For the last couple years, Taylynne Britton worked as a kennel attendant at the Clark County Animal Shelter.

She cared for the dogs, cats and other animals, made sure they were fed, watered and healthy. She accepted surrendered animals and helped place them in new homes.

Now she can add the title of animal control officer, following her recent promotion.

Many of the duties remain, she said, but it adds the responsibility to respond to animal-related calls, whether from first responders or residents within Clark County.

For the life-long animal lover, it’s a pretty good fit.

Britton said she grew up in a military family and always had dogs and cats.

“When we moved, we took the animals with us,” she said, “even when we went overseas. It was pretty even, usually one dog and one cat.”

Britton said she has lived in Clark County for about two and a half years, and has worked at the shelter most of that time.

“We knew someone who knows somebody who said the shelter was hiring,” she said. “I was a part-time kennel attendant and I did that for about two years.”

The animals under the shelter’s care can run the gamut of the animal kingdom.

“We’ve had chinchillas,” she said. “We’ve had a goat, ferrets and chickens. We’ve had pet ducks, pigs. We get lots of rabbits. We had two hedgehogs.”

The shelter works with several animal rescue organizations — including one that specializes in pigs — and local foster families to help find homes for the animals, whether temporary or permanent.

Working at the shelter, Britton sees all kinds of situations with animals, from owners who surrender their pets because they can’t care for them to those who neglect or abuse their animals.

“When we get a neglected or abused dog in awful condition, it’s hard to understand people who let animals get in that condition, let alone think its OK,” she said. “It’s happy to get them better and see them go home.”

Seeing the animals find new homes is the best part, she said.

“Seeing dogs go home to good homes,” she said, “especially long-term dogs. It’s not fair for them to be stuck here.”