Mayor Announces New Director for Richmond Animal Care and Control

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced that Christie C. Peters has been named the new director of Richmond’s Animal Care and Control (RAC&C). Peters will begin city service effective February 25, 2013. As director of RAC&C, her duties include fiscal oversight and general management of the agency, creation of work programs, policies, goals and standards; and promotion of broad based community support of RAC&C.

“We are pleased to have such experienced and knowledgeable leadership coming to the helm of this critical department for the city.  Richmond is concerned with the well being and care of all of our residents, including the four legged and fur covered among us,” said Mayor C. Dwight Jones.

Peters previously served as executive director of the Portsmouth Humane Society since 2009. Prior to that she worked at the Heritage Humane Society where she oversaw operational programs, financial and human resource management, community and public relations, marketing and fund raising. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio; and her Masters in Non-Profit Management from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

The search for the RAC&C director was an extensive and exhaustive nationwide search that included collaboration from a number of internal and external agencies. Offering input and feedback were representatives from other local and state animal welfare agencies, state and local government representatives, as well as representation from the veterinary medical industry.

SPCA CEO Robin Starr, who sat on the panel and reviewed the applicants, had this to say of Peters, “We are delighted that Christie Peters has been hired to lead Richmond Animal Care and Control. Ms. Peters’ impressive record of progressive approaches in Portsmouth makes us optimistic that, under her leadership, RACC will work pro-actively with us to save the lives of every healthy homeless animal and an increasing number of sick and injured but treatable homeless animals in the City’s shelter.” 

Virginia’s Assistant Attorney General Michelle Welch said, “Christie Peters is a strong leader with a clear vision which will save animals in Richmond. I look forward to working with her in her role as director of Richmond Animal Care and Control and I am sure she will protect animals from abuse and neglect in Richmond.”

Peters takes over from Acting Operations Manager Chuck Marchant, who had been serving in the capacity since the spring of 2011. “Chuck has done an excellent job of keeping the day to day operations running smoothly.  His strong leadership makes for a seamless transition. He is to be commended for the hard work of the agency in increasing adoptions during the 2012 calendar year,” said Mayor Jones.