Karen Sheppard was looking for a little more variety beyond a regular veterinarian practice when she was appointed Animal Services director by former Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer more than 20 years ago.

“I’ve been here 20 years and we still have some challenges,” Sheppard said of being in her position since September 2002.

Although she is in an administrative role heading up the department, leading enforcement of Huntsville’s animal control ordinances and the upkeep of the animals at Huntsville’s shelter at 4950 Triana Blvd., she enjoys the personal side.

Although the animal services department deals with thousands of people and animals a year, she knows many of the people who visit the shelter by name.

“I love the story of the animal coming in and getting healthy and the animal finding a beautiful home and riding off into the sunset” Sheppard said. “It never gets old to me.”