SALISBURY- Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary (FFAS) has hired its first Operations Manager, Shelley Swaim, of Advance, North Carolina.

FFAS's arduous search for their first Operations Manager ended after interviewing Swaim. Her vast experience, expertise, and passion for animals made her the ideal candidate. Whether volunteering with American Humane Association, Pet Smart Charities, or disaster relief efforts, Swaim's drive to keep animals safe, secure, and treated humanely is incomparable.

Swaim, who will assume the Operations Manager position in March, has devoted more than twenty-five years of her life to animal welfare either working for the state, volunteering for human societies and no-kill shelters, or attending to animals in disaster relief operations.

She previously worked as an Animal Health Technician with the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services where her duties included monitoring animal shelters, boarding kennels, and pet shops for state-mandated adequacy. Swaim also performed investigations and served notices to those in violation of administrative codes covering animal disease control, dealer practices, and animal welfare issues ensuring humane care by regulating transportation, sale, purchase, housing, care handling, and treatment of dogs and cats by persons or organizations.

Swaim was a lead investigator or a co-investigator involved in uncovering horrible conditions of boarding facilities in Rockingham, Lincoln, and Davie Counties. She has served as an expert witness in animal cruelty cases resulting in guilty verdicts.

Swaim has a keen acumen of the policies and procedures ensuring animal welfare. Besides her several years of experience with the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Swaim is a graduate of Murray State College with a degree in Animal Health Technology, a Certified Abuse Investigator, and a Licensed Equine Appraiser. Swaim has also completed animal disaster training with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is a member of the N.C. Veterinary Response Corps.

Swaim has had extensive training in man-made and natural distaste relief as well as advanced regional shelter training, and has extensive experience volunteering with several non-governmental animal welfare organizations.

Swaim has volunteered with disaster deployments with American Humane Association and Humane Society of the United States. She was key in the set up of the first co-location center for disaster relief during Hurricane Gustav.

Swaim's passion for animals extends to her home as well. Swaim is the owner and operator of Riverview Farms, specializing in American Paint horses. Swaim owns three dogs (rescued from shelters and puppy mills), four mules, two horses, 11 chickens and one cat (the total number is debatable since she often is fostering several dogs and cats as well).

Besides caring for her farm, her animals, and volunteering, Swaim feels that half of her heart is overseas as her son, Lance Cpl. John Benton Stewart, is an infantryman who is deployed and serving in Afghanistan with the 1^st Battalion 9^th Marines. Swaim also has adopted several Marine sons that come to her home on weekends and holidays because they live far from their own homes. Her adopted Marines even call her kitchen the "chow hall."

Swaim is excited about joining the FFAS family and is ready to meet the challenges of opening the new sanctuary. The FFAS Board is pleased to have found Swaim, who will bring her expertise to Rowan County.

Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary (FFAS) is an animal rescue group formed for the sole purpose of starting an animal sanctuary in Rowan County. FFAS's vision is to have a safe place for abused and abandoned dogs and cats, while providing health care, spaying/neutering, protection, warmth, care, and love while awaiting adoption.

The Grand Opening of the FFAS is forthcoming. Visit the FFAS website for the latest information at www.faithfulfriendsnc.org.

     or