Twiraga becomes Ahimsa leader

The Board of Directors of Ahimsa Haven announced this week that Marjorie Twiraga, of Ashburnham, will assume the role of interim president immediately.

Ahimsa Haven is a non-profit animal shelter that operates out of a Winchendon business address and houses all of the animals with foster families until they can be adopted out.

Anne Eddy, the animal control officer in Winchendon, has headed the organization for the last nine years.

Eddy said she "feels it is time to find a few hours of the week for herself," in a press release.

"We don't know anyone who deserves it more. Day or night, week in and week out, Anne has been there for both animals and people who have needed her," states the press release from Twiraga. "Happily Anne will still be a busy volunteer sharing with us her years of training and expertise. Her years of selfless service have been invaluable in establishing Ahimsa as a premier no-kill animal rescue organization in our area. We look forward to our continued expansion based on the principles established by Anne. Our heartfelt gratitude to you Anne."

Twiraga has been very involved with Ahimsa for the last two years and has worked closely with Eddy for the past year.

Nancy Regan, of Winchendon, will serve as interim vice president. Regan has worked with Ahimsa for the past five years spending four of them as the fund raising coordinator. Also on the Ahimsa Board are Gay Houghton, of Ashburnham, serving as secretary, as well as Sara Savage and Kaaren Scanio, both of Winchendon.

The group is looking for land in the area to build a facility.

One of the properties the group is considering in Ashburnham. The goal would be to get enough land that the animals don't become a nuisance to anyone who is abutting the property and that the organization can keep up to 40 dogs and a yet to be determined amount of cats and small animals, Twiraga said in an interview in August.