Kauaʻi Humane Society welcomes new executive director Padraic Gallagher

Kauaʻi Humane Society Executive Director Nicole Schafer Crane, who took the helm 4 years ago, led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and played a critical part in many of its recent intitiatives and successes, is stepping down and will return to the East Coast.

Padraic Gallagher, former disaster program manager for the American Red Cross in Līhuʻe, was tabbed by the Kauaʻi Humane Society Board of Directors to become the next executive director and will officially begin his duties Oct. 21.

There will be a month overlap with Schafer Crane so Gallagher can become better acquainted with shelter operations and meet the staff in various departments.

“The [Kauaʻi Humane Society] board believed it is critical to have continuity of leadership, and we are very pleased that Padraic, a 15-year resident of Kauaʻi, will be coming on board and overlapping with Nicole for several weeks before she departs,” said Kauaʻi Humane Society Board President Dan Giovanni.

Gallagher brings a diverse background in management, planning and customer service to the table, with significant experience in the nonprofit and government sectors.

He and his wife Shannon also served as foster parents to several Kauaʻi Humane Society animals throughout the years.

Gallagher worked with the the American Red Cross in Lihuʻe for nearly 10 years, overseeing 120 volunteers and coordinating disaster response efforts in his role as disaster program manager. He also collaborated with the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency on mass care incidents.

Gallagher worked as a park ranger with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Kīlauea prior to his time with the American Red Cross, maintaining visitor records, enforcing safety rules to protect guests, staff and wildlife and providing park information to enhance customer service.

He also participated in park maintenance and public education efforts, focusing on responsible recreation and safe park activities.

“I am looking forward to this new opportunity to ensure the health, safety and happiness of our pets and their families,” said Gallagher. “I hope to build upon the great work Nicole has done the past few years.”

When Schafer Crane assumed the Kauaʻi Humane Society executive director mantle in 2020, she not only took on the unique challenges of leading the island’s only open-intake shelter, she did so amid a global pandemic.

The board is grateful for her dedication and service to them, the community and animals of Kauaʻi.

“I was deeply saddened to hear that Nicole was leaving [Kaua’i Humane Society], and we wish her all the very best. We will sorely miss her leadership skills, knowledge of shelter operations, humor and tireless passion for the welfare of the entire Kauaʻi community and its animals,” said Kapaʻa board member Andrew Goode.

Schafer Crane achieved many milestones for animal welfare on Kauaʻi throughout here tenure.

She spearheaded Kauaʻi Humane Society’s dog park renovations, disaster preparedness initiatives and Mission Mainland. Crane was also crucial in securing no-kill status for the organization’s shelter in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Additionally, the Kauaʻi Humane Society transfer program flew more animals to mainland rescue partners than any other Hawaiʻi shelter in 2021 and 2022, and broke its annual adoption record in 2021 with 1,406 dogs and cats finding new homes.

Schafer Crane also introduced the Ringworm Ward to treat sick kittens, brought Greater Good Charities and cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy to the island, partnered with Pacific Birds and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance wildlife protection and opened the Community Care Center, including X-ray and diagnostics, in August 2022 to provide affordable veterinary care for island pet owners with support from PetSmart Charities.

“It’s never easy when an organization loses a strong executive like Nicole, and she will be missed,” said Giovanni.