Animal services chief steps down

According to a report by KXAN, the city’s chief animal services officer, who was heading up the department on an interim basis, is leaving her position to work at a nonprofit. Lee Ann Shenefiel, who was appointed to the position at Austin Animal Center after Tawny Hammond vacated it in May 2017, will leave her post on Feb. 1. The search for a permanent replacement has already been launched. In the meantime, acting Parks and Recreation director Kimberly McNeeley will be serving as the head of animal services.