With over 15 years of experience assisting animals in Carter County, the choice became quite clear as to who will hold the mantle as the new Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter director.
After accepting the position in late October, Shannon Posada hit the ground running on Monday inside the facility and if the energy is any indicator, the shelter can expect more success in the coming months.
“It’s been an awesome experience,” Posada said about assuming the role as director. “I’m looking forward to helping the animals find homes, working with the community and helping better the shelter for the future.”
The shelter was under the direction of interim director Susan Robinson for little under a month following the resignation of previous director Katelyn Harrington in October. Just mere days after Harrington’s resignation, Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey made the move to bring Posada aboard.
“We’re excited to have Mrs. Posada as part of the shelter,” Humphrey told the Elizabethton Star following the announcement. “She’s very experienced and will be a great addition.”
Posada comes to the shelter after obtaining over 15 years of experience working alongside Dr. Michael Brown at the Elizabethton Veterinary Clinic.
Robinson, who will still assist at the shelter, cited Posada’s experience as a key factor for what the facility is hoping to accomplish for the community.
“Shannon has been a joy with the awesome experience she’s got,” Robinson said. “One thing we didn’t have, day-to-day, was an onsite vet. With her veterinary practice experience, working with Dr. Brown, we’re just so blessed. It’s a miracle to find someone like Shannon to be here everyday and help the animals by taking care of their needs here. It’s going to be wonderful. We don’t have to constantly wait on a vet or go to a vet … she can help make some of them well before it gets to that stage. “
While it was her first day at the facility, Posada commended the efforts of the staff, including Robinson and office assistant Maria (Talley).
“I thank God for Susan (Robinson),” Posada said. “She’s been a blessing to the shelter. Maria has been such a help and the rest of the staff at the shelter has been wonderful to work with. You couldn’t ask for a better staff and we’re looking forward to finishing out 2016 and moving forward into 2017.”
The shelter recently capped off a successful “Empty the Shelter” event, Robinson added. Due to recent additional sponsorships, expected expansion and other events coming down the pipeline, residents can expect grand things at the shelter, according to Robinson.
“We’ve got a lot of wonderful things in the works right now,” she said. “We can’t wait to announce it to the public. We think the community will love it.”
For more information, contact the shelter at (423) 547-6359. Robinson added the shelter is updating their petfinder.com website to include animals that are currently inside the facility and that a Facebook page to help distribute information is in the works.