Lisa Chase to direct fundraising, public relations for First State Animal Center-SPCA

Lisa Strong Chase, a resident of Dover, recently joined the First State Animal Center -SPCA as its director of development and public relations. Prior to joining the animal humane, rescue and adoption center, Chase provided freelance work for them. Chase brings to the organization more than 20 years of not-for-profit fundraising, public relations, and marketing experience, having worked for noted organizations such as the American Red Cross, Urban Ministries of Wake County, N.C., and Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Virginia.

"We are thrilled that Lisa has joined our team," said Kevin Usilton, executive director, FSAC-SPCA. "She brings a tremendous amount of experience, a proven track record in her fields, coupled with a profound love for the animals we are caring for."

Chase's family has been involved with animal rescue and adoptions since she was a small child. Growing up in Virginia, her family had a large menagerie of rescue animals - birds, dogs, cats, even a snake at one time. Her niece is a trained wildlife rehabilitator and an ornithologist.

Chase is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins University with an MBA from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She is working on another master's degree at Delaware State University. She is also the youth ministry coordinator at Presbyterian Church of Dover, and for many years, directed the Dover and Southern Delaware chapters of the National League of Junior Cotillions, a leadership development program for youth. She is a member of the Leadership Central Delaware Class of 2013, and a member of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce.

The mission of the First State Animal Center-SPCA is twofold: It protects animals from people, by prevention of cruelty and suffering, rescue of the trapped or injured, emergency medical treatment, temporary housing for homeless animals and the reduction of homeless pet overpopulation through targeted spay/neuter and education programs. It protects people from animals through a commitment  to placing only stable, safe and well-adjusted animals into homes where they will thrive while simultaneously educating the public about responsible pet guardianship. It has adoption sites at the center in Camden and provides services all over the state through special adoption events.