The Humane Society of Catawba County has a new top dog, and plenty of Hickory residents are not wagging their tails about it. The board has hired Doug Rae as its next executive director, with an April 20 start date, after ousting longtime leader Jane Bowers last year. Dozens of neighbors, volunteers and former employees say Rae's track record at other shelters has them worried.
Hire sparks immediate backlash
The board announced Rae's hiring and his April 20 start date, as reported by The Charlotte Observer. The outlet noted that nearly 80 residents had already signed a petition urging the board to reverse course, even as board members told supporters they had conducted a thorough vetting process.
The decision comes on the heels of last summer's probe into former executive director Jane Bowers and her subsequent termination, which were reported by WBTV. That shakeup left the shelter in flux and has residents watching this next chapter closely.
Board invites residents to meet-and-greets
In a post on the shelter's website, the board invited the public to two meet-and-greets where residents can speak directly with Rae and with board members, according to the Humane Society of Catawba County. The announcement lists March 13 and March 14 sessions at the Hickory shelter and urges the community to come into this new era with "openness, goodwill."
The board says it remains focused on the day-to-day care of the animals while leadership changes play out. The message, in essence: come talk to us, but do not lose sight of the pets in the kennels.
Questions about his record
Rae's past work at other shelters is fueling much of the local pushback. Volunteers and former staffers point to reporting and investigations in Colorado and Indiana that raised concerns during his prior tenures. A 2019 state inspection at the Canon City shelter found sanitation and medicine-storage violations along with other operational lapses, and he served a brief eight-month stint running Indianapolis' animal control in 2009. Those findings and on-the-record complaints were detailed by WRTV.
Supporters point to awards and a no-kill record
Rae's defenders counter that his career has not been all controversy. They highlight his decade at the Humane Society of Fremont County, where the organization cites national recognition, including the Henry Bergh Achievement Award, and high save rates under his leadership, according to the Fremont shelter's site. Those accolades are held up in local profiles as proof of a hard push to save animal lives.
Rae has said he plans to hold listening sessions during his first 90 days on the job and has asked Hickory residents to "just give me a chance," a plea reported by The Charlotte Observer.
What comes next
HSCC says it will keep posting updates as Rae settles in and that he will spend his first three months listening to staff, volunteers and the public to map out any needed changes, according to the shelter's announcements. Community organizers say they plan to show up at the March meet-and-greets and keep the pressure on the board for transparent policies and some form of independent oversight.
For now, both critics and supporters insist they want the same ultimate result: healthier animals and a shelter Hickory can trust.
