Having been an animal lover and rescuer all of my life, as well as a “people” person, I can say I have the perfect job as the Director of West Memphis Animal Services. My career in animal welfare and animal control officially started at what is considered by most as mid-life, 40 years old. After having had a very rewarding career in nursing, I decided it was time for a change and wanted to pursue my true passion: animals, primarily dogs.

I became a nurse at age 21 after having completed my training at Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Early in my nursing career, I worked a Baptist East on the cardiac/med-surg floor. I was a bedside nurse for several years, as well as nurse manager. I wrapped up my nursing days as an IV/PICC nurse at Methodist North Hospital.

After years of volunteering for the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County, I was hired as their Community Outreach/Humane Education Coordinator. In said role, I was responsible for community events, low cost vaccination clinics, low cost spay and neuter efforts, and educating the public on responsible pet ownership. The job allowed me the opportunity to go into local schools and work with kids of all ages. I had the pleasure of offering affordable pet care to people who would have otherwise not been able to tend to their pets. We were able to start a pet food pantry supplying much needed food and pet products to those of lesser income.

After a very rewarding two years at the HSMSC, I decided to make yet another change…hop over the river to West Memphis! I became the director of West Memphis Animal Services in August 2013. It was a huge honor to be entrusted with an animal service agency, an honor I have taken very seriously. From day one, I have poured all my efforts, energy, and passion into making our municipal shelter the very best it can be. I have the pleasure of managing two full time Animal Control Officers who work very hard and serve our community and its animals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our shelter staff is comprised of two kennel technicians, an adoption adviser, and an administrative assistant.

Collectively, all of us at WMAS represent over 55 years of professional animal service experience. Our mission is to service the people and animals of West Memphis, Arkansas. Public safety is our number one concern. It is our job to keep the community safe from unhealthy, stray animals, work with other city agencies, such as police and fire departments, assist with the removal of animals as needed from crisis and/or emergent situations, and educate the public regarding animal issues. We have made many positive changes and enhancements to our organization and look forward to many, many more!

Hi, I'm Angela Ross. I was born and raised in Louisiana in a rural community. My grandfather owned a farm with horses and cattle; he had a large chicken pen behind his house so I always had animals around me. My love of animals started very early. I have pictures of me as a baby sitting on the ground with a large litter of puppies surrounding me. I wasn't even walking yet. I remember one time, I was a young teen and the family dog had a litter of puppies. Mother was finding a home for them all and I had fallen in love with a black and tan terrier mix puppy I called Dutchess. When the people showed up to get her, Dutchess and I had run away from home. We were found sitting in the field behind the house over the railroad and I was bawling my eyes out over the thought of my losing her. Mom and Dad decided to let me keep my puppy. I was so happy and so was Dutchess. 

In 1985, I moved to Arkansas, married, and had two hearing impaired daughters. My youngest daughter attended the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf and when she was mainstreamed into public school in 1996, I found myself with nothing to do during the day while the kids were at school, so I began volunteering at the West Memphis Animal Shelter.  Later that year, an opportunity opened up for a part-time position as a kennel assistant and the rest is history. I had found my chosen career...Animal Control Officer. I love it! I'm now nearing my 20 year anniversary; I no longer work the streets due to a knee injury in 2011. You must be quick on your feel and able to run fast when you are an Animal Control Officer. I hated leaving the street work behind but I found enjoyment in administrative work and took the position for Administrative Assistant to the Director in 2012.  

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Angela's Bio

I have always loved all animals and grew up surrounded by them. My father was a true animal lover who helped me learn to love and respect all animals. I ended up doing hair for 20 years, but my passion for saving animals never left. I moved back to Delaplaine, Arkansas from Memphis, Tennessee; first to take care of my older parents, but also to open my own rescue there where a rescue did not exist. I saved and rescued there for eight years. After my parents both passed, I sadly had to close my rescue and moved back to Memphis. The rescue blood was still in my veins, so I volunteered at the Hernando Animal Shelter then I volunteered and got a job at Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County. I worked there until I was asked to come to the West Memphis Animal Shelter. Now I work with adopters, rescues, and transports, for both dogs and cats and sometimes other animals. It is a very rewarding job to help save shelter animals and get them out of the shelter into homes or rescues, and save them from horrible situations and also from euthanasia. I truly love my job.

I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. I was fortunate to attend Kingsbury schools from first grade through graduation. After school, I was married and had two daughters. I was able to be a stay-at-home mom until my girls started school. After my girls started school, and I went through a divorce, I found myself as a single mom and I entered the workforce. 

I started working as a cashier and was eventually promoted to a store manager. After several years, I had the opportunity to become partners in a security guard business, which I then owned for about 5 years. Shortly after closing the security business, I met and married my current husband, Dana. He was an over-the-road truck driver. He encouraged me to go back to school to study truck driving and join him as an over-the-road driver as well. We worked together for several years, until the company we were driving for cut drivers. We then moved to Ohio so my husband could work for another company. After moving to Ohio, I was ready to get off the road, since we were no longer able to team drive. At that time, I once again went to work in a convenience store. 

When my husband retired, we decided to move back to the Memphis area to be near my daughters and grandchildren. We moved to the small town of Horseshoe Lake and enjoy the laid-back environment. Once again I found employment at a convenience store until I was offered a position with Pampered Pets, a doggy daycare and boarding kennel, where I enjoyed working with dogs and cats. After a little time with Pampered Pets, I learned that the West Memphis animal shelter was hiring. I love working with these animals and only regret I didn't start earlier in my life.