PIERCETON — The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County recently announced the hiring of a new executive director.

Sally Scott officially stepped into the role on Dec. 26. She graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne with a major in visual communication and design.

Scott has also worked at the AWL for the past three years, but her work for the animal shelter first began when she volunteered at the shelter after she graduated from high school.

During her time with the AWL, Scott has helped the shelter with its social media and marketing. She’s also worked as a kennel tech and shelter coordinator.

She replaces Katey Wilks Zemen, who recently resigned after less than two years in the position.

Scott’s promotion comes just months after AWL moved into its new facility off CR 325E, but the non-profit group still needs to come up with nearly $800,000 to cover remaining construction costs.

Even though she’s been in her new position for a little over a week, Scott has really enjoyed beginning to put plans in place for having the shelter help as many animals as possible.

“I have some ideas for some volunteer programs and also planning some really big events for the community to help bring in fundraising,” said Scott. “I’d like to expand our volunteer program to include education for people that might be interested in fostering pets, like newborn kittens or sick and injured animals. In those situations, those pets would do better in a home environment where they have someone there all the time.”

Scott encourages anyone who’s interested in becoming a volunteer  to visit the shelter at 1048 South CR 325E, Pierceton, and fill out a volunteer application.

The shelter’s next volunteer orientation is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, on-site at the shelter.

“This year, I feel there are going to be a lot of changes but I feel it’s all for the better,” said Scott. “I want people to know that my heart is in this place. It’s unlike any job I’ve ever had before. When you’re working in this type of environment, you have a chance to see not only the worst of people when we have neglect or abuse cases, but also the very best of people that step up and either make donations or just coming in to work with our animals.”