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What if the best way to save more animals is to prevent them from ever entering a shelter?
In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Aldwin Roman, Senior VP and COO of the Charleston Animal Society, South Carolina's largest animal organization and shelter. Aldwin shares his unexpected journey from studying political science and wanting to advocate for people to starting as a kennel technician and eventually becoming a senior leader in animal welfare.
With Charleston Animal Society taking in roughly 15,000 animals each year, Aldwin has seen firsthand how the industry is shifting from reactive sheltering toward prevention, access to care, and community-based solutions.
In this conversation, we discuss:
✔ How Aldwin went from kennel tech to senior animal welfare leadership ✔ Why animal welfare is ultimately human welfare through animals ✔ Shifting from reactive sheltering to proactive community support ✔ Expanding access to spay/neuter and veterinary care ✔ Why prevention can have a greater impact than sheltering alone ✔ Leading frontline teams through support rather than micromanagement ✔ The importance of patience, humility, and lifelong learning in leadership ✔ How leaders can step back and focus on the bigger picture
Aldwin's story offers a powerful lesson for animal welfare leaders: real community change takes patience, perspective, and a willingness to look beyond the shelter walls.
Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/
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