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Community groups urge hiring a shelter‑experienced director as city begins search

Austin Animal Advisory Commission · November 10, 2025
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

As MGT opens the search for a permanent Austin Animal Services director, volunteers and rescue leaders urged that the job require proven shelter and no‑kill experience, robust stakeholder engagement, and transparent selection; recruiter MGT said 37 applications are in and stakeholder interviews will be part of December interviews.

Community members and shelter partners told the Animal Advisory Commission they want the next Austin Animal Services director to have documented municipal shelter experience, expertise with no‑kill/open‑intake systems, and a transparent process that includes stakeholder review.

“Back in 2017 and 2018 the city shelter proudly maintained a 97‑98% live release rate,” said Susie Chase (District 10). “I did not see anything about experience directing a shelter with a live‑release rate in the job description.” She urged that stakeholder engagement be expanded and that finalists meet with community members in each council district.

Julie Oliver and…

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