PUEBLO – Community Animal Services of Pueblo will soon have a new leader as the shelter has announced Lisa Buccambuso will take over as acting Executive Director.
Buccambuso is the Executive Director of the Southern Colorado Spay and Neuter Association and will now fill both roles.
News5’s Alasyn Zimmerman also learned this afternoon the Fremont County Humane Society is no longer working with the shelter.
Just last week, Community Animal Services of Pueblo announced Shelter Director Linda Mitchell is on leave from her position. There was also the announcement of the departure of Dr. Joel Brubaker, the veterinarian for the facility.
An investigation is underway into Community Animal Services of Pueblo as of earlier this month as the Pueblo Police Department assisted in the execution of a search warrant by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
At the time, Pueblo County Commissioners said their main concern is the health and welfare of animals currently under the shelter’s control.
Shelters have to be licensed through the Pet Animal Care Facilities Act, or PACFA, to stay open. Hollis Glenn, director of that division, tells News5 the new shelter has been through several routine inspections since taking over on January 1, 2019, and that this active investigation is a “top priority” for PACFA investigators. There’s no word on what prompted the investigation, or if the shelter’s license is at risk of being revoked.
The shelter remains open, and Pueblo County Commissioners say they will continue to cooperate with state and local officials on the issue but cannot comment on the ongoing investigation.
PAWS for Life just took over management of the city’s animal shelter in early January after approval from the city council and county board of commissioners. The group’s board says they are working with investigators.
As part of the Pueblo Animal Ordinance, the new management must maintain a 90 percent live release rate while under contract with the city. Despite concerns about a detailed plan on how to operate the shelter, Pueblo County commissioners unanimously approved of the management change.
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region ran the shelter for 16 years but came under fire in the community as many wanted it to become a no-kill shelter.
RELATED:
Pueblo’s new animal control shelter staying busy (Jan 4, 2019)
PAWS for Life beginstransition to operate city-county shelter, enforcement (Dec 7, 2018)
Pueblo County Commissioners vote 3-0 in favor of PAWS contract foranimal shelter (Dec 6, 2018)
PAWS For Life to take over Pueblo’s animal shelter, city council approves (Dec 3, 2018)
