City of Long Beach Announces Departure of Animal Care Services Bureau Manager Staycee Dains as She Accepts Position as General Manager of Los Angeles Animal Services

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PRESS RELEASE

Today, City Manager Tom Modica announced the forthcoming departure of Animal Care Services Bureau Manager Staycee Dains, who joined the City of Long Beach in February 2019.

"Staycee has been a phenomenal advocate for our animals here in Long Beach and for our community and partners." said City Manager Tom Modica. "Her knowledge, creativity and passion have been a huge asset for the City. Although she will be missed, she has set us up for success well into the future."

During her years with the City of Long Beach, Ms. Dains led the development of Long Beach Animal Care Services' (LBACS) "Compassion Saves" operating model. Compassion Saves focusses on reducing euthanasia and increasing pet adoption rates, using outreach, education, guidance, support services and innovative programs. In 2022, LBACS reached its highest adoption rate ever, placing 1,968 pets into homes and increasing placement of animals by 194% since 2018. Further, she led efforts that raised the live release rate to 89% (from 70%) and reached a high of 97% in a single year.

Ms. Dains was also instrumental in the development of LBACS first ever Strategic Plan, which sets a framework or priorities and objectives that put Animal Well-Being, Data Based Decision Making and Partnership at the forefront of decision-making for the health and welfare of animals. She also reorganized the shelter to ensure fulltime staffing for animal care, adoptions and animal control to improve employee retention and overall bureau efficiency, while revitalizing community engagement through off site adoption events and other educational events, contributing to increased adoptions and the high live release rate.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the City of Long Beach as our Animal Care Services Bureau Manager. Our shared vision of 'a responsible, compassionate, and informed community working together for the health and welfare of its animals' grows nearer every day," said Dains. "I am confident that our City will continue to grow upon the successes we have achieved. I am grateful for the enormous effort and excellent work of our staff, volunteers, City Council and City Management for their commitment to Long Beach's unique Compassion Saves model of sheltering that has resulted in historical lifesaving for our communities."

Melanie Wagner, PhD, Superintendent of Animal Care Services, will serve as the Interim Bureau Manager while the City looks to permanently fill the position.

"With over 20 years of experience caring for the welfare of animals, Melanie will do an excellent job continuing on the success that Animal Care Services has made possible over the last few years," said City Manager Tom Modica.

Ms. Dain's last day with the City of Long Beach will be June 30.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and the innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Animal Care Services
Long Beach Animal Care Services ensures "Compassion Saves" by supporting the people and animals of our community through outreach, education, guidance, and support services. They protect shelter animals by creating an environment of care through enrichment and innovative programs.

Residents can get involved with LBACS by making a monetary donation, fostering, adopting, volunteering, donating supplies, spreading the word about adoptable animals on social media, and following @lbanimalcare on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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