Braston Gray is the new director of the animal center

Given the nature of his work, it’s no surprise that Braston Gray loves animals.

Spend a few minutes with the familiar Gray – who has just completed her first week as the new principal of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center – it is quickly evident that Gray, who graduated from Bangs High School in 2010, also gets along well. with people.

On Friday afternoon, in the animal center’s bustling lobby, Gray, 29, chatted with staff and engaged visitors in easy conversation. Noting the windy conditions outside, Gray told a visitor that he had just moved from Lubbock, and the visitor responded that she had recently moved from Amarillo.

Gray previously worked for the city-run Lubbock Animal Services and decided to return home. Gray’s parents are retired state soldier Martin Molotsky and Deedra Molotsky, who oversees the city of Brownwood’s emergency dispatch center.

Growing up in Bangs, Gray said he always loved animals. “My parents always called me Ace Ventura, as someone who would go and fight over all the local wildlife or bring home stray cats and try to give an entire home,” Gray said. “It didn’t always go very well with my parents, but I always tried, so I was always a bit of the animal whisperer for a long time.”

Gray said he was “always the one who wanted to bring home something weird,” which didn’t necessarily meet with his parents’ approval.

In 2013, Gray decided to move to Lubbock, where he worked for a furniture moving company. In 2016, he accepted a position at the Lubbock Animal Service, where he “took care of everything from accommodation duties to field duties, sometimes training new employees, all kinds of things like that,” Gray said. . “We made a lot of changes around 2018. The shelter went from a shelter with almost high mortality to virtually no mortality overnight.”

But Gray decided he had had enough of life in the big cities.

“I had the opportunity to return to Brownwood just under a month ago and this position has become vacant,” said Gray. “I applied, I prayed long and hard about it and now I can sit here.”

Gray added that he “kept coming back no matter what, and I saw this job open up. I said I’d be crazy if I didn’t at least apply and I’m very lucky to be sitting here. . ”

When Gray heard that he was being offered the director job, he had “a lot of emotions,” Gray said. “I felt very lucky and blessed. However, I understood the seriousness of solving overpopulation issues and making sure the animals at the facility are adopted.”

Reflecting more on his love of animals, Gray said, “I think my parents were always great animal lovers too, and I imagine that has rubbed off on me. A lot of it comes from my parents and a lot of it. came naturally too. I like everything. If he has eight legs, no legs, four legs, three legs, covered in scales, fir, fins or whatever, I love everything.

Asked about his hobbies, Gray quickly responded, “I appreciate a good cup of coffee. I like nature. I like herpes. It’s my favorite pastime. photos of them and let them go. I just like to do it as a hobby when the months are a little warmer, when there is a lot more activity. You also catch me in the summer fishing and hiking weather permitting. “

Gray began working as the new director of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center on December 11, a Saturday. “We have a very good staff who are committed to the cleaning, care and welfare of all animals,” said Gray. “I am very impressed that everyone is okay with some of the immediate changes that have been implemented and look forward to making continued improvements going forward.”

Gray said he wanted the community to know “we are open to positive change and we are really pushing for animal adoption, and I think everyone would be happy with the way the shelter is progressing. Us are happy that everyone is coming out and visiting us. “