Long Beach has scored a new leader for its Animal Care Services. The city appointed Dr. Melanie Wagner as the Bureau Manager for Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), as announced in a press release on February 14th. With over two decades in the animal welfare arena, Wagner is set to take the reins of the bureau, aiming to further the cause of both two-legged and four-legged residents of the community.
Director of Parks, Recreation, and Marine, Brent Dennis, couldn’t to be more upbeat about Wagner's appointment. He promised more admirable outcomes for Long Beach's shelter animals under her guidance, stating, "Congratulations to Melanie on being named Manager of Long Beach Animal Care Services. Great things have happened at LBACS under her leadership of the Bureau in recent months to support the health and wellbeing of shelter animals, and greater things are in store in the years ahead," in the city’s press release.
Wagner has a storied history with LBACS, having joined in May 2023 as Superintendent. She stepped up as Acting Bureau Manager last June and now, after a thorough recruitment process, has officially snatched up the top job. Her responsibilities are expansive, overseeing a workforce of 50 and steering the bureau to provide top-notch animal care notably in Long Beach, but also extending to services in Los Alamitos, Signal Hill, and Cerritos. Her new role involves amplifying initiatives such as low-cost pet clinics, adoption events, and fostering programs.
Gratitude and excitement were at the forefront of Wagner's response to her appointment. "I am honored to accept the position of Bureau Manager of LBACS. Long Beach is a unique city and a very special place to me,” she expressed. “I am excited to serve, both people and animals alike. I look forward to working alongside community members and rescue partners to strengthen LBACS programming in support of the human-animal bond, and to collaboratively overcome the many challenges that progressive animal sheltering faces today," as quoted in the press release. Aside from her professional credentials, Wagner boasts a PhD in Leadership and Change and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – proving her expertise stretches far beyond the bureaucratic.
The Long Beach community and those furry friends in need can find a haven under Wagner's watchful eye. As she steps up to meet the demands of her new position, the impact of her leadership is eagerly anticipated by local residents and the broader network of animal enthusiasts. For more about LBACS's outreach and services, or how to get involved, visit longbeach.gov/acs or follow their social media presence for the latest updates.
