Board of Directors
- Vondelle McLaughlin, Onsite Shelter Director
A systems engineer and lifelong animal lover, Vondelle McLaughlin had grown up on a farm in Maine and worked in a wildlife rescue before life drew her to the West Coast. She began extensively researching ferret health and psychology after acquiring her first ferret, the a biter named "Lucifer," at a pet store. That research led her to volunteer at WFRS as a cage cleaner. Her skills with behavioral assessment, innate empathy with animals and an uncanny knack for matching the right ferret with the right prospective adopter quickly became evident. She has served as WFRS shelter director, behavioral specialist and adoption advisor since 2006. - Kevin Farlee, Board President
Kevin Farlee has been president of WFRS since 2006 and a ferret owner since 2002. He first visited the shelter in 2003, adopting a beautiful pair of sable ferrets. He takes care of lots of various tasks, from cleaning cages to public education and outreach, to keeping up with the various government agencies and permits required to keep the shelter running in good order. On weekdays, Kevin can be found at Microsoft, where he is a program manager in the SQL Server database product group. - Chris Clemens, Board Vice President
Chris graduated from Pima Medical Institute with her LWT degree in 2014. She brought home her first ferret in 2015, then got a ferret for her ferret, and the rest is history. She has a variety of mammals, reptiles, and arachnids, and is an invaluable member of the WFRS team. - Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM, Secretary
- Holly Carter, BVetMed, Medical Director
Dr. Carter has worked for the last 11 years in small animal and exotic practices in the Puget Sound area, and in Essex England.. She obtained her veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, in 2000. While there, she was active in the Zoological Society, serving it as president during her 4th year. She conducted research on iguana husbandry and paramyxo virus in snakes. She also earned a coveted spot in the exotics elective course at the London Zoo, and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park. - Summer Krook, Fundraising Coordinator
Dr. Summer Krook has an Ed. D. in Leadership and a degree in Psychology. She has been a ferret owner since 2000, and a foster and hospice parent for 14 years. She offers a forever home to ferrets with the most complex health care needs. Dr. Krook is responsible for planning and coordinating fundraising events throughout the year, managing the shelter's social media accounts, and liaising with local corporate donors. - Izzy Holford, DVM, Board Member at large
Dr. Holford graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and is now an accomplished small mammal surgeon with a special interest in ferrets and birds. She became a foster parent in 2020 to a baby boy (ferret) with special needs. - Rachelle Myers, Records Manager
- Lyra Reynolds, Facilities Manager
Lyra took her first ferret home from work in 2017, after a coworker found him in their parking lot. To make sure he wasn't someone's lost pet, she brought him to the shelter, swearing to adopt him if he wasn't claimed. Three weeks later, she brought him home for good, and started her journey as a foster home for high-needs ferrets.