The City of Austin has ushered in a new era for its animal services by naming Monica Dangler as the new Director of Austin Animal Services. Dangler, who has over 15 years of animal sheltering experience, is set to take on the role effective February 2, 2026, following a comprehensive national search for candidates, the city's announcement said.
Credited with creating a strategic plan at the Riverside County Department of Animal Services in California, Dangler is well-versed in implementing data-driven systems and forging strong collaboration between various programs. Her appointment comes at a crux time for the community, according to the City of Austin's announcement, Austin's City Manager T.C. Broadnax underscored her readiness, "Animal Services is at a critical moment for our community," he said, "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 has a robust history of managing volunteer initiatives, coordinating adoption events, and fueling fundraising efforts. She has consistently aimed her efforts at bolstering operational systems within large public animal service agencies, nurturing partnerships within the community, and elevating the rate of positive outcomes for animals housed in shelters.
Reflecting on her new position, Dangler shared her enthusiasm, "I am honored to join the City of Austin and Austin Animal Services at such an important moment," she said, according to the City of Austin's official website. "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." Notably, during her tenure at the Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona, where she supervised the care of more than 19,000 animals annually, Dangler's leadership attained an impressive 92% live-release rate.
With a previous stint as Director of PAWS Shelter of Central Texas in Kyle, where she notably doubled adoption figures, Dangler is no stranger to the Austin area's animal welfare landscape. The city and its furry inhabitants seem set to benefit from her wealth of experience and her proven track record of progressive leadership in animal welfare.
