Page 32 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2015

PEOPLE a new lease on life UNITINGPETS
WITHPEOPLE Humane Society’s new director sets goals
Jill Mollohan, new Executive Director of Humane Society of South Mississippi
Humane Society
of South Mississippi 2615 25th Ave., Gulfport 228.863.3354 www.hssm.org
In her new position as executive director of
the Humane Society of South Mississippi, Jill Mollohan is settling in and setting goals. She plans to
streamline operations to provide better customer service, boost organizational revenue to better serve pets and their owners, and improve shelter programs and community engagement to increase the number of pets saved on the Gulf Coast.
“Every animal welfare organization is different. We all have our own programs, services, priorities,
and populations that we serve,” Mollohan said. “However, I believe we all share the same goal to ensure that every pet receives a loving, responsible home that lasts a lifetime.”
She says there are several principles of that shared goal, including reducing the pet overpopulation, increasing placement of shelter pets and their “market share” in pet owners’ homes, and educating the public on responsible pet ownership and its key components (spay/ neuter, appropriate pet care and proper pet identification). She hopes to reach a 95 percent or better live release rate.
This story proudly sponsored by:
“We must raise awareness in our communities of the issues facing our pets. Pet overpopulation is a societal issue that can only be overcome when the entire community works together,” Mollohan said. “I truly value the commitment of the Mississippi Gulf Coast community
to its homeless pets, and I welcome input and participation. I’m honored to lead this lifesaving organization and humbled to be given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the homeless pets of South Mississippi.”
Mollohan was selected following a national search by HSSM’s Board of Directors. She most recently served as the business and technology director of the Lynchburg Humane Society in Virginia. She also held positions as spay/neuter clinic manager and outreach/development coordinator. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Technical Institute.
Mollohan’s two dogs — Orion,
a 13-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Winnie, a 15-year- old Cairn Terrier mix — came to
the Coast with her. “I have a special place in my heart for senior pets,” she said. “I’ve had Orion since he was two and adopted Winnie last year at 14 years old.”
story by Lynn Lofton photo by Katherine Sowers
32 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2015
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net