Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County is pleased to announce the appointment of Vernon Sawyer as the County Animal Services Director. The Director position was broadly advertised and Mr. Sawyer was chosen from a field of forty-five applicants.

Mr. Sawyer served as the interim Animal Services Director for the past year, and prior to that served as an Animal Services Field Supervisor.  Mr. Sawyer also brings with him more than 20 years of animal enforcement experience in the state of Florida. He and his team have been recognized by community leaders for their progress in reducing the euthanasia rate by 50% over the last year. They have also improved the live release rate of shelter animals through improved relationships with local rescue groups and improvements in shelter operations.

Director of the University of Florida’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, Dr. Julie Levy said, “Under Mr. Sawyer’s leadership over the last year, Alachua County Animal Services is well-positioned to become recognized as a national leader in shelter-based life-saving.”

For more information, contact Vernon Sawyer at 352-264-6890.