EASTON, Pa., (Jan. 19, 2023) – The Board of Directors of The Center for Animal Health & Welfare (CAHW), a life-saving adoption facility dedicated to finding permanent homes for homeless pets, announced today that Sarah Wees has joined the organization as executive director.

Wees comes to the organization with extensive experience in animal welfare that includes animal care, fundraising, volunteer management, clinic operations, board development, community engagement, budgeting, and strategic planning. She entered the animal welfare field as a volunteer 25 years ago and since 2010 has held leadership roles in several animal shelters.

Most recently Wees served as executive director for the Middleburg Humane Foundation, a Virginia farm shelter, where she increased adoptions, overhauled animal data collection, developed a pet parent program that included a food bank and low-cost medical services, and implemented a volunteer database. Prior to that she was the executive director at the Southeast Volusia Humane Society in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. During her time there she reduced shelter euthanasia rates more than 20 percent to achieve a no-kill status and raised revenue to update the shelter’s canine housing.

Wees also served on the Animal Control Board of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and the DEI communications committee for the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA). She is a graduate of the Fear Free Shelters program and is a member of the AAWA.

According to Wees, she was drawn to CAHW because the organization recognizes that animal welfare is not just about animals and that it must also support the people in their lives, and the community. In April 2022, CAHW opened Project PAW, a second location in Downtown Easton, Pa. that is focused on supporting the community through a variety of low and no-cost programs such as vaccine and microchip clinics and pet food bank days.

“I’m honored to join CAHW at a time when the field is transitioning to community-centered animal services,” said Wees. “I look forward to finding forever homes for the animals in our care and working with the community to ensure a future in which responsible pet parents don’t have to relinquish their furry companions due to financial challenges or housing restrictions. When we support the people who love and care for their pets, we ultimately support the pets.”

“We’re excited to have Sarah join our organization. Her passion for our mission and her extensive animal welfare experience makes her well positioned to lead and grow our organization and ensure that we are supporting our community,” says Mike McMullen, President of the Board.

For more information about The Center for Animal Health & Welfare, visit healthyanimalcenter.org.

About the Center for Animal Health & Welfare

Established in 1913, The Center for Animal Health & Welfare (CAHW) is a 501(c)(3) organization and life-saving adoption facility located in Easton, Pa. Dedicated to finding permanent homes for homeless pets, CAHW serves the community by providing medical care, training, placement, and support to animals in need. In April 2022, the organization opened Project PAW Community Center in Downtown Easton, Pa. to expand the range and reach of services to its community. The second location offers low- and no-cost programs such as vaccine and microchip clinics and pet food bank days. For more information, visit healthyanimalcenter.org.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Mike McMullen
Board President
The Center for Animal Health & Welfare
www.healthyanimalcenter.org
 

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