Bill Gottschalk is stepping down as president of the Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County effective March 23.
Gottschalk served seven years as president and six years concurrently as board chairman. He helped create a partnership with Sumter County that doubled the number of animals the organization is able to save each year.
His retirement was announced in a Jan. 11 letter to the county board from Celine Petrie, the society’s current board chairman.
Two years ago, Gottschalk, a former president of the Villages Homeowners Association, brokered an agreement between the society and the county that increased the number of animal adoptions and reduced the number of animals euthanized. Last fall, he reported that more than 1,200 animals had been saved through the program.
The county also added two animal control officers in this year’s budget as part of an effort to provide better coverage to deal with strays during non-business hours.
County commissioners praised Gottschalk’s service at their meeting Tuesday.
“I think we all can agree that Mr. Gottschalk has done a yeoman’s job,” said Board Chairman Doug Gilpin. “He’s built an organization into something that is robust. He will be sadly missed.”
Commissioner Don Burgess also praised Gottschalk’s “outstanding” service.
In her letter, Petrie said Gottschalk brought adoptable animals into the society’s Lake Panasoffkee facility and oversaw shelter expansion.
“Bill’s leadership has allowed the Humane Society to grow along with Sumter County and laid a firm groundwork for our continuing success,” Petrie wrote.
His role as chief operating officer will be assumed by Anne Miller, who will have the title of shelter manager.