Citizens appointed to Animal Services Advisory Panel
Posted on March 10, 2010The Pierce County Auditor's Office has selected 12 members of the public to serve on the new Animal Services Advisory Panel. This diverse panel will provide recommendations to the auditor, who oversees animal control services in unincorporated Pierce County and the towns of Wilkeson, South Prairie and Carbonado, as well as coordination with community partners.
"The advisory panel members will provide diverse technical expertise and represent the variety of interest groups concerned with animal welfare," said Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson. "The panel will help our Animal Services division create policy, manage conflict and provide a coordinated, community response to animal control issues." Beginning this month, the advisory panel will meet the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in Conference Room A at the Pierce County Annex. Following is a list of the appointees, and the area of expertise each represents:
Bob Walter - At-Large Member #1
Eatonville resident, animal behavior educator, pet adoption counselor & animal advocate who was a Director of Humane Education for 27 years and a pet advice publicist for 13 years. Bob is a member of the Town of Eatonville Animal Control Committee & the Animal Care Eatonville Volunteer Animal Advocacy Group, and has a strong background in coordinating seminars on animal abuse and treatment for animal abusers.
Kris Dessen - At-Large Member #2
Spanaway resident and Public Relations Officer for LESA, the Pierce County 911 and law enforcement dispatch center. She owns three cats and two dogs and promotes responsible animal ownership and community safety.
Brian Nelson - Welfare Organization Member #1
Lakewood resident and co-founder of Kindred Souls Foundation, which provides sanctuary to dogs and cats with a holistic approach to care with plans to open a no-kill animal shelter and an off-leash dog park. Brian will focus on resolving pet overpopulation with spay and neuter education, accountability for irresponsible ownership and improved laws.
Patty Rusnak - Welfare Organization Member #2
Lakewood resident and recipient of the National Animal Control Association’s Diane Lane Award for 2008, advisory member for Food for Four Legged Friends (formerly Seniors with Pets) and Vice President of Coalition: HUMaNE Spay & Neuter Clinic in Tacoma.
George Robison - Non-Animal Owner
Purdy resident who was an instructor for law enforcement, including brand inspectors and animal control. George serves as president of the Key Peninsula Lions Club and is a long-standing animal supporter dedicated to serving the public.
Jackie Mitchell - Pet Related Business Owner
Tacoma resident, dog day-care, grooming and kennel owner for five years, and 10 years experience working for local veterinary hospitals. Jackie has firsthand experience working with animals that live in abusive situations and wants to give a voice to animals that will ensure quality safety.
Kathy Richardson - Horse Owner
Roy resident and horse facility owner who owned and operated two pet stores for 15 years in Snohomish County. During that time she also owned and bred exotic birds. While on the advisory board for the City of Everett, Kathy was part of a ruling which allowed for surprise inspections, enforced immediate veterinary care for surely debilitated animals and set strong guidelines for animal protection.
Lisa Woods - Veterinarian
Gig Harbor resident and owner of a veterinary hospital for 16 years. Lisa owns horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and goats and would like public safety and community awareness involving attacks on pet livestock to be key items address as a panel member.
Lorrie Kalmbach Ehlers -Owner of pet other than dog, cat or horse
Port Orchard resident, president of Bulls Eye Dog Rescue, executive director of Coalition: HUMAnE, and 10 years of volunteer work in animal welfare issues. Lorrie is a member of Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue and has owned horses, dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, goats and birds.
Nedda Turner - Health Department Representative
Spanaway resident and coordinator of the Zoonotic Disease Program at the Pierce County Health Department focusing on rabies, West Nile, hantavirus, psittacosis and other emerging zoonotic diseases. Nedda owns three horses, two dogs and cat, and has volunteered at the Dog-A Thon at Steilacoom Park as well as the Humane Society.
Susan Peterson - Purebred Registry Member
University Place resident that has raised and shown pure bred dogs for more than 30 years. Patty is an American Kennel Club and English Cocker Spaniel Club of America member that would like educate the public and council members on animal issues.
The Tacoma / Pierce County Humane Society
The County Auditor has also invited Kathleen Olson, the Executive Director of the Humane Society, to join the Advisory Panel as an ex-officio (non-voting) member. The Humane Society has the largest animal welfare and adoption presence in Pierce County and holds a sole-source contract for shelter and licensing services with Pierce County. Kathleen is a Tacoma resident with a passion for community collaboration for animal welfare. She is a member of the Puyallup Fair Foundation, the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators and the Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control.
Vacant - Representative of Jurisdiction Receiving Services
An elected official or staff member of a town or city that contracts with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office for animal control services.
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