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Board of Supervisors appoints director for Animal Services Department

February 4, 2025

Today, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors appointed Mary Martin to take the helm of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS), which has been without a permanent director since September of last year.

“Mary has a long professional experience in the field of animal welfare, including a proven track record of reaching a 90% live release rate at large shelters,” said Riverside County Board Chair and Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “She has developed pet support programs to help keep pets with their owners, sought adoption techniques that find pets new homes, and brings a collaborative spirit to working with the community to find solutions to shared issues and concerns. I want to thank Dr. Gary Weitzman from San Diego for participating in this selection.”

In her role as RCDAS Director, Martin will lead a department with a $34 million budget that operates four municipal shelters. Last year, the department received more than 40,000 calls for field service, worked with partners to save more than 20,600 animals, and performed more than 14,000 spay and neuter surgeries.

As RCDAS Director, Martin will directly oversee the scope of work and deliverables by Outcomes for Pets, an outside consulting group. The Outcomes for Pets team will deliver a strategic plan aimed at the following areas: prevention, education, and diversion; safety and humane treatment of pets; positive connections with our communities; a healthy and capable workforce; and meaningful relationships with partners. Martin will also lead the RCDAS team to implement the actions outlined in the strategic plan.

Working in collaboration with RCDAS leadership, the Outcomes for Pets team has already begun work to increase spay/neuter access and pet support promotions, helping more lost pets get reunited with their families, providing additional safe and humane opportunities for pets at risk of euthanasia, expanding dog foster and other lifesaving programs.

Martin’s experience leading municipal animal shelters includes her current role as assistant director with Dallas Animal Services, as well as former leadership roles with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society, and Animal Care Centers of New York City. During her tenure with Maricopa County, Martin took the shelter from an 80% save rate to 96%. In Santa Fe, she took the shelter from a 65% live-release rate to a stable 94%.

It’s also equally important to note that she’s held multiple positions on the nonprofit side of animal welfare and advocacy as well, including as director of outreach and engagement for Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS), where she developed relationships with shelters in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to help them achieve live-saving goals. Martin was also chief operating officer for the Humane Society of Jupiter/Tequesta, and executive director for SNP-LA, where she developed six low-cost spay and neuter clinics in the Los Angeles area.

A significant part of leading RCDAS is working with cities, community partners, rescue organizations and other groups to support life-saving efforts and to reduce the pet overpopulation crisis affecting all warmer, southern parts of the United States.

“I am eager to work collaboratively with all groups interested in seeking solutions,” said Martin. “I'm excited to be part of this vibrant county and its many communities. I will listen to everyone to understand what is working well, what needs work and how to get to our common goals – more live outcomes for animals in Riverside County.”

The nationwide recruitment, managed by a professional recruiting firm, Koff & Associates, began in October of last year and yielded 57 applicants. The pool of candidates was screened by the recruiter, who recommended seven individuals for an interview by a panel that included Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Director Marcia Mayeda.  After those interviews, four candidates were recommended to proceed to another round of interviews with a different panel.

The next panel was comprised of Supervisor Perez, Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez, County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen, and San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Dr. Gary Weitzman. Following that interview, one candidate was recommended to the Board of Supervisors for consideration today, leading to the appointment of Mary Martin. As the director of Animal Services, Martin will earn $230,000 yearly. She will start her new position with the county in the middle of March.

"Mary's extensive background in animal welfare is a huge asset for both Riverside County and organizations like ours," said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO, San Diego Humane Society. "Her leadership will strengthen our collaboration with Riverside, and we are thrilled to have such a dedicated and compassionate partner at the helm."

When she’s not at a shelter or life-saving event, Martin can be found on the back of a horse, in scuba gear or hiking in nature.