Dreams Coming True

“I love working with animals, as it’s always been a passion of mine. I’m also a registered nurse, so have a medical background I can also use while taking care of the cats and dogs under our care,” she said.

Hayenga and Spaw have been working together to create positive changes to the overall functionality of the day-to-day services, so they can effectively help the counties who support them. One way this is being done is eliminating some of the paperwork and filing information out electronically. Another is integrating more cross-training between staff members, so they are equipped to help with both cats and dogs.

“We want to be more efficient and free up time so we can really care for the social well-being of the animals,” Hayenga said. “As well, at the forefront of our mind is remembering we are a non-profit who is ran by the community and we want to be supportive of the community we are serving.”

One area Hayenga would like to focus on within the community is an increase in education, whether it’s helping families and children understand breeds, how to approach animals, or the importance of spaying or neutering animals.

“I look forward when I can go into the schools or with other groups and provide additional education on animals. Asking them about what your role with animals and how you can care for them, as well as how do you approach animals or why animals act the way they do,” Hayenga shared. “I also would like to educate people on the purpose of why we are a no-kill shelter and how all of our animals are rehomed.”

Hayenga background is multi-versed and fully benefits the Humane Society. After high school, he managed and was part owner in the restaurant business, while then becoming the maintenance director at a nursing home. Then for the past decade, he has been in the education system, first overseeing Head Start at Emmetsburg and then transitioning into guidance counseling.

“I had some board members share with me the open position and asked if I was interested. Brooke and I always knew we’d like to move to the Lakes Area, with numerous family members living in the area,” he said. “Then I have a huge passion for animals and it’s really exciting to be able to combine past roles to benefit my position here at the Humane Society.”

Volunteer Servants
One of the important pieces contributing towards the success of the Humane Society is the volunteers who come in regularly to walk dogs, cuddle with kittens, or to do laundry. Hayenga says for the past 15 years, Becky has been dedicated to coming in every Monday. Val  and Jeanie also come once a week to walk dogs or aid the paperwork electronic process. Others make toys or countless bags of homemade dog biscuits.

“We are blessed by this community and so many wonderful volunteers who take time out of their days and weeks to love on the animals here,” he added. “We also have an amazing foster care system that I’d like to expand, so we can really better care for the animals who find themselves in a medical emergency.”

The Humane Society receives calls for animals in need or the area law enforcement agencies will also bring cats or dogs they find. Some come to the Shelter very neglected or possibly injured and the foster care system provides one-on-one additional care and love.

“It’s better for the animals as they get extra care at home that we can’t provide here just because of the sheer numbers we sometimes have on-site,” Hayenga said.