By Mary Kathryn Carpenter

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Sarah Wees is just the first of many new things to come for the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.

Wees began working as the NACHS’s Director of Operations in March and is the shelter’s first full-time, professional shelter director.

When the NACHS went looking for a director, they were looking for someone with experience and a love of animals.

NACHS President Kathy Fitch said Wees fills the position in every way.

“We wanted someone who was really in this for the right reason,” Fitch said. “(Wees) has got good experience and she is a compassionate person. She is trying to do what is good for the animals.”

In her two months here, Finch said Wees has already started to improve systems at the shelter.

“She’s already made improvements in intake and the way it is handled,” Finch said. “She’s really improved customer service.”

Wees said her next project is to improve and expand the volunteer program set up with the shelter.

Despite all the work, Wees is still making time for fond memories.

“When I got here there was a dog who had been adopted and brought back,” Wees said. “He was a high energy dog and really needed room and we talked about putting him on one of the transport trucks and all sorts of things. He was here for a while, but the tough part was the fact that he had been adopted and brought back. But then, the person he was meant to be with walked in the door. The staff was all really excited for him to get a home.”

Wees hopes once the shelter moves into its new building, there will be many more memories.

A firm date for the move-in has not been set yet, but Fitch said she hopes it will be sometime between mid-June and early July.

Wees is excited for all the upgrades the new building offers animals and customers of the shelter.

“It will hold more animals and hold them differently,” Wees said. “It will be more adequate housing that will be better for the animals and the staff.”