Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center Executive Director Janet Showley is with Omar, a dog in the center’s shelter. “A desk job is not for me,” said Showley. “And I feel like I’m making a difference overall, not only for the animals in our care, but also for the people who adopt them.” Photo provided by Janet Showley.

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — “I’ve always been passionate about animal welfare,” stated Janet Showley, Rochester. “I have empathy for the underserved, and specifically those with no voice.

“Cats and dogs are intrinsically forgiving and so human-dependent. They are companions and they need people to be their voice.” Showley is the executive director of Fulton County Animal Adoption and Education Center.

Her love for all animals started when she was a child. “I’ve owned every pet imaginable. I remember writing persuasive letters to my mom begging for my latest pet infatuation. She didn’t give in every time, but often enough.”

Showley graduated from DePauw University in 2010 with a major in medical anthropology and a minor in biology. While at college, she volunteered at Putnam County Shelter.

“After graduating, I became the volunteer/event coordinator at FACE Spay/Neuter Clinic in Indianapolis. I managed the volunteers, wrote grants, organized fundraisers and ran the adoption program.”

In 2016, with six years’ experience under her belt, Showley stepped into the executive director position at the Fulton shelter.

Her day starts at 8 a.m. “That’s when our staff begins cleaning and caring for the animals. Being hands-on with the animals is important to me. I do have some veterinary field experience, so I help guide staff in a treatment protocol or decide when an animal may need to see a veterinarian.

“Our work with the public begins at 11 a.m. That’s when we open for adoptions, surrenders and reclaims. Besides daily operations, I also handle the administrative tasks, such as payroll, donations and grant writing.”

She enjoys the fact that no two days are alike. “A desk job is not for me. And I feel like I’m making a difference overall, not only for the animals in our care, but also for the people who adopt them.”

The Center also offers a vaccination clinic. “We don’t want people to surrender their pets. Vet care is expensive. Animal welfare really is the specialty of seeing the bigger picture. It forces a person to prioritize what’s important overall because no situation is perfect.

“Creating perfect homes isn’t our goal because it’s unattainable. But as an organization, we can provide resources and education to help owners improve the lives of their pets. For example, we’ve seen a huge increase in puppy surrenders. I’m already working on applying for a grant that will provide low cost spay/neuter for people with larger dogs.”

Many of these puppies are coming from pit bull mix dogs having litters. “Pit bulls have very large litters. So perhaps half are sold or rehomed, and the remaining come to us.

“It breaks my heart to see pit bulls overlooked. No matter the breed, every dog is an individual. I wish people were a little more open-minded when it comes to selecting a dog based on looks.”

Showley has a pit bull/beagle mix named Boomer. She also has a rat terrier, Dexter. One of her cats is named Csonka. Her husband, Brantlyn, named it after a retired Miami Dolphins fullback. The other cat’s name is Kizzie.

She and her husband have been married seven years. They have three children: Teagan, 6; Mara, 4; and Hawkins, 1.

Showley concluded, “There are so many different ways to help at the shelter. Adopt, donate, attend fundraisers and events. We’re always looking for volunteers.”

Those who are interested can email [email protected].