FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The folks who support the Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) are a dedicated bunch. From the volunteers who help staff adoption events to those in the office who field inquiries and keep track of every dog and cat awaiting adoption, it is their tireless efforts that make it all happen.

Rising from their ranks is Sonja Presley, a Mobile native who in late January was hired as BARC’s new executive director, replacing Jim Turner. She plans to build on past successes.

“One of my main directives here is to have technology aid us and have our mission known to the public. We are revamping our Web site. That’s one of the first goals,” Presley said. “We want the public to consider adoption first when they get a pet, and we want to get our pets out to more places. We need to make our pets (more) visible, and we recognize our online community is a great way to do it.”

She has been BARC’s Web master since July 2009. The countywide animal rescue organization also has a presence on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. E-mail updates are also sent regularly to those who believe in what they do.

Presley lives on five acres in Baldwin County with her daughter, Caitlin, and a menagerie of animals. Among them are six cats, three dogs, a parrot and a Missouri fox trotter named Kizzie. All the animals are rescues, and they keep the pair grounded.

Both Sonja and Caitlin have long been active volunteers in the community, including work they have done for the Rileigh and Raylee Angel Ride, the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, Thunder on the Gulf, the Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival, the Baldwin County Strawberry Festival and other events.

Presley conceived the idea of the first annual BARC! for a Cure, a joint fundraiser with the American Cancer Society, for which in September she served as event coordinator. Howl-O-Ween at the Wharf was another BARC event she spearheaded last year.

Presley has also been involved with Pawsitive Therapy, taking two of her dogs, Dolce and Versace, to area nursing homes to interact with residents; and she headed up Sit, Stay, Read!, a series of library activities last summer where children read to dogs, something designed to encourage their continued love of the printed word.

Both mother and daughter have also acted as volunteer media relations liaisons for many different organizations and events for nearly a decade, including Saddle Up For St. Jude.

Presley graduated from First Independent Methodist School in Mobile, then attended the University of South Alabama for two years.

She earned her degree in marketing management from the University of Alabama while also advancing to division manager of ZAP Professional Photography in Tuscaloosa. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and was a Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Little Sister.

In 1991, at age 26, she enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for eight years, including a stint in the Persian Gulf. She was a noncommissioned personnel officer attached to a healthcare specialties unit. She was once named Outstanding Personnel Specialist of the Year.

Presley returned with her family to southwest Alabama in 2000, and she worked in the sales and marketing department at Standard Furniture in Bay Minette, specializing in new product development. She left the company in August 2008 as Standard and many other local employers felt the brunt of the economic downturn. It was once the 17th largest player in the furniture industry.

“I loved what I did when I worked for Philip Hodgson,” Presley said. “I worked with the designers. It was totally exciting.”

She has taken in nearly everything the Gulf Coast has to offer since returning home. Both Presley and her daughter love the coast, and they are avid photographers who enjoy a little sand between their toes.

Presley said they have fostered BARC animals for several years, and began purchasing spay/neuter vouchers in 2001.

In fact, her first major project since taking the helm at BARC is an effort to reduce the spring kitten explosion. BARC is offering $20 vouchers for spaying/neutering of cats through the Spring Kitten Prevention Program (SKP).

Baldwin County residents (regardless of income) are eligible to purchase the certificates, and there is no limit on how many vouchers individuals can buy. Voucher sales continue through March 31, or when 500 have been sold.

They may be purchased at BARC’s office at 306 Magnolia Ave. in Fairhope, or by mail when you send a $20 money order per voucher to P.O. Box 206, Fairhope, AL 36533.

SKP vouchers may also be purchased at the Lillian Veterinary Clinic (for use there) or through Gina Ramer, Animal Control Officer in Bay Minette, for use at Dr. Palmer’s Bay Minette Animal Clinic.

A total of 22 veterinary clinics countywide are accepting reduced fees for spay/neutering services using the SKP vouchers. They must be redeemed by April 30. A complete list of participating clinics can be found online at www.baldwinhumane.org.

Presley said, “It’s a kitten explosion. This is the fourth year BARC has offered this.” She noted that cats have on average three litters of kittens a year, and springtime is an excellent time to prevent further unchecked breeding.

The SKP program is funded by the generosity of donors and through foundations and other grantors who share BARC’s goal of bringing an end to pet overpopulation.

“The volunteers here have been super-dedicated,” Presley said. “They are selfless and dedicated.” She pointed out additional enthusiastic volunteers are needed, as are families who can provide foster care for dogs and cats until they are placed in permanent homes.

Presley believes she has found a niche where her passion for animals can be put to good use. She said, “I love meeting the people who want to help the animals. It’s inspiring — the people throughout the county who want to help us.”

BARC was incorporated in 1979 as a not-for-profit animal welfare organization. It receives no city or county funding, instead relying on grants and donations.

To find out how you can help homeless, abused and injured animals, call their office at (251) 928-4585.