New Northampton animal shelter director wants to ‘focus forward’
Wees takes over as facility emerges from controversy
Sarah Wees’ last name rhymes with “peace.”
Being a peacemaker will be crucial for Wees, who as the new executive director of the Center for Animal Health & Welfare has begun dealing with unwanted or orphaned pets, as well as passionate pet lovers, at the Williams Township facility.
Wees, 54, took over Jan. 18 for Kelly Bauer, who was executive director since 2016 of Northampton County’s largest animal shelter but abruptly left at the end of the year. A June letter by center board president Mike McMullen said Bauer was set to resign on or before July 7, 2023. But later, she told the board she would resign Dec. 29, she said.
“She was saying in June she was ready to transition to new things,” McMullen said. “She clearly resigned sooner than we anticipated.”
Bauer faced criticism, mostly from shelter supporters and those who took to social media, for her at-times combative operating style.
Former staff, volunteers and others raised concerns about her leadership style, citing her use of inappropriate language and bullying individuals.
Wees, who has spent 25 years in animal welfare, faced somewhat similar circumstances when she was named head of the Southeast Volusia Humane Society in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in 2018, according to one media report. There, Wees’ predecessor was removed after months of internal turmoil and accusations of mismanagement, the report said.
Wees left the humane society in 2021 to become executive director of the Middleberg Humane Foundation in Virginia. A Massachusetts native, she said she was looking to move to
the northeast, in part to be closer to her parents. McMullen said she was chosen out of about five or six other candidates in a nationwide search.
Asked about how she would deal with past criticisms, Wees said she would “focus forward” on the tasks at the center, and possibly having to mend community fences.
“I don’t dwell on anything that happened, especially that I wasn’t a part of,” she said. “Listening to things second- and third-hand is not beneficial in my eyes.
“So I just focus on what I can do best for the community, the animals, the staff and volunteers and for the donors, and hope that people see the positive and become involved, or not,” adding how people don’t always find a certain organization a good fit for them. “Hopefully, we’ll make some good, positive moves in the community.”
She also said she would collaborate with other area animal facilities when appropriate.
“We welcome the new director and are excited for any opportunities to partner to help more cats,” said Stephany Gallagher, president of Feline Urban Rescue and Rehab, which rescued about 1,000 cats last year, nearly two thirds of which were adopted, the balanced neutered, vaccinated and returned in the wild.
Melissa Marsico, the Volusia shelter board president, said Wees brought a calm to the facility, reducing internal strife, working to keep animals safe and health, while reducing the nonprofit’s expenses.
“I can tell you as far as Sarah is concerned, she is very good at what she does,” Marsico said. She also said Wees is good at managing with the difficulties of the profession, including sick or injured animals, and dealing with everyone from animal wardens to worried pet owners.
“People are very passionate about animals,” Marsico said.
McMullen, too, did not want to dwell on the past year at the agency during an interview Monday at the shelter on Island Park Road.
“She is aware of all the turmoil and things taking place,” McMullen said at the time Wees was named executive director. “She is going to be the new lady in town to move positively forward with everybody.”
The Center, which employs 26 and relies on a hosts of volunteers, exists mostly on fundraising and public donations. The agency has received $111,000 from Northampton County, including $50,000 each in 2021 and this year from its “Grow NORCO” grant program. But in 2019, 2020 and 2022, it received $11,000 from county council’s fund, while the grants come from hotel tax revenue, according to Stephen J. Barron Jr., fiscal affairs director.
One of the grants went toward “Project PAW,” which opened in April in Downtown Easton, which focuses on helping residents with adoption as well as low- or no-cost vaccinations and other programs.
The agency depends mostly on public donations; its biggest annual fundraiser, “Pins for Pets,” is set for 10 a.m. March 18 at Jordan Lanes in Whitehall Township, Wees said.
Founded in 1913 and previously known as the Northampton County SPCA, the shelter became no-kill in 2003.
More about Sarah Wees
Q. Is she a dog or cat person?
A. I am truly both. Right now, I have two dogs, one of which is not super trustworthy of cats. Otherwise, I’ve have cats too. Q: Her favorite TV show with furry stars? A. I don’t really watch animal shows. I only watch it for the Puppy Bowls, since one of our dogs was in it. “Pierogi,” a Center alum, appeared on Sunday’s “Puppy Bowl XIX” on Animal Planet during Super Bowl LVII. Q. Any outside interests?
A. I spend time with my nephew. I am also house-hunting; if any of your readers are selling a house, I’m looking around.
Q. Before working in animal welfare, what did she do?
A. Wees worked in communications for several other nonprofits.
Quotable: “When I was growing up, I was always the one bringing home the snakes and frogs, or the stray that followed me home. I rarely asked for dolls for my birthday. I always asked for animals and animal books.
“When I volunteered , I eventually said, ‘Shoot, why don’t I get paid to do this?’”
Learn more
Center website: healthyanimalcenter.org
Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@