Jon Gary | From Cleaning Kennels to Leading One of America’s Largest Shelters
Jon Gary | From Cleaning Kennels to Leading One of America’s Largest Shelters
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In this episode of the Top Dog Podcast, Jon Gary, Director of San Antonio Animal Care Services, shares his remarkable journey from cleaning kennels as a 21-year-old to leading one of the largest municipal animal shelters in the United States. Along the way, he witnessed the evolution of animal welfare firsthand and discovered that lasting change starts with the people doing the work every day.
Jon entered animal welfare by accident after losing his job in steel fabrication, but it didn’t take long for him to realize he had found his calling. Through every role—from kennel attendant and veterinary technician to cruelty investigator and director—he gained a deep appreciation for every aspect of shelter operations.
“I realized this is what I wanted to do with my life.”
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the importance of supporting the people behind animal welfare. Jon believes that compassionate leadership, mentorship, and creating opportunities for staff to succeed are just as important as saving animals.
“How do I keep good people in this industry?”
Leading San Antonio Animal Care Services means balancing one of the country’s largest animal intake systems while expanding lifesaving programs, community partnerships, and free public services like vaccinations, microchipping, and spay/neuter initiatives.
“We’re investing in animal care.”
Jon also reflects on how dramatically the profession has changed over nearly three decades. From outdated shelter practices to today’s focus on live outcomes, prevention, and community engagement, he remains optimistic about the future of animal welfare.
“We’re far from the worst it’s ever been.”
At its core, this episode is about leadership, resilience, and never losing sight of the people who make lifesaving possible. Jon believes that when organizations invest in their teams, everyone—including the animals—benefits.
“I hope my legacy is that my staff knows I care.”
This message is especially important for Dooberteers, volunteers, fosters, and animal welfare professionals. Great organizations aren’t built by one leader—they’re built by teams of passionate people working together to create better outcomes for animals and their communities.
If you’re passionate about helping animals, join the Doobert community where volunteers, fosters, transporters, and organizations work together to save lives every day. Visit Doobert.com to get involved.
And don’t forget to subscribe to the Top Dog Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Do you know any Top Dogs we should interview? We’re always looking for amazing people in animal welfare to feature on the podcast. Send us an email at tdp@doobert.com.