A new pack leader at the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society is implementing changes to get more furry friends into loving homes at a faster trot.

Jill Tucker was named as the new executive director of the nonprofit, no-kill agency, and announced her goal to double the current rate of pet adoptions.

Tucker is a California native who began her career in the private sector working for the software industry.

She became involved in animal welfare when she adopted her first dog, then she went on to foster shelter animals.

Tucker's next step was a career switch to nonprofit management, which eventually took her to Vermont to run the Addison County Humane Society and work as a consultant to the Vermont Humane Federation and the Humane Society of the United States.

She also is the proud parent of four large dogs, one cat and two horses.

"We're thrilled with Jill," said Wanda McDonald, a Santa Maria Valley Humane Society board member. "We think she's going to be great, especially with her background with animals."

Tucker filled the position in September after it was vacated by Kelly White O'Neill, who is now the executive director of the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum.

"I like a challenge," Tucker said. "We're short on funding and need to get our budgets balanced and broaden our revenue base. We also want to dramatically increase the number of adoptions we do."

The adoption process has been reworked to gain better information about prospective pet owners by including a veterinary reference check, which would enable same-day adoptions.

"It's already in place and we're already receiving great feedback on it," Tucker said. "If someone's well-qualified and organized, then same-day adoptions need to happen. We just want to make sure that we're streamlined and there are no unnecessary delays."

The former process "might not have been as convenient as it needs to be," she explained.

The humane society shelter is located at 751 Black Road, west of Blosser, between Main Street and Stowell Road.

The office and adoption facility are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. On Thursdays, the hours of operations have been shifted from noon to 6 p.m. to accommodate people with full-time jobs.

"I encourage people, if they're considering adopting a pet to come and visit us. Take a walk through and if you fall in love with a cat or dog, then everybody wins," Tucker said.

For more information on the available pets and the adoption process, visit smvhs.org.

Plans are in progress to move the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society's facility to a new, larger space at 1689 W. Stowell Road by the end of 2010.

The improved facility will cost an estimated $3.4 million but will allow the shelter to receive and adopt out twice as many dogs and cats, provide vaccination services and establish a pet food bank, among its benefits.

November 2, 2009