By Kayla Bruch

Animal lover takes on new role at SPCA

Dec 16, 2014 | 6:00 AM

The Prince Albert SPCA is welcoming a new executive director to its team.

The SPCA’s new executive director, Dave Young, started in his role on Monday.  He takes over the position formerly held by Debbie Lehner, who announced her resignation in October. 

Young said he spent his first day getting familiar with the new SPCA facility as well as the staff who work in it.

“I think it’s fairly exciting, it’s new for me, I have worked closely with SPCA but not internally,” he said. Ultimately, Young said he is beginning by “getting to know the ins and outs of the organization and the workings of it.”

The president of the SPCA’s board of directors, Joleen McCullagh, said Young should fit right in at the organization, since he has experience with non-profits and animals.

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“He has several years of non-profit experience, he was the general manager for the Prince Albert Exhibition [Association],” she said. “He’s [also] been raising and breeding Springer Spaniels in his own family for 35 years and he grew up actually in a family that had a love of animals.”

Young’s love of animals is one trait he feels will benefit the SPCA.

“I’ve always been an animal guy, I have pets of my own, always have,” Young said. He “grew up with all sorts of varieties of animals … every[thing] from dogs and cats to skunks and chameleons, fish and birds.”

McCullagh said Young’s passion for animals was pretty clear when the SPCA first worked with him when he was with the Prince Albert Exhibition Association.

“The SPCA worked with the Exhibition Centre every year regarding the annual garage sale and he was always very supportive of that event and helpful with that event,” she said.

Young said he has a lot to learn as the executive director, but he is up for the challenge.

“It’s something that I’m interested in and I always have had a love of animals and I believe that the SPCA is a superb organization that will go places.”

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1