The Association Blog

You’re in for a treat—and maybe some tamales! This month we’re excited to spotlight a new member of The Association’s DEI Council. We’ll be introducing the rest of the members over the course of the next few months, so keep an eye out.

Name & Title:  Art Muñoz Jr., Director of Animal Services, City of Garland, TX
Member of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement since:  April 2023

The Association: Describe yourself in three words. 
Art Muñoz Jr.: Companionate, Leader, Father

The Association: Describe City of Garland Animal Services in three words.  
Art Muñoz Jr.: Progressive, Family, Creative

The Association: Tell us about one small victory you had this week—personally or professionally.  
Art Muñoz Jr.: Helping my daughter through a tough situation that resulted in a positive outcome.  I use the same approach with staff.  Another win was removing 11 animals from a bad situation, but also providing additional resources to the owner.

The Association: What’s the last book you read? 
Art Muñoz Jr: It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell

The Association: Please share a hidden (or not-so-hidden) talent. 
Art Muñoz Jr: I’m super athletic????  Pretty much good at every sport….

The Association: You recently spoke at Animal Care Expo, sitting on the DEI panel. For those who weren’t there, what was one key point that you shared in the room?

Art Muñoz Jr: Looking at the bigger picture – we no longer can be narrow-minded and only focus on the animal side of issues.  If we can help the people, we can better help the animals.  In addition, we can’t be successful with community engagement and building trust rather than fear if we don’t understand our own community and its demographics.  Most of all, providing accessible resources and being consistent with those resources.

The Association: Anything else you’d like your colleagues to know about you and your work?   
Art Muñoz Jr: I’ve had a very interesting career and have witnessed some crazy stuff.  This has allowed me to share my experiences and skills that I have learned in my 20-year career with the City of Garland. We strive to be the best!  Success is a slow process, and quitting does not speed it up!!

The Association: OK—last question for fun… You can invite 5 people from all of history to dinner. Who’s at the table, and what are you eating?  
Art Muñoz Jr: Poncho Villa, Bill Clinton, Jackie Robinson, John F. Kennedy, and Bigfoot.  Of course we are going to eat Mexican food.

Learn More

How I Got Here: Stephanie Kendrick
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Tim Anderson, CAWA
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Lily Yap, MBA
Member Spotlight: Get to Know Kathy Duncan