July 2, 2020 10:15 a.m.

After 11 years at the helm, Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center Executive Director Wendy Kang is stepping down.

A release said Kang plans to join her husband’s veterinary practice in Oakland.

Kang described the non-profit as “a progressive and socially-responsible animal welfare organization”. She said the next executive director “must be a person of vision that can grow Saving Grace and its mission of promoting the human-animal bond through responsible pet ownership”. Kang said the new leader must be able to work with their board of directors and county officials to achieve that mission. She said they need to be able to serve as a role model to the staff, volunteers and community, and to everyone that comes in contact with the organization.

Kang said responsibilities will include managing the shelter’s growth, supervising operations, fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, financial planning and oversight, program development and implementation, and assessment and evaluation. Kang said a love of animals is a must, as they take in over 3,000 animals each year.

The release said until a new executive director is hired, Kang will continue in that role. Of her departure, Kang said she has always wanted to work with her husband in his veterinary practice, but she has stayed with Saving Grace because she cares so much about the organization. However, now she feels the time is right for both her and Saving Grace to make the change. Kang said she will use her administrative skills to help her husband focus on being a veterinarian, rather than spend so much time trying to also be a business owner and manager.

Those interested in applying for the executive director position, can contact Saving Grace at 672-3907 for more information.