Hampshire SPCA, CEO

MISSION

The mission of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) is to save the lives of companion animals through rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption; to promote learning, eliminate animal cruelty and be a leader in advancing the highest standards of animal welfare.

The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) is dedicated to creating a safe and loving home for every animal. Guided by a mission to save the lives of companion animals through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, education, and advocacy, the NHSPCA has been a leader in advancing the highest standards of animal welfare for more than 150 years.

With a $4.5M budget, NHSPCA is comprised of a dedicated twelve-member board of directors, staff of more than 56 including 39 full-time staff and 700 dedicated volunteers. The organization has significantly expanded staff, facilities, budget, and lifesaving outcomes, including growing animal transfer, under the direction of CEO Lisa Dennison who led the organization for 32 years. Lisa’s leadership promoted innovation, collaboration, and retention, as many employees have been with the organization for over 10 years.

Direct reports to the CEO include Senior Vice President of Philanthropy, Vice President of Finance and Human Resources, Vice President of Operations and Programs, Vice President of Animal and Veterinary Services, and three staff in the Animal Protection division.

As an open admission, unlimited-stay organization, the NHSPCA welcomes nearly 3,000 companion and farm animals. With a proactive adoption program, counselors work to minimize owned-animal surrender by providing a range of resources including a pet-food pantry, low-cost veterinary care, and emergency temporary boarding. Every animal receives individualized care, including medical treatment, nutritious food, and the time needed to find the best possible permanent home.

The organization remains committed to ethical, professional, and compassionate practices while stewarding donor resources responsibly as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that relies on private donations and service fees.

Beyond adoption services, the NHSPCA strengthens the human-animal bond through robust educational programming, training, and community outreach. The behavior and training programs use positive-reinforcement methods to help pets and their families build strong, lasting relationships. Humane Education programs directly reach more than 2,256 children annually, fostering compassion, kindness, and respect for all living beings while empowering participants to help create a more humane community.

Animal cruelty prevention has been central to the NHSPCA’s work since 1872. Today, the organization responds to 600–800 cruelty and neglect complaints each year and collaborates with other agencies to strengthen and enforce animal protection laws across New Hampshire. Through advocacy, education, and direct care, the NHSPCA serves as a trusted community resource and a voice for animals who cannot speak for themselves, always striving to meet evolving community needs and extend its impact in service of animal welfare.

The next President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Hampshire SPCA has a rare opportunity to lead a highly respected, stable, progressive, mission-driven organization with deep community trust, a strong operational foundation, and a 150-year legacy of impact—while shaping its next era of growth and innovation in animal welfare.

NHSPCA recently completed a $9.2M capital campaign that expanded the campus, enhanced facilities, and strengthened the endowment to support long-term financial stability. This role presents an opportunity to fully leverage a transformed physical campus—including expanded classrooms, a state-of-the-art Veterinary Center serving both shelter and owned animals, and enhanced farm and equine facilities with a year-round training and rehabilitation arena. The focus now is on maximizing these assets to drive program excellence, expand community reach, and increase lifesaving outcomes for animals statewide.

An area of opportunity is to continue to…