Mobile Names Director Of Animal Services

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson recently announced that Ali Rellinger will be the city’s first director of animal services. No longer under the auspices of the Mobile Police Department, the new Animal Services Department will include the operation of the city’s animal shelter and animal control services. “With a focus on community partnerships, this forward-facing approach will work to ensure safe and healthy environments for people and pets,” Stimpson explained. Goals include promoting responsible pet ownership by establishing programs to reduce animal overpopulation and creating partnerships to increase the city’s ability to support animals and humans throughout Mobile. Rellinger has been involved in animal welfare and sheltering for more than a decade, primarily through several positions and responsibilities with the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF). Since 2016, she has served as president of ARF and, Stimpson said, “has been instrumental in coordinating its medical program, leading fundraising campaigns and growing ARF’s presence online and in the community.”