COLUMBIA, MO -- The executive director of the Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia has resigned and a temporary replacement has been chosen.

The CMHS Board of Directors says Patty Forister resigned. She has been with the shelter since 2005 and oversaw this year's Zootoo.com fundraiser which began a renovation process. The shelter recently drew criticism for how it was run.

Forister plead for additional funding for municipal shelter services to the Columbia City Council in September. She said the shelter might not have been able to operate without it.

Veterinarian Alan Allert has been named as the interim executive director while the board looks for a permanent leader.

See the full release from the board below.

Statement From the Board of Directors of the Central Missouri Humane Society

November 19, 2009

        The Board of Directors of the Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS) has announced new leadership for the society. Alan Allert, D.V.M., has been named interim executive director for CMHS while the board initiates a national search for a permanent leader.  

        “As we search for an executive director, we will of course identify candidates who share our primary concern and passion for the welfare of the thousands of unwanted animals that find their way to our door,” said board president Maria Furey. “We also will emphasize skills in strategic planning, building community awareness and support, major gift fundraising, volunteer leadership, grant writing, and human resource management.”

        The role of executive director has been filled since 2005 by Patty Forister who has resigned her position. “The board is grateful to Patty for her management of the shelter  and for the intense devotion she has demonstrated as a very knowledgeable advocate for the animals in our care,” Furey said. “Our aging facility and increasing unwanted pet population have presented many challenges, and she has always faced them head-on.” 

        Allert, whose interim appointment is effective Tuesday, Nov. 24, previously served as the Veterinary Medical Officer for the Columbia Environmental Resource Center (CERC), an environmental science research facility of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Prior to that he was a research physiologist with CERC. Allert holds bachelor’s and D.V.M. degrees from Texas A&M University. Following graduation he served as a staff veterinarian in small and mixed animal private practices. He began his academic career at Texas A&M where he was assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology. He joined the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 in the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. Allert was the recipient of numerous teaching awards throughout his career in education. He moved to the USGS in 1998 and worked there until 2005. Since then, he has been a private consultant to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service working on health issues in endangered species. 

        “I am pleased to provide interim leadership for CMHS as the board moves forward with the Zootoo shelter renovation project, strategic planning and other important initiatives,” Allert said. “I know there is a very hard working and experienced staff at the shelter, as well as dedicated foster care and volunteer networks plus a Friends for the Animals fundraising group. I look forward to working with all these strong supporters.”

        CMHS is a private, not-for-profit organization that operates an open door shelter that welcomes dogs, cats and other animals with the goal of providing humane care and forever homes. Members of the governing board are:  Maria Furey, president; James Loveless, vice president; Sherry Waddill, treasurer; Linda Hutton, secretary; Ann Korschgen, Chris Koukola, Genie Rogers and John Shrum.