Stephanie Amato
Director of Yolo County Animal Services (YCAS)
Originally from Monterey County, CA, Stephanie has resided in Yolo County for the past 30 years after attending UC Davis as an undergraduate in Animal Science and Management. She continued her journey in animal husbandry as a Milker at the UC Davis Dairy. Her passion for teaching continued when she changed careers to become an Assistant Director and Toddler Teacher at an Early Child Development Center. Firmly believing in the saying” Everything Happens for a Reason,” Stephanie applied to a position for an Animal Services Officer I (ASO) with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. Aspiring to utilize her passion for animals, community service and outreach this was the perfect career path for her.
Since starting in 2013 as an ASO, Stephanie promoted to FTO, Supervising ASO and to her current role as Director in 2019. She achieved certification as a specialized Animal Cruelty Investigator, which contributed to her recognition by the courts as an expert witness in Animal Sport Fighting, particularly fighting dogs and roosters. She has investigated multiple complex animal cruelty cases resulting in large scale impounds, which once included 80 animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs) found in the back of a U-HAUL in the hot July heat. Stephanie has responded to natural disasters and is specifically trained to respond for animal evacuations during wildland fire incidents.
Stephanie believes by providing the communities she serves with opportunities focused on the human-animal bond and positive law enforcement interactions; the impact on the numbers of animals will grow. Areas specifically in Yolo County needing additional resources, such as low cost spay/neuter, vaccinations, basic veterinary care are a high priority for Stephanie as a career goal. Under her leadership and use of grant funding, YCAS has begun hosting free microchip and vaccine clinics in different areas of the county they serve. Stephanie also played a large part in advocating for the County to hire a Veterinary team instead of contracting out those services. This transition has allowed YCAS to meet the growing and changing needs of the communities they serve. Stephanie envisions the Yolo County Animal Services as the “Resource Hub” for all things related to the animals in her county. Her goal is to continue to expand her local partnerships which will provide more care and resources to the animals and their humans in efforts to keep them from entering the shelter.
When the opportunity arises, Stephanie will take the time to share how much she and her team are so much more than “DOG CATCHERS’ who work at “THE POUND.” Advocacy and education are her prime passions.
Stephanie resides in Woodland with her two sons, and YCAS alumni dogs, cats and chickens. She is also ALWAYS taking pictures; animals, kids, food, but her favorite is photographing her garden especially the sunflowers and iris she grows. Stephanie strives to give 100% to those areas in her life that mean the most which is her FAMILY; at home, the shelter and the community of Yolo County.