Jane Tomsich | Rethinking What a Humane Society Can Be
Jane Tomsich | Rethinking What a Humane Society Can Be
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In this episode of the Top Dog Podcast, Jane Tomsich, Executive Director of Licking County Humane Society, shares her journey from adopting a neglected basset hound in college to leading one of Ohio’s most community-focused animal welfare organizations. With more than 16 years in animal welfare, Jane has witnessed firsthand how the industry has evolved from reactive sheltering to proactive community support.
Licking County Humane Society serves far more than animals in need. Through wellness clinics, vaccine outreach, humane investigations, food assistance, foster care, and community partnerships, the organization is helping thousands of families stay together with their pets.
“We’re all about preserving the human-animal bond.”
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the importance of seeing the community as part of the solution. Jane explains that today’s shelters are no longer simply places for unwanted animals—they’re community resources that help prevent pets from entering shelters in the first place.
“We’re including the community in the solution.”
Jane also reflects on how her own perspective has changed throughout her career. Early on, she believed stricter adoption policies protected animals, but experience taught her that trust, empathy, and education create far better outcomes.
“There’s no such thing as a perfect home.”
As a leader, Jane believes communication and transparency are essential for building strong teams. She encourages staff to ask questions, share ideas, and embrace innovation without fearing failure.
“I don’t want to be the smartest person in the room.”
Looking ahead, Jane is focused on helping Licking County Humane Society grow alongside its rapidly expanding community while continuing to build partnerships that support both animals and the people who love them.
“We have to grow with the community.”
At its core, this episode is about trust, collaboration, and creating an animal welfare system that empowers communities instead of working apart from them.
This message is especially important for Dooberteers, fosters, volunteers, and animal welfare professionals. By saying “yes” more often, embracing innovation, and working together, we can create stronger communities and better futures for animals.
If you’re passionate about helping animals, join the Doobert community where volunteers, fosters, transporters, and organizations work together to save lives every day. Visit Doobert.com to get involved.
And don’t forget to subscribe to the Top Dog Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Do you know any Top Dogs we should interview? We’re always looking for amazing people in animal welfare to feature on the podcast. Send us an email at tdp@doobert.com.