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About Us
The Soldotna Animal Control Office has been a part of the City’s government for more than 30 years, but in 2011 it became a division of the Police Department. While the primary responsibility of Animal Control Officers is to enforce Soldotna’s Animal Control ordinances, they are also tasked with long range planning of local animal control programs.
 The Animal Control Officer and Animal Control Officer Assistant regularly patrol the community to impound strays and investigate public complaints. They also respond to animal related emergency calls referred to them by police officers. These calls may involve dangerous, injured or abandoned animals or be the result of an animal bite to a human. One of the most important responsibilities of the Animal Control Office is to cooperate with the Alaska Department of Public Health to investigate, mitigate, and manage any threat of rabies in the community.
Public education is another important responsibility of the Animal Control Office which endeavors to promote responsible pet ownership through community outreach. Each year officers present a number of informational programs to school children and community groups. Group tours of the shelter are not being offered to the public at this time, but Officers welcome invitations to share their insights and expertise about animal care.
 Animal Control Officers routinely issue citations for violations of city animal ordinances and also enforce the licensing of dogs within the community. They also collect fees for licensing and for the redemption of impounded animals.
Hundreds of stray, abandoned, or impounded animals are housed at the Animal Control facility each year, and the officers are responsible for providing them with humane care as well as arranging for their disposition. Every effort is made to return animals to responsible owners, or to see them adopted into new permanent homes, but sadly, Animal Control Officers are also tasked with euthanizing animals when necessary.
Adoption
 The Soldotna Animal Control Office uses www.Petfinder.com to post advertisements for pets which may be available for local adoption. If you are considering acquiring a new pet, Officers encourage you to visit the website to see what animals may be immediately available at local shelters. Animals will be spayed or neutered prior to being released from the shelter and adoption fees will vary.
Staff
The Animal Control Department is staffed by one full time Animal Control Officer and one part time Animal Control Officer Assistant. The Animal Control Officer oversees the total operation of the shelter and all enforcement matters.
 Animal Control Officer Marianne Clark was born in Miami, Florida and began working for the City of Soldotna in 1996. She is a certified Veterinary Technician, and received basic law enforcement certification from the Law Enforcement Academy at the Seminole Community College in Sanford Florida. She received National Animal Control Officer Certification in Gainesville FL, and Southeast Animal Control Officer Certification in South Carolina. Marianne has an extensive wildlife biology background, and worked with exotic and domestic animals in her role as a veterinary technician at Rooney Animal Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has also worked for the Florida Fish and Game Commission in the Nuisance Alligator Program. Other employers include Volusia (FL) County Government, the Humane Society, and the Audubon Society Center for Birds of Prey. She also worked for Exxon rescuing animals during the oil spill cleanup in 1989. Marianne has attended numerous field training programs and has achieved a National Animal Control Level 1 certification in euthanasia and chemical immobilization.
 Animal Control Officer Assistant Kristie Cronce started working for the City in 2007. She was born in Josephine County Oregon, but moved to Kenai Alaska in 1983. From Kenai she moved to Craig, Alaska, and later to Sitka. In 1993 she returned to the Kenai/Soldotna area and has lived here since. She attended Kenai Central High School, and graduated from the American School of Correspondence in 1997. Kristi has always had a passion for animals and as a child dreamed of being a Veterinarian. She has had numerous pets and in her youth gained experience working at a horseback riding stable.
After graduation Kristi volunteered at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge for 2 summers assisting in Loon counts, wild Hare counts,live Lynx trapping, wild bird rehabilitation and also doing some lab work. She has also volunteered at a local veterinary clinic. For 5 years she worked at a local pet shop, becoming a manager there before being hired to her current position. Since beginning to work for the City she has augmented her education by attending several training seminars put on by the Alaska Animal Control Association and the Peninsula Dog Obedience Group.
Marianne Clark, Animal Control Officer
Kristie Cronce, Animal Control Assistant
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