Humane Society for Shelter Pets Announces New Advisory Board Members

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the Humane Society for Shelter Pets (HSSP) announced eleven members to sit on the shelter advocate's Advisory Board. The board members consist of shelter professionals, animal control experts, seasoned dog trainers, veterinarians, educators, and fundraising gurus with a wealth of practical expertise.

The incredible breadth of knowledge and vision represented by the board will be an invaluable asset to HSSP as it continues to educate Americans on the importance of supporting local shelters and rescues. The council will also assist HSSP in developing new programs, like the Shelter Assistance Grants Program, to help get pet shelters across the country the help they so desperately need.

"The board will serve as a guiding light for the Humane Society for Shelter Pets, helping our organization expand its base of support while generating ideas for new and exciting ways to further our mission," said HSSP Director Diana Culp.

The following are the members of HSSP's 2012-2013 Advisory Board:

1. Anne Doyle Anderson -- Anne Doyle Anderson is a long-time rescue worker and current director of the St. Francis Rescue in Nacogdoches, Texas, a private, no-kill rescue organization dedicated to reducing the number of abandoned or mistreated pit bulls and American bulldogs.
2. Jennifer Karschner -- Jennifer Karschner works for the County Police in Montgomery County, Maryland. Jennifer also teaches at the University of Virginia and is a former instructor for the Humane Society of the United States.
3. Christopher Hawkins-Long -- Christopher Hawkins-Long is the Executive Director of ART, an arts education non-profit in Chicago, Illinois, and is an expert in grant writing and fundraising.
4. Dr. Wendy Blount, DVM -- Based in Nacogdoches and Lufkin, Texas, Dr. Blount sees patients at several rural clinics throughout the area while working with the City of Nacogdoches Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of Nacogdoches County to operate a low cost spay-neuter clinic.
5. Dr. Melinda Mayfield, DVM -- Along with her work as a veterinarian at the Animal Care Center in Columbus, Kansas, Dr. Mayfield runs All God's Creatures Rescue (AGCR), an all-breed animal rescue in Southern Kansas.
6. Judy Reisman -- Judy Reisman is founder of Guanecaste Province Animal Welfare Foundation (G-PAW) in Costa Rica. Judy is a professional photographer and animal welfare advocate who established G-PAW in 2006 to bring low-cost and free spay/neuter clinics to low-income rural communities in northwest Costa Rica, and help educate the local people about responsible pet ownership.
7. Robin McFarlane -- National K9 School for Dog Trainers graduate Robin McFarlane is owner and training director of That's My Dog!, Inc. in Dubuque, Iowa. In early 2011 Robin was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service by the Department of the Army for her assistance with military working dogs in North Afghanistan.
8. Larry Hostetler -- Larry Hostetler is the executive director of the Animal Shelter Society of Muskingum County, Ohio.
9. Shannon Nachajko -- Shannon is the Coordinator at Catahoula Rescue Inc. New England. Along with her background in dog rescue, Shannon has also worked extensively with equine rescue groups and is an expert in science education and experiential learning.
10. Ann Linton -- Ann is a volunteer at Paws and Claws Pet Rescue in Mayflower, Arkansas. Paws and Claws Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of a small group of people who devote and dedicate their love, time, and personal resources 7 days a week, 365 days per year to care for homeless, abused, and abandoned animals.
11. Larry Kacmarcik -- Larry Kacmarcik runs the Blue Moon Cat Shelter in Witter, Arkansas, the largest no-kill in the state. Blue Moon takes in cats and kittens from county facilities around the state and the region, and works to find them loving, forever homes.

The Humane Society for Shelter Pets is not designed to raise funds for shelters from the public. Instead, the group's primary mission is to educate the public about the importance of local giving. For more information visit, www.humaneforpets.com.

SOURCE Humane Society for Shelter Pets