Mike Arms

Michael Arms joined the Helen Woodward Animal Center as its president and executive director in September of 1999.

Now an internationally acclaimed animal welfare advocate, Mike began his career in New York as district manager for the ASPCA from 1966 to 1976. He then joined North Shore Animal League as the organization's director of operations for over 20 years and oversaw 400,000 animal adoptions during his tenure.

The creator of the pet Adopt-a-Thon, Mike developed the North Shore Animal League's pet adoptions promotion from a local event to an international collaboration involving 2,200 shelters in 9 countries. The effort resulted in homes for thousands of orphaned animals in a 36-hour period.

After leaving North Shore, Mike spent 2 years as a consultant to animal welfare agencies throughout the United States to enhance their programs. Then, as president of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, he developed the Home 4 the Holidays adoption program that resulted in over 313,000 adoptions during the 2004 holiday season.

A resident of Solana Beach, California, Mike is married and has one daughter, three dogs, and four cats.