Melissa Gundlach to run Humane Society

SANDUSKY — The new executive director of the Erie County Humane Society loves dogs and cats and has even forged relationships with local eagles. Melissa Gundlach also is well known to local animal lovers after serving as a veterinary technician at the humane society since March 2016. Gundlach takes over for Barbara Hargreaves, who retired at the end of June. The humane society board had groomed Gundlach as Hargreaves' successor and announced the appointment Thursday after reaching a one-year contract with Gundlach. Gundlach has two rescue dogs at home and also has worked for Back to the Wild, African Safari Wildlife Park and a local veterinary practice. She said when she came to the humane society, she discovered she enjoyed helping animals find homes. "We want to be the perfect long-term fit for the family and the animal," Gundlach said. "I love finding that perfect match." Dr. Jennifer Kinney, a local veterinarian and the president of the humane society board, said that knowing Hargreaves planned to retire, the board has been moving additional duties to Gundlach, "We've kind of been working on her the last couple of years," Kinney said. "She has really been running the show for a few months. We're super happy she decided to move into that position for us." Gundlach said the board is supportive and helpful in working with the staff. "The current board here is outstanding," she said. The shelter at the humane society has six paid staffers, two full-time and four part-time. It has a current vacancy for an additional part-time worker. Gundlach is a native of Hillsdale, Michigan. A registered veterinary technician, she has a bachelor's degree in biology from Adrian College. Gundlach came to Erie County in 2005 to accept a job as the first paid employee at Back to the Wild. She then worked for African Safari Wildlife Park in Ottawa County and then worked at York Animal Hospital in Bellevue for eight years before taking a teaching job at Stautzenberger College in the veterinary technician program. Gundlach came into contact with Hargreaves in connection with her teaching job. She came in to speak with Hargreaves about starting a relationship between the humane society and her students. Hargreaves quickly turned the interview around and began recruiting Gundlach. Gundlach has lived in Castalia for three years and before that lived in Sandusky for 10 years. She and her husband, Andrew Gundlach, married in 2007 after meeting on a blind date set up by friends. The two enjoy camping and traveling. Active in the community, Gundlach has been involved with 100+ Women Who Care in Erie County and Sandusky Rotary and is a member of the Ohio Association of Veterinary Technicians. The Gundlachs have two rescue dogs, a Chihuahua mix whose ears stick straight up, named Yoda, and a black labrador mix, named Vader. "My husband happens to be a big 'Star Wars' fan," Gundlach said. "The arrangement has been I choose the dogs and he chooses the names." The two do not have any cats at home, but only because Andrew Gundlach is allergic to cats. "I get my cat fix here at work," she said. "That way, I have them in my life on a daily basis."