Alma Torres

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Director, Fresno Animal Center

 

Alma Torres serves as the Director of the Fresno Animal Center, a department she helped establish when the City of Fresno insourced animal control services in December 2023. Although she did not originally envision a career in animal welfare, Alma has built a nearly 30‑year career with the City of Fresno that began as a high school student in a summer work program and advanced through multiple administrative, budget, and finance roles including Deputy City Manager.

 

Her commitment to public service ultimately led her to the work that brings her the greatest fulfillment - helping her community experience the joy animals bring to people's lives. Alma believes that the human–animal bond looks different for everyone, and that through collaboration, programs, education, and accessible resources, all members of the community can share in that bond. This belief was strengthened by the moments that shifted her career path, witnessing families reunited and feeling the same happiness reflected in their tears and wagging tails.

 

Alma holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and a master’s degree in leadership studies. She shares her home with her husband, children, chickens, and grand‑dogs, and enjoys preparing animals for their forever homes through fostering. Outside of work, Alma enjoys reading, traveling, and learning about cultures through food and art.