Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland to retire following administrative leave

The city announced last week that Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland will retire, effective May 9, following his placement on administrative leave in early March.

Bland, the director of the Austin Animal Center since 2019, was placed on administrative leave on March 7. The city did not provide specific reasons for the decision, but Bland’s tenure was marked by persistent challenges, including overcrowded conditions for animals, contentious relations with community stakeholders and scrutiny over the shelter’s compliance with Austin’s no-kill policy. 

During his leave, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer Jason Garza has served as acting chief animal services officer.

In 2022, the Animal Advisory Commission issued a vote of no confidence in Bland, citing his failure to provide accurate data, mismanagement of the stray-hold ordinance, misleading reports and strained relations with partner organizations.

In a recent memorandum, City Manager T.C. Broadnax recognized Bland for his leadership in creating the city’s first strategic plan for Animal Services, achieving a 96.81% live outcome rate and securing contracts for affordable veterinary care. Broadnax also noted Bland’s work on microchipping ordinances and launching the Finder to Foster program to help animals find permanent homes.

In the memo, Broadnax said that Garza will continue to serve indefinitely as acting chief of Animal Services. 

The city confirmed that Garza will focus on implementing the strategic plan approved by City Council on March 27 and said that long-term hiring plans have yet to be determined.

When asked if Bland was pushed to retire, a city representative said Bland had chosen to retire and said that Bland was not available for comment.

Photo by SteelMaster Buildings made available through a Creative Commons license.

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