"Austin is a national leader in lifesaving and community engagement, and I look forward to working alongside staff, volunteers, partners and residents to build on that foundation through thoughtful, data-driven strategies that support our teams and improve outcomes for animals and the people who care about them," Dangler said in a statement.
What happened
Dangler, a 15-year animal sheltering veteran, was announced as Austin's new animal services director in December.
She most recently served as an executive leadership consultant for the department of animal services in Riverside County, California, where she created a new strategic plan, data-driven systems and improved alignment between shelter and community programs, according to a city news release.
“Animal Services is at a critical moment for our community,” City Manager T.C. Broadnax said in a statement. “I am confident that Ms. Dangler will be a strong leader who will steward the City’s commitment to animal welfare, implement the department’s 5-year strategic plan, and bring together regional animal welfare partners so that we may build a more respectful, collaborative ecosystem to improve the care and well-being of animals in our community.”
Dangler previously led the Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona and PAWS Shelter of Central Texas in Kyle, and served as an event coordinator with the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. The city also credited her for improving animal service agencies' operations, building community partnerships, and managing volunteer programs and fundraising events.
Zooming out
Dangler was chosen to lead Austin Animal Services through a national search process that began last year. She was selected over two other Austin-based finalists: Rolando Fernandez Jr., the city's interim Animal Services director, and Lee Ann Shenefiel, senior director of community programs for Austin Pets Alive! All three candidates participated in a public meet and greet in December.
The arrival of a new animal shelter head comes after former director Don Bland's retirement and Broadnax's appointment of an interim leadership team early last year. It also follows the adoption of a new strategic plan for city animal services, adopted last April after years of public scrutiny of animal center operations including internal audits.
