NORWICH – It has been a little more than three months since the Chenango SPCA welcomed a new Executive Director, Annette J. Clarke to its team. Clarke brings over twelve years of prior non-profit experience to the table, and is excited about her position with the CSPCA and the positivity that will ensue.
Clarke lives in nearby Clinton with her husband and two cats, Garet and Santana, and has has three grown children. Before taking on her current position at the CSPCA, Clarke worked as Executive Director at the Kirkland Arts Center in Clinton, where her responsibilities included writing grants, raising awareness, organizing events and raising money.
New to the animal shelter world, Clarke stated, “I have learned a great deal about what a shelter does and how much is involved in keeping it clean and running smoothy. I am excited to be working with such an accomplished, dedicated board who is set to do the best they can with the limited funds we have.”
She is committed to upholding the mission of the CSPCA and has been hands-on with the animals as well. The CSPCA prides itself on the cleanliness of its establishment and everything is scrubbed, sanitized and cleaned out, and the animals get fresh food and water daily. The animals each get to play and have exercise time daily, as well.
Added Clarke, “We’ve got to keep them healthy, happy and active until they’re adopted.”
The CSPCA provides shelter for 1,000 to 1,200 animals each year as an open admission shelter, never turning an animal away. The shelter takes in neglected, abused, stray and unattended animals. Not only cats and dogs, but also animals such as bunnies and chicks that people get for holidays and are no longer able to provide care for. Clarke added, “We hope they all get adopted.”
According to Clarke, a “lot of people own and love animals, and I feel as though this is a generous community.” The CSPCA relies on individual and corporate support to raise money and supplies to keep the animals clean, safe, vaccinated, fed and happy until they find their forever homes.
