Dear friends and members,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who do not know  me. I have been with the Central California SPCA for thirty-eight years and started at the  very bottom of the ladder as a kennelman trainee in April 1967, within one month of my honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force. At the time, I was a single father with a three-year-old son and was just looking for a job. As it turned out, that first job became my career. I realized almost immediately that this is what I wanted to  do and felt that I could be of great

benefit to the animals under my care. I was extremely impressed by the Executive Director, but not so much by my fellow employees. I worked, kept my mouth shut, and observed. From that point on I've worn many hats and held many titles including night shift officer, city driver, office manager, leash law officer, humane officer, chief leash law officer, leash law supervisor, animal control supervisor, personnel coordinator, kennel supervisor, and for the last fifteen years assistant to the Executive Director, G.L. Rambo. I have had the honor and privilege to have worked closely with Mr. G.L. "Gib" Rambo both personally and professionally on a daily basis for a longer period of time than any other     person other than his wife, Ruthelaine Rambo, whom I dearly love and admire. As Gib Rambo's assistant for many years, I have been exposed to his methods of directing this humane society. He has involved me in all aspects of the position of Executive Director. I have also had the opportunity over the years to build a very good relationship with city and county officials with different administrations. None of us wanted the day to come when Gib Rambo decided that it was his time to retire. That day had now come as of December 31, 2001. And the CC/SPCA Board of Directors had bestowed upon him the extraordinary honor of the position as "Executive Director Emeritus." His leadership, direction and contributions will never be forgotten. I now have the honor to have been appointed as Executive Director of the Central California SPCA by our Board of Directors. 
Their confidence in my abilities and experience to fill this position is greatly appreciated and somewhat intimidating. I do have confidence in myself and have an excellent relationship with staff. I have accepted this position with great challenge but have no intentions of trying to fill Gib Rambo's boots, but I can assure all of you that I will give 100% effort to fill this position to the best of my ability. Mr. Rambo has great public relation skills and name recognition, which I intend to continue building on. He has expressed his confidence in my ability to carry on with our mission, and I have no intentions of letting him down.

I have immediate short term and long term goals, and am fully aware of the direction in which we must proceed in the future in order to ensure that our animal friends and companions will be provided for and protected. Although I have been directly involved with and supervised all areas of operations, my primary focus has been in the direction of why this humane society was founded: to ensure the humane treatment of all animals, to prevent the inhumane treatment, cruelty and neglect of all animals, and to promote responsible pet ownership through education and enforcement. I have no reservations or hesitation in aggressively pursuing criminal prosecution in cases involving an intentional act of cruelty or neglect of an animal. I look forward to continue working with and having cooperative relations with any legitimate rescue organization that actively pursues its mission to place unwanted animals in loving homes and not merely to promote memberships and solicit contributions in restrictive operations. I am asking all rescue groups and "no kill" shelters to step up to the plate and show their colors; not just criticize and quote statistics. Become active in the assistance of placing unwanted animals in homes, and not just the most adoptable animals, but all adoptable animals.

As Executive Director of the Central California SPCA, I will be soliciting your support, membership and contributions in a variety of ways. When I do so I guarantee and assure you that 100% of contributed funds will go directly to the care and welfare of animals in a variety of ways. We must focus on humane education, low-cost and no-cost spay and neuter programs, expanded and updated kennel facilities, cruelty and neglect enforcement, expanded foster home programs, an expanded volunteer program, adoptions counseling and screening, financial support to assisting non-profit rescue organizations, and off-site adoptions. Although we do contract with Fresno City and County for animal control and pound services, we cannot continue operate as a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals without community financial support.

The Central California SPCA is an open door  animal shelter that all of Fresno City, Fresno County and Central California can be proud of. This society belongs to all of us and we all should be involved to ensure its continued success and operation. I look forward to personally meeting each and every one of you, your friends, relatives and neighbors.

Norm Minson
Executive Director
Central California SPCA