THOMASVILLE — Carol Jones is fascinated by eggs, their “perfect” shape and “magnificent” colors.

However, although she has many egg-producing critters at her home, Jones spends most of her time overseeing felines and canines.

Jones is chairman of the Miss Kitty Feline Sanctuary & Adoption Center Board of Directors and South Georgia Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic executive director — privately funded facilities at 425 Covington Ave.

Her work and that of others in spay-and-neuter efforts are much easier and more efficient with the donation of a van by Fix Georgia Pets, a non-profit Atlanta organization with a mission of bringing more money into Georgia for spaying and neutering.

The exterior of the van is decorated with bigger-than-life photos of Miss Kitty residents and local dogs.

Before the spay-and-neuter clinic opened in mid-2015, Jones and others transported cats and dogs — by private vehicle — to a North Florida clinic for surgery. The van travels to other communities to pick up dogs and cats needing the surgery and transports them to Thomasville for early morning spayings and neuterings. Late afternoon on the same day, when the animals are awake, they are returned to their respective towns.

Some of the dogs and cats have homes. Others, such as feral cats, are trapped, sterilized, returned to their communities and released. Local felines also are trapped, undergo surgery and released where they were found. Colonies of spayed and neutered feral cats eventually cease to exist.

Jones and her husband of 51 years, Ross, have six dogs, 20 cats, 17 hens and two roosters at their home.

Jones became fascinated with chickens as a child. She visited her grandparents, who kept chickens, was allowed to gather eggs and became intrigued by the various colors of egg shells, depending on the bird.

“We used to have ostriches and BIG eggs,” Jones explained.

Her first cat was Tammy, a Siamese. She “leans toward” cats and likes their softness, purrs, independence and ability to make humans relax.

Jones was born in England several months before World War II ended. Her father was an American soldier, and her mother drove mail trucks and staff cars for the U.S. Army. Her father retired from the Army and remained a civilian Army employee in missile intelligence.

A tireless volunteer, Jones is a past Thomasville Rotary Club president and an emeritus member of the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society Board of Directors.

She said research shows those who volunteer are generally happy people and tend to outlive those who do not volunteer.

“I’m afraid if I quit, I’ll croak,” Jones explained.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820