The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society announced that its executive director is stepping down a few days after an item appeared on a Santa Maria City Council agenda related to the nonprofit’s possible merger with the Santa Barbara Humane Society.
On Jan. 21, the City Council approved a measure allowing the Santa Barbara Humane Society to take over the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society’s lease of city-owned property on West Stowell Road. The city and the nonprofit first entered into this lease agreement in 1987.
According to a staff report from the meeting, the potential merger is the result of funding issues the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is experiencing. According to financial information on the nonprofit’s website, most of its funding comes from donations, grants, and events.
“In an effort to address funding issues, the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society will be merging with the Santa Barbara Humane Society,” the staff report states. “The Santa Barbara Humane Society has adequate funding to be capable of honoring the lease provisions.”
Less than a week after the City Council meeting, the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society announced through a blog post on its website that Executive Director Sean Hawkins is stepping down on Jan. 29. According to the post, Hawkins is leaving the nonprofit to accept a position as the chief advancement officer at the Charleston Animal Society in South Carolina.
Hawkins worked for the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society for less than three years. In the post, he pointed to some of the work he has completed during that time, including increasing the number of dogs and cats the nonprofit spays and neuters annually.
“Some of the most important advancements during my time at the Humane Society for me are the establishment of a shelter medicine program and expanding community veterinary services,” Hawkins said in the post.
The post announcing Hawkins’ departure doesn’t mention the possible merger with Santa Barbara Humane Society. Representatives from the nonprofits couldn’t be reached prior to press time to confirm details about the potential merger.
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 6, 2020.