The Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan is working diligently to reassure the public following the sudden, and unexpected, resignation of the shelter’s Executive Director for the past 13 years, Jill Svoboda.
As first reported here on Moody on the Market over the weekend, Svoboda’s abrupt departure has left the shelter in somewhat of a quandary, but the Board has issued a new statement of thanks and reassurance.
While the unforeseen changes have had “a tremendous impact on managing administrative matters for the Board of Directors as well as keeping the public informed,” the Board has voiced thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers who have jumped in to assist with the continuity of care and support for the animals at the Yeager Family Pet Shelter on M-139 south of St. Joseph as they continue to work to find them all forever homes.
Their statement in part says, “The Humane Society of Southwest Michigan’s Board of Directors wants to thank the public, our donors, employees and volunteers for their ongoing interest in the success of the Humane Society. Over the course of the last few months, the Board has been in the process of exploring new initiatives in the shelter’s operations, public outreach, staff management and transparency.”
However things crashed when on February 23rd, Svoboda resigned after 13 years at the helm.
The statement adds, “The Board of Directors wants to ensure the public, our dedicated supporters and volunteers that the staff, volunteers and Board of the shelter are working hard to resume business as usual, and is in a healthy financial state.”
Additionally, they write, “We want to ensure you that there will be no changes regarding the quality of care for the animals. We are working diligently with our dedicated employees and volunteers to transition effectively to bring the shelter back to expanded access for the public and our volunteers, as well as re-engaging the shelter with our community partners and supporters.”
Due to the departure of the Executive Director and technical issues with the telephone answering system when the switchboard is not staffed, the Yeager Family Pet Shelter will be closed to the public from March 3rd through March 9th.
The Board concludes their statement, saying, “Our main concern as a Board is to make sure our animals are loved, cared for and to find forever homes. Our shelter IS and will ALWAYS continue to be a NO KILL shelter. We are eager to continue to serve the public.”
The Board of Directors is currently in the process of an Executive Director job search to replace the departed Jill Svoboda. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, please remember that donations of food can be made at any time of any day by using the large, weather-proof chests on either side of the front door at 5400 Niles Road, Saint Joseph, MI 49085. Although they are experiencing technical difficulties with their phone’s message service at the present time, the phone is staffed in person during regular business hours. You can call 269-927-3303 during normal business hours for information about how to make a donation to help the shelter animals at an important time.
