Board Members

Karen was born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio. Educated at The Ohio State University, both she and her husband have shared a career in optometry in Central New York’s Finger Lakes while raising two daughters. She retired from her career as an optometrist in December of 2019 after they decided to leave cold and cloudy New York and move to Green Valley to be close to their baby granddaughter. Having saved her first of many kittens from a horse barn in NY, Karen contacted Paws Patrol to offer to be a foster before embarking on the big move. Paws Patrol welcomed her with open paws; she had kittens before the moving truck arrived.  

A long-time board member and past president of NAMI Syracuse (National Alliance on Mental Illness), over the last few years, Karen’s advocacy for mental illness awareness has shifted more toward those who truly can’t speak for themselves: kitties. She now spends her time writing novels, fostering cats, watching her granddaughter, and traveling the earth in search of the many creatures with whom she has the honor of sharing this world.

In 2014 a tabby and white stray showed up in the neighborhood. He roamed from neighbor to neighbor, being fed for several months. I went so far as to make him a wool bed during that winter freeze. He was not feral and had belonged to someone as he kept trying to come in the house. My neighbor told me about Paws Patrol, and she said they could probably help trap and neuter him. Patti brought a trap out and told me they could find him a good home or bring him back to me. I had fallen for him, a big male with a stub for a tail, so I took him back and named him Stubbi.

In February 2015 I started volunteering at Paws Patrol. I am a people person and having managed a Customer Service department I enjoy interacting with people who come in looking for their forever fur companion. In addition to being at the office on Wednesdays I foster, am the Volunteer/Staffing and Adoption Coordinator. I so enjoy being a part of Paws Patrol and finding homes for our kitties.

I’ve always been a lover of cats. When I was almost finished with college I was able to adopt my first kitty. Since then I’ve always had at least one cat. I retired from a career in HR, payroll and accounting. In 2020, when we became tired of Oregon winters we moved to Green Valley. We enjoy the ability to get outside almost all year round.

One of the first things we did after settling into our house here was to adopt a kitten from Paws Patrol. He had been so lovingly fostered that he was a real joy to have in our home and great entertainment at a time when we were somewhat isolated.

When the pandemic lifted I started looking for somewhere to volunteer. I found out that Paws Patrol was in need of a treasurer and I knew I had the skills to help. We have also had the privilege of fostering our first litter of kittens. During this process we also adopted our second kitty.

It is a joy to work with people who are so passionate about helping our fuzzy friends.

I grew up in Phoenix but left to California for UCLA and a tech career at age 17.  After 30 demanding and thrilling years in the industry, my husband and I retired to Green Valley where land is vast and stress is low.  Within a month I was desperate for work and realized I could finally offer my body and spirit to animals and elders in need.

I picked animal rescue first.  I chose Paws Patrol, not because it was near but because I respected the mission and the people who’d started it and gave their souls to the work.  In February 2017 I began volunteering… scooping poop, scrubbing floors and petting kitties.  6 years hence I’ve never doubted I made the right choice.

I guess because I’m brave I picked up the role of Trapping and Working Cat coordinator a few years ago.  Definitely NOT low stress.  In the role, I collect cats from at-risk situations, no matter how feral, and do my best to get them healthcare and long-term placements.  This is a job I love and sometimes grieve because not all wild cats make it through.  Every day is exciting and many are rewarding.  Glad to be part of the Paws Patrol family.

Bio coming soon.

Kim was born and raised in Chatham, New Jersey. In 1980, Kim was hired by Allied-Signal Inc. (now Honeywell). Kim was transferred from the company’s Corporate Headquarters in N.J. to its Corporate Data Center in Arizona in 1994. At the time, she was a Financial Analyst. She continued with Allied until 1998. Between 1998 and 2002, Kim fostered cats and kittens and sold fine jewelry. In 2002, Kim moved to Green Valley with her husband Allan. Kim volunteered at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum as a docent until 2007, when she had to stop due to a debilitating car accident.

Once back on her feet again in 2009, Kim decided it was time to begin volunteering where her passion has always been, which is with cats and dogs. She started volunteering as a dog handler with The Animal League of Green Valley (TALGV) and soon after became a Dog Coordinator. Over the years her duties expanded to include being the Volunteer Coordinator, an Adoption Counselor, and the Coordinator for the Dog Vet Care for Life Program. She began serving on TALGV’s Board of Directors in 2012. In 2020, Kim was elected President/CEO of TALGV, and she currently continues in that role.

When not performing TALGV duties, Kim enjoys walking her dogs, reading, and shopping. She is an equal opportunity adopter. She currently owns two rescued cats, Whispurr and Mischief, and two dogs, Jewel and Canella.