Rappahannock woman wins top Julia Wagner animal shelter position

FRONT ROYAL – At a Saturday night fund-raiser at the Front Royal Moose Lodge, Ellen Aders, president of the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC), brought a crowd of between 200 and 300 people to their feet with a surprise announcement – the appointment of a new executive director for the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter.

Aders introduced to those who flocked to the annual Tales & Ales Cash Party and Silent Auction” November 17 Meghan Bowers, an animal care technician from Rappahannock County, who will take control of the local animal shelter on December 1.

With a perhaps an appointment misstep last February of an executive director who resigned the position after six months, Aders and her board of directors have been seeking a replacement since September, advertising within the local area and further afield. Ultimately, the group had several qualified applicants to interview. Bowers came out with the job and took a standing ovation when introduced.

Bowers, a slight young woman with a dynamic personality, for the past year worked for the Country Club Kennels and Training – The Chance Foundation – in Amissville VA and before that was shelter manager for the Friends of Homeless Animals in Aldie, a job similar to the position she will fill in Front Royal. She will continue to live in Rappahannock County, remarking that she was about a 30-minute drive from Front Royal.

Aders expressed excitement over the appointment and confidence in Bowers’ future capabilities at the local shelter.

The Tails & Ales gala is one of HSWC’s major fund-raising events, netting almost $10,000 in ticket sales while awaiting impressive totals from its silent auction and a score of more ticket-selling attractions during the evening.