The Staff at the Humane Society of Jefferson County

Kira

Kira

Kira is a wonderful representative of all the HSJC ambassadors who have helped raise awareness about shelter pets and adoption. They have all played an important role in providing humane education and inspiring kindness and respect for animals.

Tom DeLadurantey, Executive Director

Tom provides leadership for all aspects of HSJC operations. His responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day activities, ensuring adherence to shelter policies and practices, managing shelter finances, supporting staff and volunteers, engaging with members of the community, and much more.

Heather Traxler, Shelter Manager

Heather manages all aspects of animal care operations, oversees our team of Animal Care Specialists, works closely with our veterinary team, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Volunteer Assistant, and serves as liaison between all shelter staff. She ensures compliance with safety procedures and all State and Federal regulations regarding the care of animals and scheduled medical supplies.

Madison Cummings, Fundraising and Outreach Coordinator

Whether she is at the shelter or visiting schools, youth groups, libraries, colleges, businesses, and churches, Madison is busy providing humane education to the citizens of Jefferson County. She organizes all of our fundraising events and works to develop new opportunities for people to support the care of lost, homeless, and abused animals in our community.

Taylor Vehlow, Volunteer Coordinator

Taylor leads our dedicated team of HSJC volunteers, overseeing their invaluable contributions across all areas of shelter operations. From dog walking to laundry duty, feline care at PetSmart to event assistance, our volunteers are essential to our mission, and Taylor ensures their efforts run smoothly. With Taylor’s guidance, our volunteers make a significant impact on the lives of our shelter animals and the community.

Sam Maurice, Computer Administrator

Sam serves as the virtual voice of the shelter, connecting with supporters on various social media platforms, creating biographies for adoptable animals, keeping our website up-to-date, and assisting with other communications and publications such as our newsletter. Sam also provides general tech support and savvy, as well as graphic and design work for social media and the HSJC website.

Dr. Kellie Kuzdas, DVM, Dr. Linda Teeter, DVM, Emily Michel, Animal Medical Technician (AMT), Chandra Gates, Animal Medical Assistant (AMA)

Thanks to our veterinary team all dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, and rabbits are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Dr. Kellie and Dr. Teeter perform spay and neuter surgeries at the shelter every week, as well as surgery and treatment for ill and injured animals. They also administers rabies vaccinations, performs health exams, and issues health certificates for our adoptable canines. Emily and Chandra are experienced professionals who assist Dr. Kellie and Dr. Teeter in providing surgical and medical care to the animals at our shelter.

Kendall Sypult, Community Cat Coordinator

Kendall manages the HSJC Community Cat program which provides free spay/neuter, vaccinations, and parasite treatment for stray, feral, and barn or “working” cats. Her duties include promoting TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Release) to community members, connecting with property owners, and coordinating the capture, sterilization, and return of outside cats.

Chandra and kittens
ls renee and rabbit
ls vet staff2
ls kim with dog

Emily Altreuter, Cheyenne Bohmann, Michele Buell, Emily Charter, Jordan Gehl, Gina Groskopf, Tav Haines, Hailey Johnson, Abby Klein, Dawn Krueger, Kim Laughnan, Amy Lutzke, Alyssa Ostrenga, Renee Stodola, Alyssa Wollenzien, Animal Care Specialists

Our remarkably dedicated caregivers work very hard to provide conscientious and compassionate care to every animal at the HSJC. Cleaning and disinfecting cages and kennels, administering medications, assessing animal behavior, tailoring animal care to individual needs, and providing 24-hour stray pick-ups are just a few of their many duties. Through the tireless efforts of the HSJC’s “Dream Team,” every animal receives top notch care in a clean, comfortable and loving environment.

Donna Ciciva, Office/Adoption Coordinator, Jessie Barden, Gina Groskopf, Ophelie Letourneau, Angie Reeder, and Sarah Schueler, Office/Adoption Assistants

Our adoptions team provides excellent service to visitors and callers while juggling the multitude of administrative tasks that are essential to shelter operations.  These very busy women also coordinate all animal intakes and adoptions, serve as adoption counselors, and do their utmost to ensure that our animals are placed in loving and permanent homes.

David Fredrick, Custodian/Groundskeeper

David’s skills help to keep our facility in tip top shape.  His “behind the scenes” expertise ensures that the building and grounds provide optimal comfort and safety for our animals, staff and visitors.