expecting the same from those around her. She does whatever she can to make the situation better. She does this with a smile and an attitude that says how can I help?
I have known our person of the month for years now and have always found her to be highly intelligent, very friendly, and one of the most caring people I have ever known. It struck me as odd that she would accept the job she currently has, because why would such a nice, smart, and decent want a job that is going to face public scrutiny regularly? Then it hit me! She is decent, she is smart, she is kind, she follows the rules, she tries to help, and she is tough. She's perfect for it and she can handle everything that comes at her.
Animal Services is a difficult thing no matter where you go or what you do. It costs a ton of money, there is no possibility of covering all the costs, there are unbelievable rules that have to be followed that most people are unaware of, there are heartbreaking moments, there are times when animals just run out of time and there is nothing else you can do, and there are times when people just don't understand what you have to do and why. There are moments when people are nasty, there are times when employees make mistakes, and there are moments when it all is about to fall apart. There are also times when a kid is reunited with a lost pet, there are moments when an animal that has struggled finds a new and loving home, there are times when an employee goes out of their way to help someone, and there are times when your kindness makes someone else's life a little better.
As a person that's lived here their whole life, I remember a time when there were no animal services, then I remember a time when animals received less than great care (you remember it too), then I recall a time where money was spent with no regard and facilities were left unmaintained. Let's face it, it hasn't been that long ago, that an animal might be better off to stay as far away from Levy County Animal Control as it could. All that has changed now.
Today, due in no small part to our person of the month and her staff, Animal Services is running better than ever. They offer adoption programs, spay and neuter services, pet food affordability services, pet owner education opportunities, and humane capture options. This is offered in an updated facility as affordably as possible for the people of Levy County. Are there rules that must be followed? Yes. Are they in place to protect people and animals? Yes. Are there checks and balances in place? Yes. Is there pride in the job being done? Absolutely. Is kindness and understand shown? Yes. Is the public expected to show the same kindness? Of course.
Is it perfect? No. Do mistakes occur? Yes. Is it improving? Yes.
Is our person of the month doing her best to make it better? Absolutely!
Our Person of the Month is Brandy Cannon. Brandy is the head of the Levy County Animal Services and she is doing a fantastic job. She is also a wife, mother and grandmother, she is a friend to countless people, and an all around great person!
Take time to visit Brandy and her staff at animal services, see what they are doing, learn first-hand what is happening, and get to know Brandy and her staff. See what an amazing job they are doing and while there say thank you for the hard work and Congratulations to our Person of the Month for January- Brandy Cannon!