Carmen Ronio, the Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) executive director since 2000, stepped down from his role today, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Ronio, 79, made his decision following a two-part Inquirer investigation published last month. The articles chronicled the SPCA’s deep-pocketed financial status, euthanasia practices, understaffing, and poor conditions at its Conshohocken, Perkiomenville, and Abington Township facilities.

According to the story, Ronio makes $250,000 a year, which accounted for nearly 10% of shelter’s operational costs in recent years.

SPCA board president April Lownes-Hostler told the Inquirer that the board has not yet named Ronio’s successor and that a newly formed management committee that will “provide greater day-to-day support and supervision of the leadership team” at the shelter.

She also said facility improvements are underway and the board has hired a firm to investigate the shelter’s practices, conduct interviews with staff, and make recommendations.

“We know this has been a difficult time for MCSPCA employees and other critical stakeholders, but we’re confident we’re going to emerge stronger and more committed to our mission than ever before,” Lownes-Hostler’s statement said.

After the Inquirer report, volunteers and animal welfare advocates launched a campaign calling for reform. A Change.org petition titled “Save the Animals, Change the Management!” is also circulating in response to the Inquirer’s articles. 2,883 have signed at the time of this writing.

Last week, volunteers and workers with the MCSPCA staged a protest, claiming there were problems with the kennel conditions for the animals, sanitary issues, and a high euthanasia rate.

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