The Outer Banks SPCA’s Board of Directors announced Wednesday the hire of Chrissea Rothrock as the new Director of Shelter Operations. Rothrock, who has served as interim director since May 2019, officially began her role on March 1.
The Outer Banks SPCA’s mission is to be a community resource dedicated to rescue, adoption, assistance and education. Rothrock and her team of hardworking and compassionate animal shelter staff promote innovative animal welfare, cultivate a responsible and humane community, and find homes for all of the adoptable animals that come under their care.
With over 10 years of employment at the Outer Banks SPCA, Rothrock’s dedication to the animals and animal-owning families of the Outer Banks will certainly be an asset to the organization in her new role as director of operations. Rothrock possesses extensive knowledge of North Carolina animal welfare law, Dare County ordinances, and community needs that she has witnessed first-hand.
Over the years, Rothrock has served the Outer Banks SPCA in a variety of ways, working as an animal control officer from 2009 until she was promoted to field supervisor in 2011.
She has collaborated with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office and the Dare County Commissioners on animal welfare ordinances for the county. The purpose of these ordinances is to encourage and enforce humane treatment of animals.
“These ordinances enable us to determine the best solution for the animals involved. Sometimes that means helping families find resources they need to properly care for their animals and sometimes that means housing those animals at the shelter and giving them a fresh start. Each situation is unique, and so is each animal,” says Rothrock.
Rothrock’s accomplishments at the Outer Banks SPCA have also included spearheading low-cost rabies clinics, conducting cruelty investigations, responding to animal emergency calls around the clock, assisting with adoption events, and helping to care for the animals at the shelter as they wait to meet their forever families. Rothrock has completed some Basic Law Enforcement Training courses and holds rabies and animal cruelty certifications.
The Outer Banks SPCA is also slated to break ground on a brand new facility in this spring.
“It’s a very exciting time for our organization and I am happy to be involved. Our team of shelter and administrative staff and animal control officers all work together to provide the best care and the best outcome for the animals. We are all very grateful for our volunteers, donors, and adopters; their support enables us to continue our mission.”
The Outer Banks SPCA is governed by a Board of Directors and is also welcoming three new board members – Laurie Amatucci, Amy Seyler and Mark Strausbaugh to join Bobbie Stager (Board President), Janie Walters (Vice-President), Laura Twichell (Secretary) & Tracey Swain (Treasurer).
“The board is very confident in Chrissea’s ability to take the Outer Banks SPCA to the next level and to continue to be our communities’ resource to promote innovative animal welfare. I am also encouraged with the addition of three new board members to bring in new ideas and energy that will make this non-profit bigger and better in the future” says Bobbie Stager, Board President.
Approximately 2,000 dogs and cats enter the Outer Banks SPCA each year, along with a few rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. As an open-admission shelter, the organization takes in every Dare County animal that they receive, regardless of health or temperament. Some animals are surrendered by their owners, some are found stray, and in some cases, the shelter intakes animals that have been abused or neglected.
The Outer Banks SPCA’s staff and volunteers provide optimal care for these animals and work incessantly to ensure that every adoptable animal is placed in their forever home. Who doesn’t love a happy ending?