New executive director shares future plans for Southeast Missouri Pets

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)- Southeast Missouri Pets has a new executive director calling the shots.

Jenn Farmer envisions a community where every animal has a safe and loving home.

“It’s only been about three to four weeks but we’re looking at having our website recreated. We hired a new volunteer coordinator, which has been outstanding, and a new development director who’s coming to help us out,” said an exuberant Farmer.

Farmer has a background in education, a strong love for animals, and previously volunteered her time at the pet shelter.

“She would come work with us on weekends, and even take laundry home as a volunteer,” said Charlotte Craig, president of the Southeast Missouri Pets board of directors.

This kind of dedication led Farmer to the position of volunteer coordinator.

“She immediately came to mind because she was one of our best volunteers ever and she actually quit her teaching job in Perryville in order to take the job,” Craig said of Farmer.

Southeast Missouri Pets received a new home last year, and the majority of the funds came from raising more than $2 million.

“We had COVID, and in the middle of COVID we were still able to raise three million dollars. We still need another million on this building,” said Craig.

With the new building, the number of volunteers increased immensely and so did the adoptions: music to the animals’ ears.

“Our adoptions are very much increased. But so is our intake. We um, it seems like the more room you have, the more people need you,” said Craig.

An independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of pets and people in southeast Missouri.

The care Southeast Missouri Pets provides helps support and keep more than two thousand animals off the street each year.

If you are interested in adopting the next member of the family, visit www.semopets.org.