Welcome Ellen Thacker, Executive Director

Newport News, VA- The Peninsula SPCA welcomes new Executive Director, Ellen Clark Thacker.  Ellen joined the Peninsula SPCA team in November and is very excited to direct the SPCA in a continued progressive direction in becoming an adoption-guarantee organization. 

“My first priority is to save animal lives by finding additional options and resources for the homeless pets of our community,” said Thacker. “By establishing ourselves as an adoption-guarantee organization, we will find new ways to partner with our local municipal animal control groups and expand options for rescuing adoptable animals on the Peninsula.”

With a successful work history consisting primarily of private sector business experience, Ellen decided it was time for a change. She followed her passion for animal welfare and became the Executive Director for the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society in 2008. There she helped to increase adoption rates, attain no-kill status for the shelter’s canine population, and implemented a 100% pre-adoption spay/neuter policy for all animals adopted from the Gloucester-Mathews-Middlesex Animal Shelter.

“I wanted to join the Peninsula SPCA to be a part of their transition to adoption-guarantee,” said Thacker. “This is a tremendously important step for our shelter and its animals, and will need the full support our community. We are thrilled with the opportunities that this transition will bring.”

Pictured with Ellen is Ginger.  She is a year old and available for adoption.  Ginger is a very sweet and a playful young pit bill mix.  Being a young canine, she would thrive as a part of an active family and would love to be someone’s personal trainer.  She is nervous around other dogs and cats, so she would flourish as the only pet in the house.  But don’t worry she has more than enough love to give every family member.  She even gives hugs!  Like all animals adopted from the Peninsula SPCA, Ginger has been spayed, microchipped and vaccinated.  Come take Ginger home in time for the holidays because all she wants for Christmas is you!