Talk Story: Penny Cistaro, Executive Director of the Kaua‘i Humane Society

First, please tell our readers a little about yourself and your experience working in animal welfare.

Penny Cistaro: I started working at an animal shelter in Chicago in 1974 as an animal care technician and fell in love with the work. The ability to work with homeless animals and make a difference in their lives was very appealing to me.

Being able to go to work each day and be with animals, taking care of them, was the perfect fit. I was lucky to find work that I loved and I stayed with it. I have worked in a number of shelters across the country in various positions, including an animal care technician, field officer, director of operations and executive director.

I worked at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as the director of shelters for the seven shelters they had across the state. I was also an executive director for the Whatcom Humane Society for over eight years in Washington state. I have worked in small communities and large cities, so I have a very broad base of experience that transfers well to Kaua‘i. I have worked as a consultant with the Humane Society of the United States and I am a nationally-recognized trainer for various shelter programs.

When did you first discover your passion for animals?

PC: As a child I was blessed to grow up in an environment where there were animals. Dogs and cats were part of the family and my mom was the perfect role model for me, teaching me kindness, compassion and how to bring home stray animals.

How are you settling in to your new position as the executive director of the Kaua‘i Humane Society?

PC: I am settling in well, learning the operations, the island and the community. Everyone is welcoming, gracious and helpful. I just need to find a house to rent that will take me, the dog and two cats. Once I find that I will truly be settled.

Are there any specific changes you would like to see made at KHS? What new things are you bringing to the table?

PC: It is a little early to state specific changes, as I am still learning the operations. I do know that we will be expanding our outreach into the community and developing programs that will benefit the public and their animals.

Programs that will assist people with keeping their animal rather than surrendering them to the shelter. We are discussing additional volunteer positions and increasing our funding for spay and neuter surgeries through targeted grant programs.

We have hired a development manager to focus attention on fundraising so that we can increase our resources and, in turn, increase our programs to provide for the community and their animals.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing KHS today?

PC: The biggest challenges are the number of animals we are receiving, increasing our leave live rate, providing additional spay and neuter services through targeted programs and increasing our financial resources.

I understand that KHS has been named as a finalist for HeARTs Speak’s National Perfect Exposure Project. Can you talk a little bit about the project and what winning it would mean for the shelter?

PC: HeARTs Speak is a project that focuses on showcasing photographs of shelter animals that capture their unique personality and beautiful or handsome features.

This would provide photography equipment to the shelter so that we could take a higher level of pictures for our website.

What is one thing most people don’t know about KHS that you think they should?

PC: What most shelters struggle with — the depth of our programs, how much we can help people and their animals and that we have absolutely awesome animals needing a permanent, responsible and loving home.

When not working, how do you like to spend your time?

PC: I am an avid distance runner with my dog and thoroughly enjoy reading, hiking, cooking and watching the waves roll in and out.

For more information about the Kaua‘i Humane Society visit its website at www.kauaihumane.org.