Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryann Regan.
Maryann, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A bequest from a Scituate resident and quiet supporter of the Friends of the Scituate Shelter, Inc. made the dream of the Scituate Animal Shelter a reality. Through her legacy, funds were made available for the 1992 construction of a shelter, first located on a town parcel on the Driftway and lovingly named the Eleanor R. Haughey Animal Shelter.
As the Shelter grew, it became necessary to expand from our humble beginnings to a new, larger shelter. Through the compassion, generosity, hard work and drive of all of our wonderful supporters and volunteers, we were able to relocate to our current address at 780 Chief Justice Cushing Highway (Rt. 3A) in Scituate, Massachusetts.
Today, the Scituate Animal Shelter is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, animal shelter that is primarily volunteer run and funded solely by private donations. The Shelter is staffed by three full-time staff members and seven part time staff members, but a large portion of the work is done by our 200+ volunteers. We receive no state or federal government funding, so we rely entirely upon donations to cover our annual operating expenses. We proudly serve the communities of the greater South Shore region and all throughout Massachusetts.
We care for over 1,000 animals a year and also believe greatly in helping people as well as animals through our various programs and efforts.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anything worth doing and working hard for should be smooth sailing. I think in order to grow and thrive, change is inevitable which can be difficult culturally. I also think it is important to listen to varying opinions in an effort to learn as much as possible. Smooth roads don’t challenge us to think critically and I think it is important to do so for sustainability purposes.
Also, the field of work (animal welfare and sheltering) is often filled with emotional stories and situations. That is inevitable. However, we strongly believe that most people are good so the positive, happy stories and situations by far outweigh the sad, difficult ones.
Scituate Animal Shelter of Massachusetts – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are more than a brick and mortar animal shelter and unlike many animal shelters, we have programs that not only help animals, but help the people who love their pets. We want to help people keep their animals as much as realistically possible and when they want to- when they don’t want to surrender their beloved pet to a shelter. If there is something we can help with like providing food and basic wellness so a person does not need to give up their pet, we are very happy to do so.
The animals who do come to our care receive a very high standard of care. We believe their emotional and mental well-being is just as important as their physical and medical well-being. Our animals receive enrichment (like walks by the ocean) daily and above and beyond medical care before getting adopted out.
We also have a very firm ‘no judgement’ philosophy when it comes the times when people have to surrender their pets. We do not charge an intake fee (which is very unique for an animal shelter) to help break down barriers- instead of people abandoning their pets because of embarrassment or costs, we are here for those who really do need to or want to surrender their pets to us. No judgement. We are here for them.
Lastly, we are one of the most important resources for people and their pets south of Boston. While we are physically located in a lovely, seaside town, our programs and efforts cover all of what we refer to in Massachusetts as “the south shore”. We help with feral cat colonies all around the state among many other efforts.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Just one? Tough.
I lead an organization with an incredible board filled with thoughtful, intelligent and hardworking people. I lead an organization filled with the most dedicated staff and volunteers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I lead an organization where tireless effort goes into the wellbeing of the animals in our care and beyond. I lead an organization where we actually do care about people, believe that people are inherently good and get to help them too. I cannot be more proud of all of these factors and moments that happen because of these things.
Contact Info:
- Address: Scituate Animal Shelter
780 Chief Justice Cushing Hwy.
Scituate, MA 02066 - Website: www.scituateanimalshelter.org
- Phone: 781-544-4533
- Email: maryannregan@scituateanimalshelter.org
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/scituateanimalshelter/
- Other: Linked in: Scituate Animal Shelter of MA
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