Board President updates community
As The Healdsburg Animal Shelter still struggles with the issues surrounding its newly built facility, the board had many positive updates to report at the city council meeting last week.
Not only has their professional advisory board been recently organized with new members experienced in animal welfare but they have also introduced a new Director of Animal Services position.
Judi Adams joined the team last month, bringing close to a decade of experience in animal control from the SPCA Human Investigations Unit in Monterey County.
“This puts me in charge of all of the animal welfare programs including field services and shelter management,” said Adams.
Her job is to oversee the staff at the shelter that work directly with the animals and to ensure that the animals are getting proper care. She also works out in the field assisting both people and animals with safety and care issues.
“I don’t have anything to do with the business part of it, the new building or the fundraising, it is just the animal programs,” Adams said of her focus.
The animal control officer position also requires enforcement of state and local ordinances including dogs running at large, licensing and leash laws.
“I try to do several hours a day of just patrolling and getting to know the community and I want the community to get to know who I am too…going to the dog parks and making personal connections with people,” Adams said.
“My job in Monterey County was strictly doing what was best for animals but when you are an animal control officers you have the ability to help people and animals by protecting people from dangerous animals and protecting the animals from dangerous people,” she said.
The board interviewed several candidates for an Animal Control Officer position but after seeing Adam’s credentials they decided to not only hire her as the lead animal control officer but to tailor the position and expand the duties to fit her extensive capabilities.
“In combining our core animal welfare functions of animal control and ongoing animal welfare under one person, we feel this is the most comprehensive and efficient way for today’s shelter operation to function,” Healdsburg Animal Shelter Board President Bill Anderson told the city council.
The Healdsburg Animal Shelter will continue business at their original location as the legal battle continues over the construction of the new facility built across the street. The shelter refrained from holding their large fundraiser this year while an audit is completed noting that current donations will only be used to operate their current facility.
“We made a strategic decision this year not to hold a large-scale fundraising event as we felt the audit must be completed before asking for the community’s ongoing support,” Anderson said. “As this is now behind us, we will now be conducting a fundraising campaign and ask all those who have graciously supported this organization in the past, to consider doing so again.”
The shelter is currently accepting Christmas gifts, collecting items for the shelter animals. The shelter wish list includes Martingale Collars of all sizes and non-pull harnesses in small and medium. Animal treats and food are also welcome and a list of cleaning supplies for shelter upkeep can be found on their website.
For more information on animal control, adoptions and donations to the shelter, call 431-3386 or visit www.healdsburgshelter.org.
