Animal shelter’s fresh start with new management

Today’s the day (December 3) that Front Royal’s animal shelter’s executive director begins her first hours in her new job and the day that the humane society’s president announces a revitalized board of directors with new visions for the future.

Meghan Bowers, whose appointment as executive director of the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter was announced two weeks ago,
fills the vacuum left last September when her predecessor resigned after only six months on the job. Bowers, of Rappahannock County, was one of a dozen applicants interviewed for the job.

Meanwhile, Ellen Aders, president of the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC), announced a new and successful beginning for her organization when she said her board had “rolled up its sleeves and really gone to work” to where the HSWC has become a viable organization once again.

Funding picked up in recent months, much of it due to Aders, her board and shelter staff members, some of it, including $50,000 from the estate of an HSWC member, entirely unexpected.

“All of our work is paying off towards the end of the year,” a jubilant Aders said, pointing first to the recent “Tails and Ales” sellout dinner which netted a tidy $10,500, the second highest amount in the event’s history. She said that absent an executive director until now, each board member was assigned to be the point person of a fundraiser. For example, she said board member Katrina Meade partnered with shelter manager Kayla Wines, to make the year’s final event the outstanding success that it was.

Aders announced the restoration of the highly popular, and extraordinarily remunerative, “Waggin’ for Dragons” boat race on the Shenandoah River. It is set for August 3, 2019.

The “Save the Paws Alliance,” representing a group of high-end contributors, at the suggestion of board secretary Amy Thurman, received a $28,000 response to Aders’ letter to the Elizabeth Clark Foundation. About the same time came the $50,000 check from the estate of Pearl Ziglar, a longtime supporter of the shelter.

The absence of the boat race last summer created a potential $40,000 or larger shortfall in HSWC’s current account, but board member Tammy Williams brokered a deal with Bowling Green Country Club for a substantial share of a golf tournament in October which partly filled the financial hole.

Aders said she has applied for a Petco Foundation grant worth $20,000. “Fingers crossed that we will be awarded it again,” she said.

Money aside – but very much needed – Aders said THE most important goal next year is the maintenance of the shelter’s no-kill status.

In addition, an animal transport van is on the target list. Money from a Rotary Club of Warren County fundraiser is earmarked for such a vehicle which will come under discussion at a December 11 meeting of the board.

On its future wish list is the establishment of the shelter’s own spay and neuter clinic. Aders called this a “dream” that could happen if funds can be made available from the Julia Wagner Trust. It will be pursued.

Finally, Aders gave kudos to the busy group of volunteers who’ve been doing everything from stuffing envelopes to animal adoption activities around town.

“All of our hard work is paying off right at the end of the year,” Aders said.