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Dia DuVernet, the president and CEO of Pasadena Humane, took over the nonprofit’s operations in June 2019.
A CHAMPION OF COMPASSIONATE CARE DIA DUVERNET IS PASADENA HUMANE’S SEASONED CEO
espite earning a degree in social work and spending years working to improve the quality of life for vulnerable communities in need, Dia DuVernet says switching to animal welfare was a natural transition. The president and CEO of Pasadena Humane explains that in order to successfully work with animals, one must also be proficient in connecting with humans. DuVernet, a licensed clinical social worker and certified fundraising executive, worked with organizations serving vulnerable children and families prior to entering her current field. “The sheltering world has been evolving more and more to provide those human-animal support services,” DuVernet says. “We’re trying to work with people to keep their pets rather than having the first option to be having pets come into shelters.” As head of Pasadena Humane since June 2019, DuVernet has not only worked tirelessly to continue the organizations legacy of spearheading animal support services but to also expand. The organization is a donor-supported nonprofit that provides animal care and services for homeless and owned animals in the greater Los Angeles area.
“It’s just such an amazing organization with a great reputation,” she says. “It’s one of the leading organizations in animal welfare in the country. “I work with a really talented staff of about 130 employees and have over 1,500 volunteers. We are so fortunate to have the support of the community both with our volunteers and with our donors.” Geared toward helping keep companion animals in “loving homes,” the Humane in 2020 achieved a combined 91.5% live release rate for dogs, cats and critters. It also saved 100% of “healthy and safe” animals, according to its website. “Our mission is compassion and care and to make sure that companion animals live in loving homes,” DuVernet says. “And to help the community peacefully coexist with wildlife. We do both companion animal work and wildlife rehabilitation work. People are more familiar, I think, with our adoptions, but we also care for injured, orphaned and sick wildlife animals.” In 2014, Pasadena Humane doubled in size with the opening of its Animal Care Center. The campus features a low-cost public spay and neuter clinic, behavior and training center, updated dog boarding ken-
Photo courtesy of Pasadena Humane
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BY JORDAN HOUSTON
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