Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry today announced the appointment of longtime City Councilor Missy Mosby as the city’s Director of Evansville Animal Care & Control (EACC). The new position was created to place a sharper emphasis on animal welfare, improve transparency, and deliver more effective services to residents and their pets.
Mosby will assume the role Monday, October 27. She will join Mayor Terry for a media availability today at 2:00 p.m. in the Mayor’s Office, Room 302 of the Civic Center.
“Evansville deserves an Animal Care & Control system that reflects our community’s values: compassion, accountability, and care for every life,” said Mayor Terry. “Missy Mosby brings unmatched passion for animal welfare, strong leadership, and nearly two decades of public service to this role. With her at the helm, I am confident we will build a stronger system that better serves both people and pets.”
In accepting the position, Mosby announced she will resign her seat as the City’s 2nd Ward Councilor, where she has served for 18 years. During her tenure, she served twice as Council President (2016, 2017) and was liaison to both Animal Care & Control and the Evansville Police Department.
Among her accomplishments on City Council, Mosby fought to secure more than $60 million in improvements to prevent flooding in the 2nd Ward; she worked with the Fiches Neighborhood Associations to connect homes with the city sewer system; and she hosted quarterly meetings with the 2nd Ward neighborhoods to discuss concerns and resolve issues.
She also was active in working for animal welfare in the community, working with Evansville Police Department humane officers to develop one of the first animal abuse registries in Indiana; with state elected officials for stricter penalties for animal abuse; and fighting to keep the Hillview Hoarder dogs from returning to their abuser in 2017. This year, she worked alongside the Evansville Animal Care & Control Board to update the city’s animal care ordinance.
Mosby called the EACC appointment “a tremendous honor and responsibility.”
“I have dedicated my career to public service and to this community I love. Now, I have the opportunity to focus my lifelong passion for animals into building a stronger, more compassionate system for Evansville,” Mosby said. “I look forward to working alongside our staff, volunteers, rescues, and residents to make this the best possible shelter and care system.”
As Director, Mosby’s top priorities will include:
- Strengthening partnerships with rescues, fosters, and volunteers to increase lifesaving capacity
- Expanding outreach and education to encourage adoption and responsible pet ownership
- Supporting staff with clear procedures, training, and strong leadership
- Promoting transparency, accountability, and compassion in all aspects of operations
A Standalone Department
Animal Care & Control has historically operated under the umbrella of the Department of Transportation & Services. Beginning with Mosby’s hire, it will become its own standalone department reporting directly to the Mayor’s Office, ensuring greater visibility and accountability.
This restructuring builds on progress made earlier this year when the city launched operational reforms at the shelter. Changes already implemented include shorter hold times, strengthened cleaning protocols, and a foster-to-adopt model that reduces kennel crowding and speeds the adoption process.
Community feedback, much of which was received through an Animal Care & Control Town Hall in January, has also shaped reforms, from proposals to extend shelter hours to updates of the EACC ordinance. The City has emphasized that these changes represent the beginning of a multi-year effort to modernize the department, improve outcomes for animals, and strengthen public confidence.
A Community Effort
Applications for the Director position were reviewed by a panel including representatives of the local rescue community, Best Friends Animal Society, and city administration.
“Animal Care & Control touches the lives of thousands of families every year,” said Mayor Terry. “By elevating this work to its own department, and by choosing a proven leader in Missy Mosby, we are showing that animal welfare is a priority in Evansville’s future.”
