Board of Directors
- Vondelle McLaughlin, Shelter Director
A lifelong animal lover who grew 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 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, Executive Director
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 is always available to complete any task needed, from cleaning cages to public education and outreach, to collaborating with various government agencies and tracking the permits required to keep the shelter running and in good order. He is vital to the operation and success of WFRS. - Chris Clemens, 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 done an excellent job serving as Vice President and has been invaluable in the operations and success of the shelter. She is animals-first and whole-heartedly committed to the shelter and its mission. - Dr. Summer Krook, Vice President
Dr. Summer Krook has an Ed. D. in Leadership, an MS in Leadership, and a BA 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. Summer Krook will continue collaborating with other Board Members in planning and coordinating fundraising events throughout the year, managing the shelter's social media accounts, and liaising with local corporate donors. - Dr. Holly Carter DVM, 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 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. - Kenn Krook, Assistant Treasurer
Kenn has an MBA with a minor in change leadership, an MS in Project Management, and an MS in Healthcare Administration with an emphasis on leadership. He was also a Sergeant in the US Army before leaving service to be a federal employee managing a budget for the Department of Engineers. He adopted his first ferret Rickie when he was 15, and has been a volunteer and foster parent for more than a decade.
As assistant treasurer, he will combine his love of ferrets with his leadership experience, knowledge managing budgets and his experience creating medical systems. - Rachelle Myers, Foster Coordinator
Rachelle previously served as our Records Manager. In her new position, Rachelle will coordinate with her team to ensure the needs of our foster parents are met. She will continue to be the point person for surrenders and arrange for transports with her team. - Mevima Winn, Records Manager & Webmaster
Mev has been fostering for the shelter since 2017, and since then, along with their wife, has become one of the main foster/hospice homes for our most medically fragile ferrets. They provide compassionate end-of-life care and ensure every ferret has an opportunity to be loved in a forever home no matter how brief that may be. - 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. - Dr. Izzy Holford DVM, Board Member at Large
Dr. Holford serves on the shelter Medical Committee working alongside our Medical Director. She assists with evaluations and vaccinations, and teams with our Medical Director on decisions related to the ferrets' care.