Joe Murphy is the new executive director of the Chilton County Humane Society.

The humane society’s board of directors approved Murphy for the position about two weeks ago, and Wednesday was his first day on the job.

“Initially, I want to reduce the overcrowding and the sickness,” Murphy said Thursday. “I just want to keep the animals happy and healthy.”

The New Jersey native comes to Chilton County from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, where he worked as an animal cruelty investigator. He has been in the industry for a little more than 10 years.

Starting in the late ‘90s, Murphy worked at a veterinary hospital in Louisville, Ky. Later, he was an animal control officer for the city of Indianapolis, a position he held for about four years.

Murphy, who has assisted extensively with animal cruelty cases in Chilton County, said he is looking forward to working with local animal control officers as he settles into the community.

“I would also like to increase fundraising and adoptions,” he added.

Colleen Kennedy, president of the humane society’s board of directors, said Murphy’s experience would be a great asset to the shelter. She also said former director Paula Jo Mattingly would continue to work with the organization.

“Paula has done a wonderful job. She has made huge improvements,” Kennedy said. “We just felt that to bring the shelter to the next level, we needed someone with previous kennel management experience, and Joe does have that.”