VALDOSTA — Dogs and cats in Valdosta and Lowndes County now have a full-time voice, committed to creating happier and healthier pets.

In early October, the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County Inc. Board of Directors hired Theresa Collins to serve as the organization’s first full-time, paid director. Prior to this action, the Humane Society was simply a group of concerned individuals who worked out of their homes and out of the goodness of their hearts.

“For the entire 14 years of the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County’s existence we have been an all volunteer organization,” said Cheryl Hatcher, president of the organization’s board. “That means active members managed the organization, raised funds, cared for and placed pets, and educated the public all in their spare time.”

Before assuming her position at the helm of the 650-member organization, Collins worked for The Haven for six years in a variety of positions, including outreach program manager and rape crisis program coordinator.

Hatcher said Collins was the perfect choice for the Humane Society.

“Theresa already had non-profit experience,” she said. “She can fund-raise (and handle) public relations. (She) has great organizational skills and is motivated. She also has law enforcement and judiciary contacts that we need to begin tackling animal cruelty. She was just a great fit for us.”

With a new director in place and an office in the First Valdosta Realty Inc. building on North Valdosta Road, the Humane Society is gearing up for a new era. These changes and future ones will help the organization be more accessible to the public and operate in a more business-like manner.

“Without an office and director, people had to call the answering service, explain what they needed, get someone’s home number, call that volunteer, and wait for the volunteer to return their call,” Hatcher said. “It was often exasperating to deal with us. I think Ms. Collins has already helped us toward accomplishing that goal.”

The Humane Society is also beginning a Cruelty Task Force that will combine volunteers and officials from the Lowndes County Animal Control, Valdosta Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department, and judicial system. Hatcher hopes this group will begin addressing and prosecuting animal abuse in the community.

“Theresa will be instrumental in overseeing this group,” Hatcher added.

Another area Collins will assist the organization in expanding is raising necessary and much-needed funds.

“We are not the best fund-raisers in the world,” Hatcher said. “There are many untapped resources, especially grants, that we do not utilize because no one in the organization has the time or skills to go after them. We really need to do a better job of raising larger sums of money and getting recurring donations.”

Collins is excited about the opportunity to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and the future of the Humane Society.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s been very rewarding so far. I have already comforted people who have lost pets, reunited pets with families, and rescued animals. It’s a nice challenge, and I am looking forward to expanding the organization’s many programs.”

Collins moved to Valdosta from Key West, Fla., with her family in 1976. She has two sons — Jason, 20, and Justin, 17 — and a cat named Miss Kitty. A public relations major at Georgia Military College, she is also fostering a kitten named Rudy.



To learn more about the Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County, make a donation, adopt a pet, or volunteer, please call 247-3266 or visit www.humanesocietyofvaldosta.org. The organization’s office is located at 3470-E North Valdosta Road.



To contact reporter Jessica Pope, please call 244-3400, ext. 255.