On January 8, 2021 at Lincoln South Rotary Club we heard from Sara Quandt of the Capital Human Society.

Sara first wanted us to "meet" the new Executive Director - Shannon Martin-Roebuck. Shannon has filled the position vacated by Bob Downey who served as the Executive Director for 36 years.
 
Shannon is skilled in strategic planning, process improvement, project leadership, team building, program development and community outreach. Prior to her service with Capital Humane Society, Martin-Roebuck served as Research Faculty at Colorado School of Mines focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion and college access. For more about Shannon - click here.
 
Sara gave us a littl history - the Lancaster County Human Society began in 1902 in a shed near the West "O" Street viaduct. The original missino was focused on preventing cruelty to children and horses but expanded to include a variety of animals in 1907.
 
The society acquired a tract of land at Park Boulevard and Hatch street in 1924. With a new building erected in 1966, they continue to use that facility today.
In 2013 they opened the Pieloch Pet Adoption Center at 6500 S. 70th Street. The center handles adoptions and humane education.
 
They are in the midst of a major renovation to the facility on Park Boulevard. The building is solid but the plumbing and HVAC need to be upgraded. They will also include sound reduction walls to reduce the stress on the animals. They want to make it safer and more comfortable for the animals. In addition there will be a welcoming, roomy waiting area. This is the facility that takes in the lost pets and they remain their until reclaimed by their families.
 
Helping Pets Find Their People is their new tagline and they have an updated logo as well.
 
Sara talked about the activities of the Capital Humane Society. She reported that about 70% of the lost cats and dogs are reunited with their families. Every animal that they care for is micro-chipped before leaving their facilities which helps keep track of them. Once they are up for adoption, they have a good record of finding their family within 3-6 days.
 
When a lost or stray animal is turned over to them there is routine processing. They get a quick exam and take care of them if they are injured. If there is no chip they look in the stray "book" where they list all of the animals that have been reported lost. The animals are then held for 10-14 days. After that, unclaimed animals get a full exam, vaccinations, spay/neuter. At that point they are available for adoption. 
 
There is a flow of animals between the Capital Humane Society and others - they want to keep the animals moving to their families. Though most of the animals at the Capital Humane Society come in from / go out to the Lincoln Lancaster Area, often they serve others - Omaha, Beatrice, York most frequent. Because they are affiliated with the PetFinder program, the pets are seen by a larger area. Sara said she is aware of a South Dakota family that adopted and that someone from Illinois is coming this weekend. 
 
One of their newer programs is working with Feral cats - to give them a purpose. After they micro-chip them and work with them a bit they relocate them outside of the city limits. The goal of the program is to give the cats a purpose - most are barn cats that can help with pest control.
 
Sara said that with all of their programs they ensure that they are true to their mission: Capital Humane Society serves the community by sheltering homeless pets, advocating for animal welfare, and educating the public about responsible pet care.
 
BIO:

Sara Quandt serves as the Director of Fundraising & Development for Capital Humane Society at the Pieloch Pet Adoption Center.  Sara joined the CHS team in November 2019. Prior to joining Capital Humane Society, Sara served as a Senior District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America, Mid-America Council in Omaha.  During her time with the BSA Sara worked in several areas including operations, fundraising and training and had the opportunity to serve two different districts.   

Sara holds a BA in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration focusing on Development from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. 

Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs, Arthur and Jameson and their cat Theodora.