Holifield announces retirement; county to reorganize Animal Control
By Catherine Dominguez | Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 5:10 pm
After a decade overseeing the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, Tim Holifield announced his retirement and the sale of his company Care Corporation during the Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting Monday.
Holifield told commissioners that they need to decide how they want to structure the department after his departure, which is effective Saturday. Holifield has overseen Animal Control for 10 years, first while serving as Precinct 3 constable and then as director after he retired as constable in 2012.
“There needs to be some direction and structure for that department moving forward,” said Holifield, who presented several options for commissioners to consider, including placing the shelter under an elected official or reorganizing the department and promoting someone within to handle Holifield’s responsibilities.
Holifield recommended reorganization. He said none of the options would have a budgetary impact and would even create funds to hire a new animal control officer.
Care Corporation, owned by Holifield and his wife Amy, was founded in 2012 to provide management for the shelter. Holifield cited health reasons for his decision to sell the company, which was purchased by Dr. Aubrey J. Ross II for $10,000, effective Jan. 1.
Ross has been working at the shelter for the past nine months but spent seven years working at a shelter in Las Vegas.
“He has tremendous experience in the shelter realm,” said Holifield, adding that because Ross is a veterinarian, he will be able to offer externships with veterinary students from area universities and colleges. “I think that is a great thing for the shelter.”
As part of the reorganization, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark will oversee the transition. The changes will be effective Feb. 1.
“I just want to make sure the transition goes smoothly,” Clark said. “I want to oversee it and make sure the animal shelter continues to operate in an effective manner.”
In addition to Care Corporation’s contract with the county, it also manages the city of Conroe Animal Shelter. According to Holifield, that will continue with the sale of the company to Ross.
