The SPCA in Cattaraugus County Board of Directors has introduced Kellie Roberts of Jamestown, who has held multiple leadership roles in caring for animals, as the organization’s new executive director.

“Kellie brings to the SPCA over 25 years of animal welfare experience,” says Karen Crowley, SPCA board president. “We consider ourselves lucky that Kellie was interested in joining our organization at this critical time.”

Roberts worked as a licensed veterinary technician in New York and in Ohio for nearly 10  years and was a department supervisor for many years at a publishing services company, among other careers, before entering the world of animal welfare full-time at Animal Care Sanctuary in Bradford County, Pa. Since then, she has held leadership roles at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh and at the Chautauqua County Humane Society in Jamestown. She is certified in Fear Free Shelters, has earned her certificate in Compassion Fatigue Strategies from the University of Florida’s Shelter Medicine Program and is a member of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.

“Animals have always been important to me and I learned early on that many animals and their families need assistance,” Roberts says. “Communities must have strong organizations in place to meet these needs and avert crises whenever possible. Dedicating much of my life to animal welfare organizations, whether as a volunteer, foster, donor or staff, was the way I chose to help as many people and animals in our communities as possible.”

Roberts has a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Journalism from SUNY Oneonta, a Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics with specialization in Non Profit Management from SUNY Empire State College and an associate degree in Veterinary Technology from SUNY Delhi.

After visiting the SPCA in Cattaraugus County last summer, Roberts said that seeing the upgrades the SPCA has made in recent years piqued her interest in possibly becoming a part of the organization’s future.

“When I visited last year I saw the improvements that had been made in recent years and that indicated to me that the organization had people on board who were serious about positive change,” she says. “I decided to take this position, in part, because of this progress. The other piece of my decision was that the SPCA had begun planning their Claws & Paws Capital Campaign and I wanted to be part of that.”

Roberts joined the SPCA in early December 2024 and has had some time to get a feel for the organization.

“What I like the most so far about being at the SPCA is getting to know the dedicated staff and volunteers and working with the SPCA’s committed and knowledgeable board,” she says. “In the seven months that I have been with the organization we have worked together to make significant progress in many areas, which is gratifying. I get satisfaction from creating efficiencies and structure and seeing the benefits of that structure in action.

“Plus, I just love this work,” she adds.

The initial focus for Roberts has been to begin to advance the organization’s programs and services to align with current animal sheltering best practices. This includes improving the adoption process, customer service and animal care. Through these improvements the SPCA aspires to become a more complete resource center for the pets and people in the community.

“We want the animals in our care to go home more quickly, both for their well-being and so we have the room to help the next animal in need,” she says. “We want to do what we can to help pets stay in their homes with the families who love them. The veterinarian shortage is real but another of our goals is to provide low-cost spay and neuter services.”

The SPCA is launching the Claws & Paws Capital Campaign, an expansion and renovation project, in response to the New York State Companion Animal Care Standards Act of 2022. The current building, which has been the county’s SPCA location for more than 40 years, does not comply with the new mandates.

“The current facility is in poor condition,” Roberts says. “This project is necessary for the SPCA to be able to continue serving the community and its animals.”

The new building will reduce stress and disease in shelter residents. It will be a pleasant place for the animals to live and for people to visit, volunteer and work. The building will include a multi-purpose room for events and an indoor dog play space, a veterinary clinic and new state-of-the-art housing for dogs, cats and small animals.

‘The SPCA in Cattaraugus County has had some difficult times over its 120-year history, yet so many in the community have stood by the organization through it all, and that is to be commended,” Roberts says. “My goal in joining this organization is to come together with the staff, volunteers, board members, and the greater community to create a welcoming, safe and contemporary animal shelter that has services and programming to support the needs of the animals and the people of our area.

“It is also important to me that we include the financial sustainability piece in our planning to ensure that the organization remains viable for the next 120 years of serving the area.”

Roberts can be contacted at kroberts@spcacattco.org or at (716) 372-8492.