An experienced veterinary professional and animal welfare advocate has been chosen to lead Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC). Dr. Robyn Jaynes is the department’s new director.
“I’ve dedicated my entire career to improving the welfare of animals in shelters, boarding facilities, pet grooming salons and day play facilities,” said Dr. Jaynes. “Now, I’m excited to use my education and experience to improve processes and ensure high-quality care and successful adoptions at one of the country’s most dynamic public animal shelters.”
Most recently, Dr. Jaynes served as VP of Operations for The Pet Club/Exceptional Pets, where she oversaw daily operations for five retail and pet service centers in Maricopa County. Before that, she was VP of Veterinary Operations for the Arizona Humane Society. Prior to that, she held leadership roles with the retailer PetSmart.
Dr. Jaynes’s commitment to quality pet care extends beyond her day job. For the last ten years, she has served on the investigative committee of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Examining Board, reviewing and following up on complaints against licensed veterinarians. She also served a four-year term on the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board after being appointed by the Governor. This Board is responsible for protecting the health, safety and welfare of the general public and their animals by enforcing the standards set forth for veterinarians.
Dr. Jaynes will bring this wealth of experience into a department that sees over 27,000 dogs and cats come through its shelter system each year.
In recent years, MCACC has made measurable progress in the mission to save lives. There’s been a decline in the number of animals coming into county shelters. At the same time, MCACC has been able to adopt out or relocate a higher percentage of shelter pets with a save rate of 94% or higher since 2017. The department has also been focused on providing more support services to help pet owners keep their pets in their homes instead of surrendering them due to hardships.
“County leadership is confident that Dr. Jaynes can build on the successes our shelters have had in finding good outcomes for homeless pets while also adding consistent business, training, and communication practices that build trust among staff and our community,” said County Manager Joy Rich.
Dr. Jaynes earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. She is also certified in Low Stress Handling techniques and has a Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida.
Dr. Jaynes’s first day will be August 10, 2020.