Charles Jackson, the new Montgomery County Animal Shelter director, began his first day of work with the county Monday. Jackson addressed Commissioners Court on Tuesday, sharing his mission and vision for the shelter moving forward. He also shared updated shelter statistics for the past week, which revealed during that time period 151 pets were adopted, 321 new pets were taken in, 48 were euthanized and 616 are waiting to find a home. “People ask me all the time, ‘Charles, are we going to be a no-kill shelter?’” Jackson said. “The answer is, maybe. There’s really no such thing as a no-kill shelter, it’s called a no-kill community. If just 4 percent of our residents in Montgomery County show up at the shelter, we won’t have any animals left. It’s one of the only businesses in the world that you’re trying to work yourself out of a job.” Jackson said the new mission of the shelter will revolve around customer service and live release. “Every decision we make will revolve around the desire to see every animal in our care find a loving home,” he said. “Every decision we make, we’ll say, ‘How does this help our customers? How does this save more lives? If it doesn’t do that, we’re not going to do it.” Additionally, every employee at the shelter will be responsible for cleanliness moving forward instead of just one department, Jackson said. “I want people throughout the country to come visit us and say, ‘Charles, how did you do it? How did you come together as a community? How did you start saving so many animals so quickly?'” he said. “That’s what we’re going to be: the experts in shelter management.” Montgomery County took over management of the animal shelter about a year ago after terminating a contract with Care Corp. due to concerns over poor conditions at the facility off Hwy. 242. Jackson is the third person to hold the shelter director position this year; Todd Hayden was appointed to the position in March after former Director Michael White left the shelter after eight days. County Judge Craig Doyal said it is good to hear positive energy about the shelter. “There’s a lot of people excited you’re there, and they’re willing to get involved and roll up their sleeves,” Doyal said about Jackson. “I appreciate the effort you’re putting forth in working with everybody.”