More than you (probably) ever wanted to know about our staff...
Howard Nelson - Chief Executive Officer
Howard Nelson joined the PSPCA as Chief Executive Officer in March of 2007. Prior to leading the PSPCA, Nelson served as Executive Director for the Washington Humane Society for two years. During his time at the Washington Humane Society, Nelson introduced important programs and services to the District of Columbia including an innovative five- year plan called the Good Home Guarantee that will make Washington D.C. a no-kill community by the year 2010. Nelson also launched a regional spay and neuter clinic that prevents tens-of-thousands of unwanted animal births each year, a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats, and he expanded many other important programs and services for the animals in the District of Columbia. Prior to joining the Washington Humane Society, Nelson was employed as a Vice President of Fannie Mae, where he worked for 16 years. Nelson has been dedicated to improving the lives of people and animals throughout his life, and regards his work with animal welfare as truly satisfying. Nelson has been active in the communities in which he lived, volunteering for such organizations as: the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Habitat for Humanity, Aidswalk, Food and Friends, and Labrador Retriever Rescue. Nelson lives in Center City with his partner of 22 years and two rescue dogs, Emmy, a Black Labrador Retriever and Cali, a Husky and Shepherd mix with one brown and one blue eye. Both were rescued from injury and near-death. Emmy and Cali accompany Nelson every day to work.
Elaine Skypala - Chief Program Officer
A graduate of Temple University's School of Communications, Skypala began her career as a producer and talent on WPVI-TV's "Captain Noah and his Magical Ark," daily children's show. As a result of the PSPCA's weekly appearance on the program, Skypala became dedicated to the PSPCA. "The number of animals needing help was never ending, and the staff was so caring and tireless. I wanted to help make a difference." Skypala joined the PSPCA in 1979 as Director of Public Relations.
Rachel McCrystal - Director of Development
Rachel McCrystal is a new addition to the Pennsylvania SPCA staff. A graduate of the University of Arizona, McCrystal has worked and volunteered at many nonprofit organizations, including Philadelphia's WXPN. She is also a current board member of POG, a poetry reading series. McCrystal is thrilled to be a part of the development office, as she has been a longtime animal rights advocate, and looks forward to meeting the many friends and members of the Pennsylvania SPCA. McCrystal and her husband have their very own shelter dog, Fredo (who hates cats, so he won't be invited to the office).
Wendy Evans - Shelter Manager
As a child growing up in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Wendy was surrounded by animals. With seven dogs, 15 cats, a boa constrictor, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds as pets, as well as raising orphaned animals, Wendy's compassion was evident at an early age. Evans was determined to work with animals as an adult. In 1995, she was hired at the PSPCA as a Kennel Attendant. In a month and a half, Wendy's caring nature and animal knowledge was apparent and she was promoted to the position of shelter supervisor. Another promotion soon followed and she became the Assistant Director of Animal Care. In January of 2004, Evans was made Shelter Manager where she oversees the daily shelter operation. Wendy believes she makes a difference in the community and in the lives of animals that end up at the PSPCA. She gets great joy in watching an animal go home with a loving family.
Consuila Harris - Clinic Manager
A 1988 graduate of W. B. Saul Agriculture High School, Ms. Harris studied small and large animal science. She has been at the PSPCA for four years where she began as a Kennel Attendant, was quickly promoted to Shelter Supervisor and is now Clinic Manager. Ms. Harris receives great enjoyment from helping unfortunate animals, reuniting lost pets with their owners and watching pets be adopted and begin a new journey with their adoptive families. Harris feels that the most rewarding part of her job is the fact the she is making a difference in the lives of thousands of animals each year.
Ravindra Murarka, D.V.M. - Director of Animal Health
Dr. Murarka began working at the PSPCA in 1992 as a staff veterinarian and in 1995 he became the Chief Veterinarian for the Rutherford Animal Hospital of the PSPCA. In 1998 he was promoted to Director of Animal Health. The Rutherford Memorial Hospital is one of the busiest animal hospitals in the USA. He has trained many American and foreign veterinary graduates. He also owns and operates Compassion Veterinary Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia.
Dr. Murarka is a past president of the Association of Indian Veterinarians in America. He has been Secretary of both Bucks-Mont Veterinary Medical Association and the Delaware Valley Academy of Veterinary Medicine. He is the chairperson for the Animal Welfare Committee for the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. He is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Metropolitan Veterinary Medicine.
Ray Little - Director of Adoptions, Rescue and Foster Care
Ray has been with the PSPCA for four years. He has spent most of that time as a shelter volunteer, helping with special events and adoptions on our mobile adoption unit. Over time he developed an interest in training dogs with the hope that his efforts would help find permanent homes for hard-to-place animals. He is now a certified animal trainer. Ray also hoped that he could help educate adopters about their new pets to ensure a happy new family experience as an adoption counselor. Ray helped to develop the PSPCA's Puppy Kindergarten, a special class for puppies from nine-to-16 weeks of age; the class teaches basic obedience, manners and good nutrition, among many other things. As volunteer coordinator, Ray was in awe of the many people who gave freely of their time to make the lives of Philadelphia's homeless pets more enriched. While at the PSPCA, he fostered kittens and puppies and currently shares his home with four canine characters named Sebastian, Simba, Sheba and Gypsy and a cat named Fido. Ray feels that helping animals and working with so many like-minded people is the best way to spend one's time.
Howard Nelson - Chief Executive Officer
Howard Nelson joined the PSPCA as Chief Executive Officer in March of 2007. Prior to leading the PSPCA, Nelson served as Executive Director for the Washington Humane Society for two years. During his time at the Washington Humane Society, Nelson introduced important programs and services to the District of Columbia including an innovative five- year plan called the Good Home Guarantee that will make Washington D.C. a no-kill community by the year 2010. Nelson also launched a regional spay and neuter clinic that prevents tens-of-thousands of unwanted animal births each year, a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats, and he expanded many other important programs and services for the animals in the District of Columbia. Prior to joining the Washington Humane Society, Nelson was employed as a Vice President of Fannie Mae, where he worked for 16 years. Nelson has been dedicated to improving the lives of people and animals throughout his life, and regards his work with animal welfare as truly satisfying. Nelson has been active in the communities in which he lived, volunteering for such organizations as: the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Habitat for Humanity, Aidswalk, Food and Friends, and Labrador Retriever Rescue. Nelson lives in Center City with his partner of 22 years and two rescue dogs, Emmy, a Black Labrador Retriever and Cali, a Husky and Shepherd mix with one brown and one blue eye. Both were rescued from injury and near-death. Emmy and Cali accompany Nelson every day to work.
Elaine Skypala - Chief Program Officer
A graduate of Temple University's School of Communications, Skypala began her career as a producer and talent on WPVI-TV's "Captain Noah and his Magical Ark," daily children's show. As a result of the PSPCA's weekly appearance on the program, Skypala became dedicated to the PSPCA. "The number of animals needing help was never ending, and the staff was so caring and tireless. I wanted to help make a difference." Skypala joined the PSPCA in 1979 as Director of Public Relations.
Rachel McCrystal - Director of Development
Rachel McCrystal is a new addition to the Pennsylvania SPCA staff. A graduate of the University of Arizona, McCrystal has worked and volunteered at many nonprofit organizations, including Philadelphia's WXPN. She is also a current board member of POG, a poetry reading series. McCrystal is thrilled to be a part of the development office, as she has been a longtime animal rights advocate, and looks forward to meeting the many friends and members of the Pennsylvania SPCA. McCrystal and her husband have their very own shelter dog, Fredo (who hates cats, so he won't be invited to the office).
Wendy Evans - Shelter Manager
As a child growing up in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, Wendy was surrounded by animals. With seven dogs, 15 cats, a boa constrictor, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds as pets, as well as raising orphaned animals, Wendy's compassion was evident at an early age. Evans was determined to work with animals as an adult. In 1995, she was hired at the PSPCA as a Kennel Attendant. In a month and a half, Wendy's caring nature and animal knowledge was apparent and she was promoted to the position of shelter supervisor. Another promotion soon followed and she became the Assistant Director of Animal Care. In January of 2004, Evans was made Shelter Manager where she oversees the daily shelter operation. Wendy believes she makes a difference in the community and in the lives of animals that end up at the PSPCA. She gets great joy in watching an animal go home with a loving family.
Consuila Harris - Clinic Manager
A 1988 graduate of W. B. Saul Agriculture High School, Ms. Harris studied small and large animal science. She has been at the PSPCA for four years where she began as a Kennel Attendant, was quickly promoted to Shelter Supervisor and is now Clinic Manager. Ms. Harris receives great enjoyment from helping unfortunate animals, reuniting lost pets with their owners and watching pets be adopted and begin a new journey with their adoptive families. Harris feels that the most rewarding part of her job is the fact the she is making a difference in the lives of thousands of animals each year.
Ravindra Murarka, D.V.M. - Director of Animal Health
Dr. Murarka began working at the PSPCA in 1992 as a staff veterinarian and in 1995 he became the Chief Veterinarian for the Rutherford Animal Hospital of the PSPCA. In 1998 he was promoted to Director of Animal Health. The Rutherford Memorial Hospital is one of the busiest animal hospitals in the USA. He has trained many American and foreign veterinary graduates. He also owns and operates Compassion Veterinary Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia.
Dr. Murarka is a past president of the Association of Indian Veterinarians in America. He has been Secretary of both Bucks-Mont Veterinary Medical Association and the Delaware Valley Academy of Veterinary Medicine. He is the chairperson for the Animal Welfare Committee for the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association. He is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Metropolitan Veterinary Medicine.
Ray Little - Director of Adoptions, Rescue and Foster Care
Ray has been with the PSPCA for four years. He has spent most of that time as a shelter volunteer, helping with special events and adoptions on our mobile adoption unit. Over time he developed an interest in training dogs with the hope that his efforts would help find permanent homes for hard-to-place animals. He is now a certified animal trainer. Ray also hoped that he could help educate adopters about their new pets to ensure a happy new family experience as an adoption counselor. Ray helped to develop the PSPCA's Puppy Kindergarten, a special class for puppies from nine-to-16 weeks of age; the class teaches basic obedience, manners and good nutrition, among many other things. As volunteer coordinator, Ray was in awe of the many people who gave freely of their time to make the lives of Philadelphia's homeless pets more enriched. While at the PSPCA, he fostered kittens and puppies and currently shares his home with four canine characters named Sebastian, Simba, Sheba and Gypsy and a cat named Fido. Ray feels that helping animals and working with so many like-minded people is the best way to spend one's time.