San Jose Appoints Monica Wylie as New Animal Shelter Director

San Jose has appointed Monica Wylie as the new deputy director of its Animal Care and Services division. This announcement brings cautious optimism within the animal advocacy community regarding the future of the San Jose Animal Care Center, which manages care for approximately 12,000 animals annually. Wylie, selected from a pool of 27 candidates, is expected to implement significant changes following a troubling recent audit that identified serious management issues.

Wylie brings nearly 20 years of experience in animal welfare, including her previous role as deputy director at the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. During her tenure there, she achieved notable successes, such as reducing the average length of stay for pets by 50% and increasing the save rate for cats to over 90%, thanks to innovative programs like trap-neuter-return and fostering initiatives.

“I’m inspired by the mission to provide a welcoming place for animals and those who care for them; to protect, educate, and serve the public,” Wylie stated. She emphasized the importance of developing programs that improve the lives of both animals and their human companions.

Challenges Ahead for Wylie

Stepping into this role, Wylie faces the daunting task of restoring community trust in a facility that has been criticized for a lack of proper management. A 2024 audit revealed that the San Jose shelter frequently housed around 200 animals above its maximum capacity of 510. The report also highlighted unsanitary conditions, including animals being kept in kennels with feces, and pointed out the absence of written policies to address these issues.

Public Works Director Matt Loesch, whose department oversees the animal shelter, expressed enthusiasm for Wylie’s arrival. She will be responsible for managing the shelter’s $17.5 million budget and is expected to spearhead efforts to implement the audit’s recommendations by December.

“Wylie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to continue improving our services,” Loesch said. “We are committed to serving the animals entrusted to us and their caretakers.”

Animal advocates have mixed feelings about Wylie’s appointment. Courtney Ferro, a former animal care attendant, believes that Wylie’s qualifications are promising, particularly her focus on preventing the separation of families and pets. Ferro acknowledges the importance of Wylie’s hiring but stresses that it does not fully address community demands for a complete overhaul of the shelter’s upper management.

“It’s hard to know what she will be able to do as one person,” Ferro remarked. She hopes that Wylie can revitalize essential programs that have faced cutbacks, such as the trap-neuter-return initiative.

Community Reactions and Future Prospects

Conversely, some long-time advocates express concern about Wylie’s lack of experience in public, city-run shelters. Kit O’Doherty, director of Partners in Animal Care & Compassion, argues that experience in a nonprofit setting does not fully equip Wylie for the complexities of government processes.

“We’ve done all the bureaucratic things,” O’Doherty stated, indicating frustration with the city’s decision. She feels that the city has overlooked important qualifications and is skeptical about the potential for meaningful change.

A spokesperson from the city manager’s office emphasized the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration between Wylie and the shelter operations team. Carolina Camarena stated, “Rebuilding trust requires both clear communication and consistent delivery. We realize that words alone are not enough and that our community, advocates, and staff need to see action and results.”

Ferro remains hopeful. She believes that Wylie’s nonprofit background may provide a refreshing perspective that the shelter has needed for years. “If she can stay true to her values — compassion, inclusion, accountability — and connect directly with the staff and community members who felt silenced or shut out, then that’s a great start,” Ferro said.

The community now watches as Wylie takes on this significant role, hoping for a transformation that aligns with the values of compassion and care for both animals and residents in San Jose.