Video Length: 53:53
Successful shelter leaders share their knowledge on how to run a no-kill organization even when you have a very limited budget. This presentation was recorded by Maddie's Fund® at the 2019 American Pets Alive! Conference.
A former nurse/paramedic for 32 years, Cheryl became interested in the city operated animal shelter in Lockhart during her tenure as Emergency Medical Services director. Concerned for the welfare and outcome of the animals at the shelter, she formed the volunteer group Cause for Paws, Inc. in 1999 whose mission was to assist with the shelter's operations and funding. Soon after, Animal Services was placed under her management. After retiring from the City of Lockhart in 2007, Cheryl went to work in Williamson County as the director for the newly built regional animal shelter, which intakes about 7,000 animals annually. During her tenure, the euthanasia rate has steadily decreased and a save rate of over 90 percent has been achieved and kept since December 2010.
Lindsey has been with Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA (CASPCA) since April of 2018. In this role, she develops and oversees shelter programs such as foster, volunteer, adoptions, transfers, and animal care and enrichment. Lindsey has been working with Maddie's Fund Field Trip and Sleepover Foster Apprenticeships by hosting apprentices at the CASPCA. This coming year the program will host 48 apprentices from around the country through the CASPCA location. Prior to working in Charlottesville, Lindsey served as the director of Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center in Lyndhurst, VA where since 2014 over 95% of the animals that walked through the doors have been adopted, transferred, or reconnected with their caregivers.