Spill it: A conversation with Julie Schultz

Julie Schultz, 29, is the kennel manager at the Central Missouri Humane Society. She started nine years ago as the volunteer coordinator and now supervises the kennel staff. Although she thought about majoring in veterinary medicine, she abandoned that career choice and earned a law degree at MU. Then she found her way back into the animal kingdom. Here’s what she had to say about working with dogs, cats and other critters.

What’s the most surprising animal you’ve seen at the Humane Society?

We’ve had a couple of horses. One was found as a stray in someone’s pasture. He was very thin and covered in ticks.

The smallest?

A Siberian dwarf hamster.

What’s the most heartbreaking case you have seen?

We had a chocolate Lab puppy the owners reclaimed and he came back almost dead. We had to euthanize him because he basically starved to death.

What’s the most uplifting case?

I fostered a Chihuahua that came in with a broken leg. We fixed her leg and she got adopted.

How many pets do you have at home?

Four dogs, five cats, two horses, two chickens and three small birds.

How many came from the Humane Society?

Three of the dogs, three cats, the two chickens and two birds.

What was your first pet?

A miniature schnauzer named Pooker. My parents got him before they had me and my sisters.

Complete the sentence: “When I get off of work, the first thing I do is...”

Take care of my animals at home.

What advice can you give potential adopters?

Think it through before you add an animal to your household.

What’s the best part of your job?

Getting to know the animals and matching the right animal to the right person.

What’s the worst?

Having to decide which animals to keep and which not to keep.