The Montgomery County SPCA has completely overhauled its management structure, writes Max Marin for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The animal shelter removed most of its top managers and adjusted its board following an investigation exposing high euthanasia rates and dangerous conditions despite $67 million in assets.

The board’s new president, Art Howe hopes to restore trust in the non-profit. He hired animal welfare experts and upgraded facilities to improve the SPCA’s save rate.

Initial steps include investing $250,000 to repair the Conshohocken branch’s kennels and hiring Animal Arts for a larger renovation plan.

The SPCA is not without ongoing challenges. There are still key staff vacancies, an Attorney General probe, and criticism over the controversial banning of a volunteer who blew the whistle on management.

Interim Executive Director Tracie Graham promised transparency. Under old leadership, the SPCA’s conditions deteriorated to a 1-in-5 euthanasia rate. Graham introduced a new multi-person euthanasia decision policy.

Howe expressed optimism about the SPCA’s new direction. “It’s absolutely time for a change, and we have made a lot of progress in the last four or five weeks,” he said.

Read more about the Montgomery County SPCA in the Philadelphia Inquirer.