Interim CEO for Cheyenne Animal Shelter announced

Just days after the Cheyenne Animal Shelter Board suspended their CEO Bob Fecht, an interim CEO is being appointed.

Phil Kiner, a member of the Cheyenne community, will begin the new role on Tuesday September 25.

His appointment comes after the controversial usage of a dog in a pepper spray training incident. CEO Bob Fecht who approved the action was suspended for 60 days without pay.

Kiner’s involvement with the Shelter began as a donor. He has served on the Cheyenne Animal Shelter Board of Directors since 2006.

“We feel confident that Phil can capably step in and fill the position of interim director,” said Richard Mincer, a member of the Board’s Administration Committee, which conducted the investigation into the incident. “He knows the challenges we are facing and is ready to help us continue day-to-day operations while guiding the Shelter through the process of repairing the organization’s reputation.”

Kiner is a retired State of Wyoming employee, having served as the Director of Administration and Information as well as the Deputy Administrator for State Construction Management. He is currently self- employed as a nationally-renowned professional trap shooter and trapshooting coach.

“This has been an extraordinarily difficult situation for all of us at Cheyenne Animal Shelter,” Kiner said. “We remain committed to the Shelter’s mission of compassionately caring for homeless and unwanted pets, and we are more determined than ever to regain the trust that we’ve lost.”