Wayside Waifs President Announces Retirement

KANSAS CITY – Wayside Waifs President Patti Glass has announced her retirement after more than six years at the helm of the Kansas City area’s largest pet adoption center.

A comprehensive search is underway to find Glass’ successor. Wayside Waifs is seeking applications from both internal and external candidates. Glass will remain with Wayside Waifs until the Board of Directors names her replacement.

“I am so proud to have had the privilege of being part of Wayside Waifs. It is truly an extraordinary organization that saves lives and gives homeless, abandoned, and abused animals a second chance,” said Glass. “All of the Board members and staff members share such a deep commitment to the cause and to making Wayside all that it can be for the animals and the people who need us. Together, we have built Wayside into the strong, vital organization that it is today. I feel very fortunate to be able to end my career with such an organization.”

Through Glass’ direction, Wayside Waifs has doubled the number of annual animal adoptions, and vastly improved the quality of animal care. The organization is now recognized nationally as one of the country’s premier “no kill” animal shelters.

“Under Patti’s leadership, Wayside has been transformed to a financially solid no-kill shelter which has steadily increased its adoptions to currently over 5,000 per year. Her active role with the animal welfare community will be a loss for not only Wayside, but the community at large,” said Sandy Johnson, chairperson of the Wayside Waifs Board of Directors. “However, the Board of Directors feels confident that because of her vision and dedication, and the work of a team of talented managers, staff, and volunteers, we are in a strong position to meet the next generation of challenges.”

One of Glass’ greatest accomplishments is creating and growing the organization’s board restricted fund which will provide support for Wayside Waifs in perpetuity. Due to Glass’ steadfast leadership and the generosity of its donors, Wayside Waifs’ is on solid financial ground, and has been able to weather the financial storms of 2008 and 2009. Wayside Waifs stands poised for future growth and development.

“I have worked with Patti Glass since she joined Wayside Waifs. It has been a pleasure to work with a person with such integrity and talent. Patti has devoted all her time and efforts to make Wayside Waifs the institution it is today. We will truly miss her and wish her well,” said Harold Melcher, Chairman Emeritus of Wayside Waifs Board of Directors.

Over the last six years, numerous innovative programs at Wayside Waifs have grown and flourished. The Wayside Waifs volunteer program has become one of the most popular in Kansas City. The foster care program is also thriving, enabling Wayside Waifs to provide personalized in-home care to hundreds of animals before they are available for adoption.

During Glass’ tenure, Wayside Waifs also began the “No More Bullies” humane education program. Thousands of metro students participate in the anti-violence program every year, learning to respect the rights of others, including pets.

Glass was also instrumental in developing Wayside Waifs’ website, www.waysidewaifs.org. It’s now the organization’s most powerful marketing tool, and most effective way to showcase hundreds of adoptable animals. Glass also quickly recognized the power of social media, enabling Wayside Waifs to be on the cutting edge of the social media revolution with nearly 4,000 Facebook fans and 2,500 Twitter followers.

The expansion of Wayside Waifs’ Pet Memorial Services is also attributed to Glass’ leadership. The organization recently began a targeted marketing campaign to raise awareness about the burial and cremation services available for pet owners. The cemetery is now the largest pet cemetery in the U.S. with over 12,000 animals interred in the memorial garden.

Glass states she’s also proud of her work building coalitions within Kansas City’s animal welfare community with a goal of providing better care for the animals and enhanced services to the public.

When asked of her future plans, Glass stated she’s now ready for a new chapter in her life. She plans to travel and spend time with her family. But Glass won’t be a stranger to Wayside Waifs. She’s already made plans to become a Wayside volunteer.

About Wayside Waifs
Wayside Waifs is the oldest and largest animal shelter in the Kansas City area. Wayside Waifs cares for more than 7,000 abused, abandoned and homeless animals every year. Currently, the shelter is at capacity with more than 400 animals looking for loving homes.

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