City leaders have chosen a new leader for one of the toughest jobs in San Antonio city government: Overseeing the city’s embattled Animal Care Services Department.
Jonathan Gary, a 25-year veteran in animal welfare services for Oklahoma City, was selected from more than 100 applicants after a nationwide search.
San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh announced the appointment on Wednesday and says his wealth of experience should serve the city well.
According to the announcement, the Oklahoma City Animal Welfare Division broke its annual save rate record with more than 15,000 animal lives saved. He also focused on keeping the community’s residents safe while ensuring the humane treatment of pets.
“I have total confidence in Mr. Gary’s ability to lead Animal Care Services in its mission to protect both the animals and the residents of our community,” Walsh said.
Gary will start on Dec. 30 — more than a year after the department’s last leader Shannon Sims announced plans to retire.
Finding the right candidate to replace Sims proved harder than expected.
In recent years the department has grappled with high-profile dog maulings, a large population of stray and roaming animals and a sinking live-release rate that’s irked animal welfare advocates as the department sought to address its public safety problems.
“My successor, whoever it is, will be criticized heavily, regardless of their actions,” Sims said at his last meeting of the Animal Care Services advisory board in May.
The city hired a professional recruiter to conduct a nationwide search for the next director, but ultimately turned down four candidates who came to interview for the job earlier this year.
City leaders also turned down several internal candidates currently working at ACS.
Development Services Department Director Michael Shannon has been temporarily overseeing the department since Sims left the role in May.
