MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Grand Strand Humane Society has terminated former Director Ashley Crocker as part of a new strategic five year plan.

Grand Strand Humane Society Board President Elena Nicholas released a statement Wednesday regarding Crocker’s separation from the organization:

“The Grand Strand Humane Society has a five year strategic plan which requires new leadership to be put into motion. The Board of Directors is responsible to ensure that the Grand Strand Humane Society is on track with regards to meeting its goals. We do not make personnel matters public. We will be aggressively searching for the right individual to lead the Grand Strand Humane Society with its mission and goals.”

During a phone conversation with News13, Nicholas confirms Crocker’s termination was effective May 10. A list of qualifications for the new director is being formed and should be made public in the coming days, Nicholas adds.

In regards to the humane society’s strategic plan, Nicholas notes that the board’s desire is for the Grand Strand Humane Society to be an exemplary organization. The below statement was offered by Nicholas in connection with the five year plan:

“In order to move from the old state of the shelter to the new state, we need to make changes. The energy from the recently extended Board of Directors is dynamic. We have set a new, more focused mission statement for the shelter, and have adopted an overarching goal to be ‘best in class’ in five years. We want to be the first place people in the area think of for adopting a pet, clinical services and eventually where they turn to for behavioral help for their pet as well. We want to be the benchmark and model for other shelters to look to on how to do things right. To do this, we must change the culture of the shelter. Going forward, everything we do will be ‘best in class’ mindset. All of our goals and strategies are working toward getting us to this point.”

The new mission statement for the humane society is:

“The Grand Strand Humane Society exists to improve the quality of life for companion animals by providing shelter and care to the lost, homeless and unwanted animals of the community.   We focus on finding adoptive homes for the animals in our shelter, providing low-cost veterinary care to the public, and through community involvement and education we are able to further the bond between people and animals.”