- December 16, 2025
Under the leadership of a mostly new board, the Flagler Humane Society has rewritten its strategic plan in hopes of streamlining processes.
Streamlining — that’s a word you will hear often in a sit-down with Flagler Humane Society board members Nicole Brose and Christina Franzen.
Through the “Plan Alive” initiative, the society as we know it is going to change, they say, beginning with a more aggressive adoption/fostering model to ensure that no animal is ever again euthanized due to space or resource constraints.
Officials hope to achieve this through partnerships with local rescues and veterinary clinics, as well as more specialized volunteer positions and a smaller staff.
“There are a lot of policies and procedures that need to be streamlined,” Franzen said, including spay and neuter procedures being completed in a shorter time frame. The adoption process needs to be simplified. The Humane Society has to become more transparent. Marketing needs to be improved.
Brose said the board is focusing on reorganization before bringing in a new executive director (former director Jef Hale was fired in February). Once its strategic plan is finalized, the board hopes to hand it over to a director within three months.
“We have analyzed every process, from animal intake to adoption, and absolutely everything in between,” Brose said. “There’s really nothing that’s off the table.”
And apparently the retooling looks good to former volunteers, such as dog trainer Arlene Monahan-Cheyne.
“I … decided to leave (the Humane Society) last year,” she said. “(But) I am now back and happy with what I see happening — true, hands-on, collaborative teamwork.”
Because of the organization’s strict hours and lack of weekend service in the past, Brose added, it was almost impossible for working people and out-of-county residents to visit the society for adoptions — especially considering the multiple visits and consultations required. Even at off-site adoption events, residents were unable to actually adopt the day they found the right pet.
But by dedicating one employee to adoption consultations and another to rescue coordination, these problems will be fixed and fewer animals will be returned, she said.
“As a shelter, we’re nothing if we’re not adopting animals into forever homes.” Franzen added.
“We need the community to think of us first (for adoptions),” Brose said. “Right now, they’re probably thinking of every other avenue, and thinking of us last.”
By connecting with private rescues — like S.A.F.E Pet Rescue of St. Augustine, Second Chance Rescue of Bunnell and about a dozen others — the board also hopes to promote fostering and alleviate overcrowding.
Last year, about 10% of all animals brought to the Humane Society were transferred to partner facilities, a percentage the board hopes to increase in 2012.
Staff has been reduced, as well, including the society’s in-house veterinarian, whose services have been replaced by the Flagler Animal Hospital, Shelton Veterinarian Clinic and First Coast No More Homeless Pets. During the transition, these organizations have donated services while the Humane Society seeks partnerships for low-cost medical work.
“Even though there are fewer people now, we’re working more efficiently,” Brose said, citing even minor technical advancements, like a soon-to-be-installed, less expensive phone system and a stronger online presence.
In the past, if a resident lost a dog over the weekend, he would have to wait until at least Tuesday to be reunited. But the new system will have a more accessible voice mail box, as well as an emergency line that connects to workers’ phones and email.
The board also hopes to build better relations with Palm Coast officials regarding Animal Control policies.
“It’s still only a month into this, of scaling back and moving forward,” Brose said, “so specific numbers for cost-savings are pending. We’re financially rebuilding and getting on our feet.”
Still, rebuilding is impossible without community support.
“In a community this size, we could do better,” Brose said, adding that monetary donations are critical to the society’s success. “We’ve tried to do this alone, but we can’t. We have to have everyone’s support. There are too many animals in need.”
With a relatively new board in place — only three of the current members have been involved for more than a year — Brose and Franzen are confident that the Humane Society will accomplish its goals.
“We have a lot of changes (and) a lot more to make,” Brose added. “But we really want to share that good things are happening, and that we’re listening to people. We don’t want to keep looking back. We want to start looking forward.”
DOD WALKERS
A Flagler Humane Society benefit walk will occur 9 a.m. Saturday, April 14, starting at the Palm Coast Community Center. There will be vendors, a dog show, raffles and entertainment by Paradize.
One-time and recurring monetary donations can also be made in person or online, at www.FlaglerHumaneSociety.org.
HIGH SOCIETY
The 2011-2012 Flagler Human Society Board of Directors is as follows:
Dr. Robert Tate
Tom McKean
Christina Franzen
Dave Zaslavsky
Nicole Brose
Diane Voigt
Questions can be sent to [email protected], or called in, at 931-1334.
To apply for a volunteer position or the executive director position, send resumes to [email protected].
