Animal Care and Control Director to Retire

Don Winstel, Director of Franklin County Animal Care and Control and the County Dog Shelter has announced that he will be retiring in August of this year.  Winstel was hired as director of the department in August of 2016, and also served a previous stint in the role between 2009 and 2011.  In a resignation letter to the county commissioners, who oversee the department and the dog shelter, Winstel indicated that he thinks the department is well positioned for the near future and for new leadership, specifically noting the creation of a new Community Advisory Committee, the upcoming implementation of a play-based enrichment program for dogs at the shelter, and the imminent release of a review of shelter operations being prepared by the University of Wisconsin.  During Winstel’s second term at the shelter, he updated protocols to limit potential disease exposure among dogs in the shelter, and led staff and volunteers to improve the “shy dog” initiative, expand the volunteer program, and reach a 91% live release rate for dogs at the shelter.
 
The commissioners expressed their gratitude for Winstel’s service on Thursday, and best wishes for his retirement.  County Administrator Kenneth N. Wilson said, “Don has been a stable steward of the department and of the dog shelter, and leaves it in an ideal position for its next director.  He has been a compassionate leader for both the animals in his care, and the staff of the department.  He always held the best interests of the shelter and staff above all, and his presence will be missed by both.”
 
“I am grateful to have had a second opportunity to work with the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Franklin County Department of Animal Care and Control, as well as with the commissioners and county administration,” said Winstel.  “I’m looking forward to my remaining time here at the shelter, to watching all of the exciting developments in the department in the years to come.”
 
Wilson said that the county will begin a search for a new director of the department immediately, including considering both local and national candidates, and hopes to have a new director in place within the coming few months.