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Animal Care Services Welcomes New Director From Oklahoma City

SAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio Animal Care Services has a new director coming to town from Oklahoma City.

The City of San Antonio announced on Wednesday that Jonathan Gary is headed to San Antonio as the new Director of Animal Care Services starting Dec. 30.

"Following a nationwide search with more than 100 applicants, Gary emerged as the selected candidate due to his exceptional experience in all facets of animal welfare," stated in a press release from the City of San Antonio.

Gary has spent 25 years working in animal welfare in Oklahoma City, Okla.

According to the release, Gary served as the Animal Welfare Division's director over the past eight years, overseeing the health, welfare, and safety of all animals in OKC.

"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," San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh said in the release. "Gary's career in animal welfare has truly run the gamut. He has worked in the medical side of animal sheltering, supervised field services, and overseen daily shelter operations. That's an incredible breadth of experience that will serve San Antonio well."

Gary's last day in Oklahoma City is Dec. 5.

"We look forward to welcoming Jonathan Gary as the new Director of Animal Care Services," ACS Advisory Board Chair Rita Braeutigam said in the release. "His 25 years of municipal shelter experience are invaluable. These talents will help us work united on behalf of our pets, our partners, and our community."

Interim ACS Director Mike Shannon will resume his previous duties as Development Services Director in January of 2025, according to the release.

Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

Dog Rescued From Cincinnati Animal CARE Wins People Magazine's 'World's Cutest Rescue Dog' Of 2024

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Two years ago, Margot, a pit bull and American bulldog mix, was abandoned in a Walmart parking lot. Now, she is the winner of People Magazine's 'Cutest Rescue Dog' of the year.

CINCINNATI — Margot, a pit bull and American bulldog mix, boasts nearly 30,000 followers on her Instagram page.

Her unique features stand out, especially her eyes, which have different colors.

What also stands out, is her story.

"She was found by someone in a Walmart parking lot, and I guess she ran right up to them all friendly, so they called Cincinnati Animal CARE," said Julia Zupan, Margot's owner.

Julia Zupan

Zupan rescued Margot from Cincinnati Animal CARE two years ago — a decision, she says, that changed her life.

"If she could crawl into my body, she would," Zupan said. "She's the biggest cuddle bug."

Zupan always believed Margot was "the cutest dog in the world," but she wanted to put that theory to the test.

She entered Margot into a contest for People Magazine's 2024 Cutest Rescue Dog. Going up against more than 7,000 other dogs, Zupan said she was shocked when Margot won.

"I was definitely surprised because they've never had a dog like her, like a bully breed mix, win," Zupan said.

Julia Zapan

Margot, a pit bull and American bulldog mix, was rescued from Cincinnati Animal CARE in 2022.

The win came with a $1,000 check to donate to the organization of Zupan's choosing. It also came with a year's supply of dog food — both of which Zuplan donated to Cincinnati Animal CARE.

"Our fosters and our adopters, all of our volunteers, are so wonderful, they all have huge hearts. So, really, it's not a surprise. Julia is such a wonderful and kind human," said Lisa Colina, Senior Communications Manager at Cincinnati Animal CARE.

For shelter staff members like Colina, it's a full-circle moment.

"When you see a dog that's been in our care and coming from a background that sometimes we're unsure of and go on to do these amazing things, it's just really fulfilling," Colina said.

It's a win that Zupan hopes can change public opinion around dogs that look like Margot.

"People just don't think that they can find like a cuddly sweet dog there that looks like her, too, and that's just absolutely not the case and I'm, like, so happy that we can help change that narrative," Zupan said.

People Magazine

Margot, a pit bull and American bulldog mix, was rescued from Cincinnati Animal CARE in 2022.

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