The Association Blog

“One of my first goals as I settled into my current role was to increase adult dog adoptions,” says Monmouth County SPCA’s Director of Operations. Read on to learn how she crushed that goal, and then some.

Name & Title: Amy Richard, Director of Operations
Organization: Monmouth County SPCA

The Association: Describe yourself in three words.
Amy Richard: Loyal, Grounded, Firm.

The Association: Describe your organization in three words.
Amy Richard: Evolving, Dedicated, Trusted.

The Association: How did you get started in animal welfare, and how did you land in the role you are today?
Amy Richard: I was the kind of kid everyone assumed would grow up to be a veterinarian. I was always surrounded by animals, and if there weren’t any nearby, I found ways to seek them out.

That lifelong pull toward animals led me to my first role in animal welfare in the early 2000s at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as an Animal Care and Adoption Counselor. During my seven years there, I wore many hats and gained experience across multiple areas of shelter operations. One of my favorite roles was coordinating the Spay Neuter Assistance Program, which deepened my appreciation for how much community programs can impact animal welfare. My time there was formative, not only professionally, but personally as I worked alongside many inspiring people, several of whom I remain close with today.

In 2017, after spending a couple of years in the private animal medical field, my family and I relocated to New Jersey to raise our son around our extended family, who all lived in that area. With a goal of returning to animal welfare, my research for my next role led me to Monmouth County SPCA, where I have held several different positions including my current role as Director of Operations.

The Association: What skills and experience prepared you for this role?
Amy Richard: While much of my background is rooted in veterinary medicine, I have always been drawn to the broader picture of animal welfare, particularly operations, systems, and how organizations function as a whole. I enjoy problem-solving, collaborating, and improving processes to better support both staff and animals. After six years with the MCSPCA, I was given the opportunity to step into the role of Operations Manager, which ultimately led to my current position. When people ask if I enjoy my role as Director of Operations, I always say yes. And more specifically, if I were asked to design a dream role that fulfills me and fully utilizes my skills, this would be it!

The Association: Considering your career so far, what achievement are you most proud of?
Amy Richard: One of the achievements that I am most proud of is leading a shift in our shelter operations that significantly increased adult dog adoptions while maintaining strong placement outcomes. When I initially settled into my current role, one of my first goals was to increase adult canine adoptions and position our organization as a first choice for pet adopters in the community. By reviewing feedback on our existing adoption processes and researching best practices across the field, I identified the Adopters Welcome model as a strong fit for our organization.

Working collaboratively with our teams, I helped guide the implementation of new policies that removed unnecessary barriers to adoption while emphasizing trust, transparency, and nonjudgmental conversations with potential adopters. A key part of this work was ensuring that staff felt supported through change; creating a space for learning, mentorship, and building confidence as protocols evolved.

As a result, in conjunction with some exciting new adoption promotions, we increased adult dog adoption rates by 26% while maintaining a return rate of just 2%. For me this success reflects not only improved outcomes for animals, but also the culture that we built: one where staff feel safe adapting to change, supported in their decision-making, and empowered to approach each adoption with the goal of finding thoughtful ways to say “yes.”

The Association: What is your next goal or milestone?
Amy Richard: My next professional goal is to continue strengthening a positive, resilient organizational culture, one where staff feel safe, supported, and confident as our processes evolve. Building on the work we’ve done to support teams through change, I am focused on ensuring that our departmental leaders are empowered, empathetic, and well equipped to lead thoughtfully and collaboratively. That means investing in leadership development, encouraging open communication across departments, and reinforcing a shared sense of accountability and trust.

The Association: Throughout your career, you have encountered many animals and their humans. Who will you always remember?
Amy Richard: That’s a difficult question because so many animals and people have left a lasting impression on me. But the first who came to mind is an elderly Golden Retriever named Buddy.

Buddy was surrendered to the shelter where I worked in Massachusetts after his family could no longer care for him. He was suffering from osteosarcoma and had a large tumor on his face, along with some of the most unmistakable “Frito”-smelling skin I’ve ever encountered. Despite his poor prognosis, and itchy skin, he greeted every day with the goofiest doggie grin I had ever seen. I was fortunate to bring him home as a hospice foster, and for the final two months of his life he became part of our family. It was heartbreaking to know our time together would be so short. Bringing Buddy home remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He remains a powerful reminder that the value of giving an animal love, comfort, and dignity isn’t measured by how much time you have together, but by the quality of that time.

The Association: When you’re not at work, how do you like to recharge?
Amy Richard: I live in an area with beautiful beaches, so during the warmer months I spend as much of my free time as possible at the beach or relaxing by our pool. I also love horseback riding and have started riding regularly again. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it, or how effective it is at helping me reset and recharge. There’s something about being around horses that settles my mind.

The Association: What’s the last book you read or movie you saw?
Amy Richard: I recently took my son to see Project Hail Mary, and I can honestly say it was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Now I’m excited to read the book and see how it compares.

The Association: Words to live by?
Amy Richard: Create trust, lead with compassion, clarity and honesty, and do the right thing even when it is hard.

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