From a Kennel Tech to Director of the Junction City – Geary County Animal Shelter, 23 year old Vanessa Gray is driven to impact change in the community.

From 2013 to 2015 Gray worked as a Kennel Tech at the Animal Shelter before ultimately leaving to accept a position at the Sheriff’s Department.

“When I left the shelter, I was still working on a 0 to 5 year plan if I was ever to return to the shelter as either Assistant Director or Director itself; so I’ve worked on it since I’ve left in hopes of getting back,” said Gray.

In that same time frame, Gray has volunteered with the local Friends of Animals group – which has helped grow her passion for animal shelters and pet adoption.

“I’ve always known that I loved animals; I’m currently working towards my General Studies Associate’s Degree, and after that I want to further my education in Animal Sciences.”

One of her goals in that zero to five year plan she’s drafted includes working with local charities and the community to shed a positive light on the animal shelter.

“[I want to work on] more community involvement; so shining a better light on animal shelters in general and adopting as oppose to buying [pets],” said Gray. “I think if we have a better relationship with the community, then we will get more foster [families], we will get more people to donate and help us; it’s just better to have the community on our side, and in order to do that we need to have the shelter have a positive light [shed on it] as oppose to previous years when it hasn’t had one so much.”

Gray is a 2012 graduate of Chapman High School who has lived in the area for most of her life.

She will officially take over duties as Director of the Junction City – Geary County Animal Shelter on Monday, June 26th.