Humane Society Names Board Officers and Members

June 26, 2008

The Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society named five officers to its Board of Directors and added four members. The new officers are Barbara Harms, education consultant, President; Dr. Richard Shelsky of Albany Pain Management Center, Vice President; Kathlene Thiel of Sawchuk Brown Associates, Treasurer; Mary Anne Kowalski, community advocate, Secretary; and Jeffrey Bulger with the Town of Colonie, Director at Large. The new directors are John Ebersole, President of Excelsior College; Barbara Harms; John H. Kenney of J. H. Kenney Flowers; and Joyce Weiler of Key Bank. They join Tracey Collins, NYS; Timothy Hart, O'Connell & Aronowitz; Dr. John Kearney, Bethlehem Veterinary Hospital; James Kopp, Creative Communication Associates; Lisa Massoth, Rensselaer County Legislature; Denise Ringer, St. Peter's Healthcare; and Eveline Ward-Sells, community advocate.

In existence since 1887, MHRHS provides shelter and care for thousands of lost, abused and abandoned animals each year. The Society also works to promote the human/animal bond through adoption, education and humane investigation. The Society receives no ongoing funding from federal, state or local governments, or any other animal welfare organization. Donations help to support the shelter and its mission of caring for animals in need. The mission of the Society is to improve the lives of homeless and abused animals through sheltering, adoption, education and advocacy, as well as the prevention of animal cruelty. We envision a community in which it is unacceptable to neglect, abuse, or abandon animals; in which homeless animals will be given refuge in an appropriate facility; and that ensures every adoptable animal finds a home.