Oakland, CA – The Oakland City Administrator’s Office is pleased to announce the strengthening of its partnership between Oakland Animal Services office (OAS) and the Friends of Oakland Animal Services community group (FOAS), as OAS Interim Director Ann Dunn is returning to her role as Executive Director of FOAS and Deputy City Administrator Joe DeVries is stepping in to provide leadership from the City Administrator’s Office to oversee OAS directly.
DeVries steps into this leadership role with a deep history at the City of Oakland and a proven track record building public-private partnerships as well as bringing in outside dollars from funders to support City services. DeVries has also served as a hearing officer with OAS in past years and is a proud father to OAS alum Jules, a 12-year-old Pit/Carolina Plott Hound mix (pictured).
Interim Director Dunn will transition on January 3, 2025, and she and Deputy City Administrator DeVries have already begun coordination and collaboration for a smooth transition as well as teeing up opportunities for a more robust partnership.
“I am so grateful to Interim Director Dunn for her ongoing dedication to working with us for the best outcomes for our community, and to Deputy City Administrator DeVries for stepping up to take on this important leadership role,” City Administrator Jestin D. Johnson said. “Most of all, though, I am grateful to the incredible staff and community volunteers who spend every single day dedicating their skills, professionalism, and love to the animals and families we serve. We are excited to take on this next chapter of the work together.”
To learn more about Oakland Animal Services, including how to volunteer, upcoming events, and how you can consider fostering or adopting an animal in need, please visit www.oaklandanimalservices.org.
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