CEO selected

Best Friends Animal Society has announced that Gregory Castle, one of the original founders of the national animal welfare organization, has been named chief executive officer by the society’s board of directors.

"Over the last 25 years Gregory has become one of the key leaders in animal welfare, as well as a voice of reason and reconciliation among the grassroots rescue groups, animal shelters and the national animal organizations," said John Fripp, chairman of the board. "The board recognized Gregory’s strong executive ability through his longstanding work with Best Friends, No More Homeless Pets in Utah, and, of course, his strong interim leadership of the society since July 2009."

Since the founding of Best Friends Animal Society in 1984, Mr. Castle has served the organization in a number of official capacities, as well as traveling nationally and internationally to consult with organizations on a wide variety of animal welfare issues. He is also a widely respected national expert on feral cats.

"I am honored and delighted to have received this appointment," Castle said. "Best Friends has a powerful plan for saving more animal lives, and it is a privilege for me to lead a very determined team forward in pursuit of its mission."

In 2000, Castle created No More Homeless Pets in Utah, an organization that led a statewide coalition of animal welfare and rescue organizations, animal control officers, veterinarians, and animal lovers. Through aggressive spay/neuter, adoption, and public awareness programs, the coalition contributed to a large decrease in the number of animals euthanized in Utah each year.

Born in England, Mr. Castle is a graduate of Cambridge University with a master’s degree in philosophy and psychology. His background includes extensive administrative and accounting work for nonprofit human service. He also is an avid physical fitness enthusiast, having completed the Boston Marathon three times, most recently in 2009.

Written by Best Friends staff

Photo by Molly Wald