Pocatello names new animal services director

Pocatello has a new Animal Services Director. City councilmen approved Mayor Brian Blad’s appointment of Richard Stewart, of Richmond, Virginia to the post.

In Richmond, Stewart served as Shelter Supervisor, Field Supervisor, and most recently as a Licensing and Special Projects Coordinator. He is a veteran, have served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“I want to assess the current state of our programs and standard operating procedures for the department. This will help us to see what improvements we can make to raise our live release rate and lower the homeless pet population,” said Stewart via email. “These are daunting tasks that every municipal animal services department is faced with and it takes not just one person, but a whole community coming together to achieve success.”

Stewart will bring his wife, daughter, and two dogs the Pocatello beginning in January.