Less than a month from now, the director of an animal shelter in Arizona will take over management of the Irvine Animal Care Center.

The city has appointed J. Kevin Hertell to head the shelter, which in late 2014 came under fire for what some workers and volunteers saw as mismanagement.

In November, the city received complaints of inhumane treatment of animals and a hostile work environment. Lawrence Kosmin, the center’s chief veterinarian, was replaced with another veterinarian, Bradley Brunskill.

Shelter director Michelle Quigley, also targeted by those faulting shelter practices, resigned in January.

An independent shelter veterinary consultant, Dr. Jyothi Robertson, was hired to conduct a study of the shelter.

In February, interim director James “Rick” Greenwood was hired to run the shelter as the city undertook a nationwide search for a new manager.

According to the city, Hertell has worked with animals for more than 30 years, most recently as executive director of the Second Chance Center for Animals in Flagstaff, Arizona. At that shelter, he oversees 20 staffers and 125 volunteers.

Hertell holds a Bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation and management and a Master’s in biology with an emphasis on animal behavior. He has worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Wildlife Center, according to the city.

Sept. 2 will be his first day at the Irvine shelter.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/shelter-677241-city-animal.html