Oakland Veteran of Animal Welfare Steps Down

The East Bay’s oldest animal welfare organization changes leadership after 19 years.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) May 6, 2006 -- Gary Templin, leader for the past 19 years of the East Bay’s oldest animal welfare organization, the East Bay SPCA, is stepping down effective July 1, 2006. Templin was hired by the organization in 1987, known then only as the Oakland SPCA, to oversee what was a troubled non-profit floundering after several years of turmoil.

Templin notified the Board of Directors in the fall of 2005 of his intentions, and a nationwide search for a successor has just been completed. Allison Lindquist, most recently Assistant Director of the Oakland Zoo, will be taking over on May 8. Her title will be Executive Director of the East Bay SPCA.

Templin engineered the growth of the Oakland SPCA from one modest building on Baldwin Street off of Hegenberger Road, to that of two beautiful adoption centers and three clinics across the county. Templin was the first to envision a larger, people-friendly place to showcase animals. His concept, an adoption center that was a beautiful place for people as well as pets, was new at the time, but has since been adopted by most newer shelters like the San Francisco SPCA and Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. With no government assistance, Templin secured the funds to build the region’s first high-volume spay and neuter surgery center, successfully impacting the overpopulation of dogs and cats in our community. The East Bay SPCA Spay and Neuter Surgery Clinics have performed over 70,000 surgeries and is recognized nationally as a leader in expert care for spay and neuter clients.

“I step down with pride knowing that we have successfully collaborated with the community to address the problem of homeless dogs and cats,” said Templin. “There is more work to be done, indeed some of the most difficult challenges lay ahead when you consider the pit bull and feral cat populations, but I am confident that Ms. Lindquist’s energy and talents indicate a bright future filled with creative solutions.”

The East Bay SPCA includes two shelters and three clinics in Alameda County, including the Oakland SPCA and the Tri-Valley SPCA in Dublin. Founded in 1874, the East Bay SPCA is dedicated to ending the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in our community. The East Bay SPCA is a non-profit organization and receives no government funding or funding from any national humane organization. For more information, visit www.eastbayspca.org.

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