Pictured are Wayde Forster and Jennifer Howard.

Mayor Kate Wdowiasz is pleased to welcome two well-qualified and well-educated professionals to the staff of the city of Dunkirk.

Jennifer Howard is the new Director of Human Resources, and Wayde Forster is the new Dog Control Officer. Howard has 20 years as an HR professional and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from D’Youville University.

Forster has many years safe-handling a wide spectrum of animals, including zoo animals such as lions and tigers and bears; he is certified by the United States Department of Agriculture as a wildlife rehabilitation specialist and holds a degree in Biology from SUNY Fredonia.

Howard says she loves working for Dunkirk because “all days are different” and she has been met with all friendly and respectful workers. She has offered to meet and work with every worker and manager, to learn their perspectives and needs to collaboratively do what is best for the city.

Forster said he found “no evidence” of the alleged former issues at the city dog holding shelter and was pleased to find qualified and quick veterinary services as may be needed at costs much lower than the city previously faced. He is caring for two related dogs that others feared but that he now gives happy belly rubs and keeps them supplied with some of the toys contributed to the shelter through the city clerk.

Wdowiasz will soon announce an open-house at the shelter to introduce the public to Forster and the facility and the canines now in his calm and capable hands.