Animal Shelter director let go

New Healdsburg Animal Shelter Executive Director Frances Caballo
was recently let go by the non-profit’s board of directors.
Caballo, who was hired in April, oversaw operations at the
shelter and led fundraising efforts, including the shelter’s big
push to raise an extra $100,000 a year to build and operate a brand
new shelter currently being built.
Healdsburg Animal Shelter Board President Kathleen McCaffrey
confirmed that Caballo had been let go, but said, “It’s illegal for
me to comment on personnel issues.”
McCaffrey said the board is continuing to progress with plans to
build the new shelter and is discussing what to do next.
“The Board of directors is working on moving forward and we will
be taking a look at all of our options and try to make the right
decision,” she said. “We all continue to be very excited about our
new shelter, and I don’t see us losing any momentum with this.”
McCaffrey said Caballo was mostly in charge of fundraising and
that Animal Control Officer Ryan Pelleriti was managing the shelter
in the interim.
“He will continue doing what he’s been doing all along,”
McCaffrey said.
Caballo came to the shelter after being active in the nonprofit
sector of Sonoma County since 1994. Her previous positions have
included tenures as the executive director of Social Advocates for
Youth and as the research and communications director for a
national nonprofit.
Caballo replaced Belinda Uribe, who left the shelter after eight
years to pursue a career in real estate.
Caballo did not return calls for comment.
The Animal Shelter has embarked on a $4.2 million project to
build a new 7,000 square foot facility across the street from the
current building, made possible by a large donation from the Rodney
and Charlotte Strong estate.
McCaffrey said that project is currently underway, with road,
sitework and utilities being drawn to the location.
As for the Executive Director’s job, McCaffrey said it’s a very
challenging and emotional position and urged the community to
acknowledge that “there are two sides to every story.”