The Humane Society of the South Platte Valley’s board has fired executive director Nick Fisher and replaced him with an interim director, Leslie Maisonneuve.
Board member Margie Munoz and Maisonneuve briefed Littleton City Council on the situation on Oct. 16.
“We’ve taken steps within the last week to implement a dynamic growth plan,” said Munoz.
She thanked Fisher for his time and energy, but said the board is excited to explore permanent options.
Council unanimously approved an agreement Sept. 18 to work with Arapahoe County, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Sheridan, Englewood, Lone Tree and Parker to explore options for housing lost or abandoned critters throughout the south metro region.
The agreement does not specifically say the joint committee will look for ways to keep the HSSPV viable, just that it will explore a variety of options ranging from a regional full-service animal shelter to using a combination of private kennels.
The shelter has struggled to become financially stable since the state attorney general’s office closed the Colorado Humane Society. Littleton and Englewood each provided $100,000 to kick-start HSSPV to replace CHS in 2009, and agreed to pay $50,000 a year for animal-sheltering services. HSSPV has asked for $25,000 advances each of the last two years.
Both councils gave HSSPV an extra $41,000 for 2012 — for a total of $91,000 each. Littleton City Manager Michael Penny warned he expected it to be the last time.
“The timing of last resort is the 2013 budget,” he said last spring. “We’re not continuing to do this.”
Council agreed and tossed the extra out of the 2013 budget that they approved during the Oct. 16 meeting.
Maisonneuve said she’s “super excited” about the direction the board is heading, and added that the community is becoming more involved through volunteering and donations.
She said her primary focus will be making the shelter more efficient by providing the right services and using the space better. She’ll also look at ways to increase cash flow, perhaps by charging for animal behavior training.
