MeLissa Webber, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, joined the SPCA of Texas in April 2024. As SVP & COO, MeLissa oversees all animal welfare and animal-related operations.

MeLissa brings over 17 years of animal welfare leadership and management experience to the SPCA of Texas, most recently from Dallas Animal Services.

Dallas Animal Services is the municipal shelter for the City of Dallas and is estimated to have the ninth-largest dog and cat intake in the United States. While at DAS, MeLissa managed a $19 million budget, led 175 full time employees, and worked to ensure DAS’s continued commitment to its guiding principles of public safety, compassion, and no shortcuts.

Having long understood the importance of the human component of animal welfare, MeLissa believes that programs and approaches that serve both people and pets are the key to lifesaving. She has led and participated in initiatives over the years to promote those values and has continually worked to establish and strengthen partnerships with other organizations to enhance access to services and support.

MeLissa has also overseen lifesaving, field, and shelter operations at Los Angeles Animal Services, another of the nation’s largest sheltering organizations. She spent seven years at the San Diego Humane Society and at Animal Care Centers of New York City, where, as their Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, she helped drive the placement rate from 72% to 93%, introducing such programming as surrender prevention, community cat pathways and dog playgroups. While there, she also oversaw key facility upgrades to improve the quality of life for the animals cared for across all five locations.

MeLissa is a national leader in Animal Welfare, having served on the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement conference committee, spearheaded a peer group from across the nation to strategize on the future of animal welfare and spoken at conferences and as a subject matter expert in a variety of forums.

As Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MeLissa will drive all operational departments: animal cruelty investigations, veterinary services, shelter programs and management, behavioral programs and services, lifesaving initiatives, community impact, and community partnerships.

MeLissa enjoys the parks and outdoor spaces near her downtown home she shares with her rescue pets. In her free time, you can often find her at a nearby venue enjoying the arts and entertainment in Dallas.