Central Oregonian

Charting a new path for the Humane Society

Stephen Drynan began his job as the new executive director for the Humane Society of the Ochocos on Jan. 1, 2013

Ramona McCallister

January 24, 2013

The Humane Society of the Ochocos has a new executive director, and the new hire is optimistic that he can make a financial impact, while offering more transparency to the organization.

Stephen Drynan was the business manager for Home At Last, a non-kill private animal shelter in The Dalles, Ore., before taking the position in Prineville. His wife was the operations manager, and together they ran the co-directorship of the shelter.

Drynan brings with him strong money-management skills. In The Dalles, he handled grant administration, fundraising efforts, and all fiscal-related responsibilities in his past position.

He commented that some of the challenges he anticipates in his new role include repairing relationships in the community, as well as expanding on networking with the community to get animals adopted out of the shelter.

“Showing people that we are going to be financially solvent is going to be a big part of it,” Drynan added. “We are here on a County and City contract, and people want to know where their money is going and why.”

He indicated that he wants there to be transparency in the organization, and he would have no problem explaining where all of the funds are allocated, for what programs, and how it goes there.

City of Prineville Manager Steve Forrester said that short-term, the City has made a commitment to support the Humane Society.

“We are looking for some positive feedback, some strategic planning, and some opportunities for us to feel that we are getting an equitable amount of value out of our relationship with them, so I think that is possible,” he added.

Forrester said that the council has had some questions, and they have worked through those up to this point.

“We are looking to strengthen the relationship as we go forward.”

Another challenge Drynan foresees is getting out and doing fundraisers. Drynan already has plans in the works for two upcoming fundraisers, beginning Feb. 1. One includes an advertisement program for a new van, with the advertisements to be displayed on the van. The other fundraiser will include a dinner, dance, and silent auction in April. Currently, he is also working on an ongoing fundraiser with a can and bottle recycling project at the shelter.

In December, the shelter adopted 63 animals. These numbers are up significantly from previous months. Drynan noted that they will also be making some physical changes to the shelter.

“We are going to be doing serious work with the shelter,” he said.

They will be revamping their cat room and eliminating the cat cages and replacing them with “cat condos.” On the front wall, he indicated that they will begin a retail program, where they will sell high-quality dog food for a reasonable price.

“That retail program is another way to fund your administrative expenses,” he said.

Board Chair for the Humane Society Greg Lynch, commented Wednesday that the shelter has become a more sophisticated enterprise than when it initially began. The amount of animals that the shelter has taken and in and become responsible for has also increased significantly over the years.

“It has become a much-more complex business enterprise than what it has been in the past.”

He said that the Humane Society Board is relatively new, with a total of six members.

“We needed a long-term manager, and found Steve and his wife,” said Lynch. “He has, in this very short period of time, has been extraordinarily successful in implementing and establishing policies and procedures.”

He added that Drynan has rekindled relationships with a strong volunteer force, and the amount of adoptions is up significantly.

Board member Bill Zelenka stated that Drynan’s position is appointed by the Humane Society Board of Directors, and the new hire also answers to the board. The shelter is funded by the City and County—who each contribute $3,000 per month, as well as a stipend from a trust account. Other sources of funding include adoption fees, grants, and donations from the community. He stressed that Drynan’s salary is not dependent upon fundraising, although fundraising is a big part of his job.

“Our long-term goal is to become fully-integrated into the Crook County Community,” emphasized Lynch. “We want people to consider our shelter as their shelter.”

The Humane Society of the Ochocos Board of Directors:

Tom MacDonald, Bill Zelenka, Ellen Krider, Daina Vitolins, Tamra McKie, and Board Chair Greg Lynch.

The Humane Society hours to the public are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To reach the shelter, call 541-447-7178