Voices Carry for Animals # 54

Hosted by Debbie Dahmer

Guest: Steffen Evan Baldwin - Executive Director at the Top of Ohio Pet Shelter. President/CEO of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Ohio.

Steffen Coming from a family of dog trainers on his father's side, Steffen Baldwin was the Executive Director at the Union County Humane Society from 2008-2013, a shelter that operated both as an open-intake county facility for strays and as a traditional,limited-intake Humane Society for owner surrenders. Steffen is currently the Executive Director at the Top of Ohio Pet Shelter, another open-intake county facility for strays operating also as a traditional, limited-intake Humane Society for owner surrenders. Steffen is also the President/CEO of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Ohio, formed legally as a County Humane Society which by law in Ohio has the legal authority to appoint County Humane Agents with police powers to investigate and prosecute crimes of animal cruelty in their home County of Union. Locally, ACT Ohio has a 100% conviction rating on cruelty cases prosecuted. Statewide, ACT Ohio partners with over 15 counties to assist animals in need with voluntary rescue efforts. In 2014, ACT Ohio rescued 216 animals with 80% of the dog intake falling under the broad, bully breed category. All but two of those dogs, who came from the worst homes imaginable, were rehabilitated and adopted into loving homes. Over the past 8 years, Steffen has been responsible for the care and outcome of more than 10,000 dogs, with a 91% placement rating overall. Steffen is a father and has five rescued pit bulls of his own, as well as two Dobermans and currently four foster dogs on several acres out in the country.