Community
The Stafford Animal Shelter is delighted to announce the appointment of Alicia Davis as its new Executive Director as of June 2025. With over a decade of dedicated service to the shelter, Alicia has been instrumental in advancing the mission and programing.
Since joining the shelter in 2015, Alicia has held various positions within the organization, including Development Director and Director of Operations. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated compassion and commitment to the pets and people of Park County and greater Montana by prioritizing animal welfare, networking and community values. Alicia completed a two-year fellowship with the University of Wisconsin’s Veterinary School of Shelter Medicine focusing on improving overall capacity for care, life-saving shelter medicine advancements and operational efficiency. With her guidance, Stafford has made cutting-edge changes to operations including managing intakes, offering pet retention resources for pet owners and following latest recommendations for shelter medicine protocols.
President of the Board of Directors, Gwen Strachan says, “During Alicia’s time with us, she has overseen progressive changes and strengthened our community connections. She has also experienced the heart break of hoarding cases, a flood that destroyed our shelter and increases in surrenders due to housing and economic challenges that face Livingston. Through it all she has remained a positive and practical member of the team focusing on successful outcomes for families and pets in need. She continues, “Animal welfare is a constantly evolving field and we need a leader with an open mind and willingness to change with it. The Board and I believe Alicia will lead our team in a positive direction and build on our reach and services.”
Alicia says, “I am honored that the Board has entrusted me to oversee Stafford Animal Shelter, what I consider to be the 'Best Little Shelter in the West.' Before starting on staff here ten years ago, I was a volunteer, foster and donor—the mission of our shelter is ingrained in me, I live it and believe in it wholeheartedly. It goes far beyond a job, it’s my calling and my community and I’m proud to work with a team who feels the same way. We are passionate about advocating for animals and our neighbors, and working to make a lasting difference in their lives.” She continues, “With the help of our supporters,
I am committed to ensuring Stafford is sustainable, successful, safe-haven for years to come.”
In the past year, Stafford Animal Shelter has taken in over 1,200 animals and helped countless families with financial resources and supplies in order to keep their pets. The shelter is a 501c3 non-profit and relies on the financial support of individual and business donors to continue its lifesaving mission. Stafford’s priorities are preventing animal distress, facilitating adoptions and reunions, minimizing pet overpopulation, pioneering humane education & community outreach. The shelter also offers safety net services to community members through their “Friends for Life” program such as a free food pantry, pet supplies, emergency boarding, financial assistance for medication and veterinary care. If you would like to donate to help their programming or help a shelter animal please contact Alicia at ADavis@staffordanimalshelter.org