Steven Greene, who had led Lubbock Animal Services since 2018, has died unexpectedly, the City of Lubbock announced Monday. He was 61.
Greene died over the weekend, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported. The city has not shared a cause of death, and we won’t speculate.
Thirteen years at the shelter
Greene joined Lubbock Animal Services in 2013 and worked in several roles before becoming director in September 2018, the city said, according to KCBD.
“Steven took on one of the most challenging, and thankless, roles at the City of Lubbock. He served with class and integrity, and made immeasurable improvements to the department during his 13-year tenure,” Deputy City Manager Bill Howerton said in the city’s statement. “Steven, his leadership and friendship will be missed.”
Assistant Director Taylor Ruggles described Greene as a mentor who cared about the people he worked with as much as the animals. “Steven was more than a mentor to the staff. He was our cheerleader, our life coach and on-the-job therapist. He loved his staff as much as he did animals,” Ruggles said. Ruggles said the staff is committed to carrying on his goals for the community, and closed with a nod to his loyalties: “In his honor – go Red Raiders!”
The city has not said who will lead the department for now. We’ve asked. We also haven’t seen information about services; we’ll add it if the family or city shares it.
How to honor him
The city is asking neighbors to consider volunteering at or donating to Lubbock Animal Services in Greene’s memory. Here’s how, according to the city’s own pages:
- Volunteer: The adoption center at 3323 SE Loop 289 takes walk-in volunteers during regular hours, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. New volunteers fill out an application and attend an orientation, held monthly at 5:30 p.m.; the city’s events page lists the next one on Thursday, Nov. 26. Kids under 14 need a parent or guardian with them. Jobs include walking and socializing dogs, socializing cats, playgroups, photographing animals, Doggy Day Outs and helping at events. Details are on the Get Involved page.
- Foster: Email LASfosters@mylubbock.us. No appointment is needed to adopt or foster, the city says.
- Donate: The city’s Donations page lists ways to give supplies or money to the department.
- Adopt: The city’s events page lists free adoptions and free microchips on Saturday, Nov. 14, 1 to 8 p.m., at Tito’s, 412 Quaker Ave., and free adoptions on Saturday, Nov. 28, noon to 4 p.m., at Pets Plus, 6419 University Ave.
General questions: 806-775-2057 or lubbockanimalservices@mylubbock.us. To report an animal emergency in the field, call 806-775-3357, and 911 for emergencies.
Sources
- KCBD, Chelsea Collinsworth, Nov. 9, 2026: https://www.kcbd.com/2026/11/09/lubbock-animal-services-director-steven-greene-dies-unexpectedly/
- Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Adam D. Young, Nov. 9, 2026 (via The Daily News, Galveston): https://www.galvnews.com/news_reuters/texas/lubbock-mourns-animal-services-director-greene-after-sudden-passing/article_f9ba133c-28e2-5f03-9a26-b6fd061c9125.html
- City of Lubbock: LAS Get Involved: https://www.mylubbock.us/216/Get-Involved
- City of Lubbock: LAS Donations: https://www.mylubbock.us/207/Donations
- City of Lubbock: Animal Services: https://www.mylubbock.us/185/Animal-Services
- City of Lubbock: LAS Events: https://www.mylubbock.us/732/Events
