BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -
The much beleaguered Companion
Animal Alliance is set to welcome its fourth executive director in the last
three years, when Beth Brewster takes over on January 21.
"I'm known for going in and turning
around shelters," said Brewster. That's my history with animal services and so I'm really hoping
I can make a difference in Baton Rouge."
Former volunteer and shelter
employee Jaden Stafford says Brewster will have her hands full. Stafford was
among several former employees of CAA that alleged neglect and abuse issues at
the shelter in the past and believes a limited budget will be just one of the
many challenges Brewster will face.
"A lot of employees have had
their hours cut down to nothing because they didn't have the funding to pay for
people to work or vaccinations, pay for vets - so budgeting is going to be a big
issue," said Stafford.
Another concern brought forward
after an investigation of CAA by East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Director
Hilton Cole, was what Cole labeled a lack of organization at the shelter.
That is an issue Brewster says has to be addressed from the top down.
"I think it's all about
structure. It's all about following protocol, knowing where your animals are,"
added Brewster. "I think it's just smoothing out the process so they don't get
lost in the shuffle."
Among other changes Brewster
plans to consider is adding more shelter veterinarians and relying on the
practice of transporting animals to other approved groups and shelters.
Regardless of what she puts into motion as policy, Brewster adds she will be
driven with one goal in mind.
"As long you remind yourself this
is what we're in it for, we are in it for the animals. I think it helps groups
work together better."
Copyright 2013 WAFB. All rights reserved.
Beth Brewster
