Stanislaus Animal Services Agency (SASA) announced the appointment of Lily Yap as its new Executive Director, effective April 14. With nearly 15 years of experience in animal welfare, Yap has a strong background in shelter operations, strategic program development, and community engagement.
Yap most recently served as Division Manager for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, where she led a team of nearly 40 employees overseeing field and shelter operations at Prairie Paws Adoption Center, serving 7,500 animals annually. Under her leadership, the shelter strengthened national partnerships, enhanced city ordinances to improve animal welfare, and strategically managed a $3 million budget.
Before that, she held key leadership roles with Dallas Animal Services, where she played an instrumental role in expanding foster and volunteer programs, launching a 24/7 Neonatal Kitten Nursery, and overseeing operations for sheltering more than 35,000 animals annually.
Her ability to drive innovation was evident in her successful program coordination for a record-breaking Clear the Shelters event, which facilitated 341 adoptions in a single day. Yap’s passion for community-driven animal welfare solutions was evident early in her career; she began with Companion Animal Alliance in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she pioneered innovative programs such as Fostering Hope, a first-of-its-kind partnership supporting cancer patients through animal companionship. She has continued championing progressive, life-saving initiatives in every organization she has served.
A firm believer in strategic leadership and operational excellence, Yap holds a Master of Business Administration from the Texas McCombs School of Business and is an active Board Member of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. Her expertise in shelter management, ordinance development, and fiscal responsibility will be invaluable in guiding SASA into its next chapter. Yap’s appointment follows the dedicated service of Interim Executive Director Craig Gundlach, who has led SASA since Sept. 19, 2024.
The agency offered sincere thanks to Gundlach for his leadership during this transition period, and continued commitment to the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lily Yap to our team,” said Jewel Warr, Chair of the SASA Joint Powers Authority Board. “Her focus on leadership, innovation, customer service, and commitment to improving outcomes for animals and the community makes her the ideal person to lead Stanislaus Animal Services Agency.”
Yap is eager to bring her experience and passion to Stanislaus County.
“I am honored to join this dedicated team and excited to collaborate with our community partners, staff, and volunteers to advance animal welfare,” said Yap. “Together, we will continue to create compassionate solutions for pets and the people who love them.”
For more information about Stanislaus Animal Services Agency, visit StanislausAnimalServices.com.
