Animal Welfare League is in a state of transition.

This week, longtime executive director Darla McCammon will wrap up her official tenure and begin helping her replacement, Katey Zemen, ease in as she takes the reins of the biggest no-kill rescue shelter in Kosciusko County.

The hiring of Zemen was announced last week.

Zemen has owned a string of shelter animals over the years, including several cats and a 14-year- old Shepherd mix named Lucy that she’s had for 12 years.

She has a degree in arts administration and her background includes a five-year stint as executive director with the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir.

Zemen describes herself as an animal lover and an avid volunteer, and previously served as president of Active 20-30 Club in Fort Wayne, a service club for people under 40.

She’s resided in the Warsaw area for about eight years.

Her interest in joining AWL was almost instantaneous after learning about the job.

“When this opening came up, I just felt like I was called to pursue it. It felt right,” Zemen said. “I never realized how large of a passion I have until I interviewed for this position.”

She was almost giddy last week while discussing her new position and the enthusiasm she’s seen at the shelter.

“I am so happily overwhelmed,” she said.

“It’s just so easy to get excited about what you do when you are surrounded by people that are just as excited and passionate,” she said.

The job promises to provide challenges as the facility continues to plan for a new home.

The shelter at 3489 E. CR 100S is currently home to about 200 animals and is run by the full-time director, about a dozen part-time employees and  a fleet of volunteers.

Zemen said she appreciates the fact McCammon will be available for support and has a strong staff of part-time employees and volunteers.

McCammon said she was pleased to have a role in Zemen’s hiring.

As Zemen settles in, an open house is planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday at the new facility to celebrate McCammon’s tenure with AWL. The public is invited.

McCammon joined AWL about 10 years ago after retiring from a career with AT&T.

She began as a volunteer with the shelter and soon moved up to assistant director. Within months, though, she was promoted to director.

Stepping aside now, she said, just feels right.

But she’ll hardly being walking away and will continue ongoing efforts to finance and plan the group’s future home, just down the road at the corner of U.S. 30 and CR 325E.

McCammon has been working on fundraising and planning for the new facility for several years.

The current facility has been used for decades and shows the wear and tear. Last year, a ceiling in the lab collapsed, and this year the facility had a small fire.

AWL has raised about $1.2 million and needs another $300,000 to $400,000.

At this point, McCammon will continue until the transition to the new facility is complete.

“That’s going to be my legacy to the community. That’s been my goal all along – to leave something positive,” McCammon said.

The future site already has a building that will be the basis for expansion.

McCammon said they are looking at constructing an adjoining building that would be used along with the existing facility at the site. Such a move would allow for plenty of growth and additional uses.

McCammon is on a committee that focuses on disaster planning for Kosciusko County. That role, she said, melds well with the shelter.

“When you have disasters, animals need help, too,” McCammon said. “With  that extra building, I can accommodate a lot of extra people and animals.”

One of the aspects McCammon leaves behind that she is proud of is a policy that allows tentative pet owners  to take home an animal for a two- or three-day test run.

The policy has proven effective in ensuring owners and animals are a good match and has resulted in a low return rate for the shelter.

Zemen has embraced the policy as well.

Finding good matches between people and pets is paramount, Zemen said, adding that she’s seen the immediate connection when an adoption happens.

“I personally feel that they truly understand what’s happening – that they know when they go home with their new mom and dad – that they’re going to have this amazing quality of life,” she said.

“That’s what we’re here for – to create the best quality of life for these animals.”