SPCA HK seeking an executive director - A love for animals and a fighting spirit wanted

[Guest guest]

SCMP Classified Post 2007-05-12

 

Hong Kong

 

A love for animals and a fighting spirit wanted

 

SPCA seeking an executive director who will make a difference while sticking

to the budget

 

A love of animals and courage to stand your ground are prerequisites for

this top role leading an animal-welfare organisation.

 

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hong Kong (SPCA)

celebrated its 85th anniversary last year, and was the first charity in Hong

Kong to address the many aspects of animal welfare. The 140 staff in seven

SPCA centres are devoted to promoting and enhancing animal welfare.

 

If you have business experience in a large corporation and respect for

animals you are encouraged to apply for the role of executive director. This

is your chance to hone and implement a clear strategy that will lead the

society successfully into the future.

 

" The animal welfare world is full of many people with good hearts and more

than a few eccentrics, " said chairman Cathy Hilborn Feng. " The candidate

must be able to work with diverse groups to help build and maintain a united

front. She or he must also be prepared to accept not only bouquets, but

brickbats, " Ms Hilborn Feng said.

 

" As the leading animal-welfare group in Hong Kong and possibly all of Asia,

it attracts praise as well as criticism, whether justified or not, " she

added.

 

In this key leadership role, the appointee will manage the operational and

public aspects of the society so a strong business acumen is a must.

 

The society is also looking for a person who can network with all

stakeholders, including government bodies, SPCA members, the media, other

animal-welfare groups inside and outside Hong Kong, and the public.

 

" We need a keen lobbyist to help authorities understand that just because

'that is the way it has always been done' does not mean it is the best or

only way, " Ms Hilborn Feng said.

 

Working with a team, the executive director will formulate the annual budget

and seek approval for it from the executive committee and trustees.

 

It is imperative to stick to the budget and be alert to deviations. If there

is a problem, the knowledge to suggest ways to get back on track is

essential. The ability to identify potential problems before they arise -

and offer solutions to mitigate them - is invaluable in this position. There

is a challenge that is perhaps not immediately recognisable. Although the

society is a charity, it must generate revenue to pay for its animal-welfare

efforts.

 

" Contrary to popular belief, the society gets less than 1 per cent of its

annual budget from the government, and even that is in subventions targeting

specific tasks, " Ms Hilborn Feng said, noting that the budget was more than

HK$60 million.

 

She emphasised that the person would need a strong ability to persuade,

unquestionable integrity and honesty and, above all, a good sense of humour.

" Not everyone in the community respects animals and understands the benefits

that flow from living in harmony with them. It takes a special person to

help those who love animals to come to a mutually agreeable consensus with

those who don't. "

 

 

 

 

_____

 

nokillcity [nokillcity ] On

Behalf Of Dr John Wedderburn

Sunday, May 13, 2007 11:31 AM

nokillcity

RE: [nokillcity] US animal centre sets a fine example

 

 

 

And let's not forget that the primary problem is the excess production of

dogs and cats which the AFCD allows. With a few simple administrative

measures the tap could so easily be turned off. Through the No Kill City

Forum we have shown them how and there are now numerous examples throughout

the world of cities which are doing this. Why does AFCD make no effort to

turn off the tap? The answer seems to be that the Department's primary

remit is to encourage trade - never mind that it costs the Department more

to deal with the surplus than it would to prevent it. They don't want to

upset their friends in the very lucrative pet trade. At some point Animal

Welfare was tagged on to AFCD's list of duties but any staff who have taken

Animal Welfare seriously have either not had their contracts renewed or have

been sidetracked into posts without influence.

 

 

 

I have attended, as a member of the public, almost all AWAG meetings since

its inception. It is a joke. Resolutions are routinely ignored and any

member who complains about this finds that he/she is not invited back.

 

 

 

Currently we are considering how we can more effectively get the No Kill

message across to the Government and Public. A Leading Marketing Company has

agreed to help us pro bono - we should be hearing from them soon.

 

 

 

If you have other suggestions, please let's discuss them on this forum!

 

John, Chair, HKNKCF.

 

 

 

 

 

_____

 

nokillcity [nokillcity ] On

Behalf Of Sally Andersen

Sunday, May 13, 2007 7:00 AM

nokillcity

Re: [nokillcity] US animal centre sets a fine example

 

In our dreams ......

 

 

 

But why?

 

 

 

Why aren't AFCD more open about what goes on in their Animals Management

Centres? Why don't they let the public know the truth and thereby maybe make

people think twice before abandoning their animals?

 

 

 

Recent media statements by AFCD portrayed Pokfulam AMC as a wonderful place

where dogs live in comfort with soft bed and cuddly toy, a sunny and clean

kennel of their own, space to walk and " lie in the sun " . Apparently all dogs

are checked and treated by the vet if necessary.

 

 

 

Why? Why make statements like this when firstly it's not the truth, and

secondly it actively encourages people to think that if they take their dog

to AFCD it will have all of the above?

 

 

 

We all know the truth. Aren't the public also entitled to know? By being

honest and open, and letting people know that the likelihood of their dog

ever walking out of the gates alive is slim to zero, maybe the numbers of

dogs surrendered would drop.

 

 

 

Sally

Dr John Wedderburn <john wrote:

 

South China Morning Post

http://focus. <http://focus.scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZMGHE0I1F.html>

scmp.com/focusnews/ZZZMGHE0I1F.html

Saturday, May 12, 2007

 

Following Pauline Taylor's points made to this page ( " Shameful waste

of animals' lives " , May 7), I wholeheartedly agree that the

government and public should work together to improve animal welfare

in Hong Kong.

 

When I was in the United States recently, I saw a heartening example

of how this can be done. I was fortunate enough to visit San Diego's

equivalent of Hong Kong's Pok Fu Lam Animal Management Centre.

 

I arrived at the centre without an invitation, but was given a

completely open and enthusiastic tour by its director, John Carlson.

 

The main ways the San Diego centre differs from its Hong Kong

equivalent are: it is fully open to the public; has excellent

relations with rescue groups; volunteer help is encouraged and

regarded as a valuable resource; all animals are spayed or neutered

before adoption and animal spay/neuter coupons are available to the

public; and staff visit local schools, while school visits to the

centre are encouraged.

 

The whole San Diego set-up was most impressive and completely open,

with the director being justifiably proud of the staff and

facilities. Volunteer and staff morale was high, and it was clear

that the expectation was that the animals should find homes, not that

they had entered the system only to be killed.

 

The Hong Kong animal management centres are a public service and paid

for with taxpayers' money. When will they be ready to open their

doors and welcome volunteers, potential adopters, animal welfare

groups and a reduction in the killing?

 

Sheila McClelland, Lamma Animal Protection Charity

 

 

 

 

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