Toledo Humane Society, President & CEO

MISSION

The Toledo Humane Society leads the community in efforts focused on relieving the suffering of, preventing cruelty to, and providing for the humane treatment of animals.

The Toledo Humane Society (THS) is the state of Ohio’s oldest animal welfare organization, proudly serving the Toledo community since 1884. For more than a century, THS has remained dedicated to protecting animals, strengthening the human – animal bond, and building an educated, caring, and responsible community free from animal abuse and neglect.

Each year, THS provides lifesaving care to nearly 4,000 animals through comprehensive programs and services. Central to its mission is offering temporary shelter and compassionate care for animals in need while actively seeking their placement in permanent, loving homes. THS is able to support a large number of animals in its care through a very robust foster network. Annually they place around 1,500 animals in foster homes which keeps kennels open for more pets.

THS recognizes that every adoption is unique and special, and it is committed to thoughtfully matching each pet with an appropriate forever family to ensure long‑term success for both the animal and adopter.

Beyond sheltering and adoption, THS serves as a strong advocate for animals, investigating more than 2,000 animal cruelty reports annually and intervening in cases of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Through education and, when necessary, legal action, THS works to improve the quality of life for animals and to hold offenders accountable. THS also provides leadership in advancing legislation designed to strengthen protections for animals across the community.

Education is a cornerstone of the work of THS, actively engaging the community on issues related to responsible pet ownership, proper care and training, and the critical link between animal cruelty and human abuse. By fostering awareness and promoting responsible practices, the organization strives to prevent suffering before it occurs and to cultivate a culture of empathy and accountability.

THS is governed by a 9-member (and growing) Board of Directors and relies on community support to sustain its mission. The operating budget for 2026 is approximately $4M. This is a significant increase from prior years with growth anticipated from earned revenue in the new, reduced-cost, public veterinary clinic. THS also generates earned income through its popular, well‑managed thrift store. Philanthropy generates about $1M annually through individual giving and events.

The financial independence of THS underscores its deep connection to the local community and its commitment to serving the specific needs of the Toledo area.

Guided by core values of compassion, honesty, dignity, respect, and professionalism, THS creates a nurturing environment for both animals and people. Through teamwork and collaboration with partnering agencies and community members, THS works to identify and resolve animal‑related concerns effectively and ethically.

The opportunity to lead the Toledo Humane Society comes at a transformational moment in the organization’s 140+ year history. As Ohio’s oldest animal welfare organization, THS has long been a trusted community institution that the public is encouraged to visit and ultimately adopt or participate in a wide range of educational programs. The next President & CEO will have the rare chance to build off a strong foundation and shape the organization’s next era of growth and impact.

THS recently acquired a new building that houses an expanded behavior training facility and public veterinary clinic, significantly broadening the organization’s ability to serve pets and families across the region. This expansion creates multiple new pathways for impact: addressing behavioral challenges that often lead to surrender or cruelty cases where dogs can be rehabilitated and placed in a forever home, increasing community access to affordable veterinary care, and strengthening the human–animal bond before crises occur.

With these new assets in place, the incoming leader will step into an organization poised for innovation and…