Our very special guest and weekly program speaker on Friday, March 22nd was Kathleen Olson, Assistant District Governor Area J and District Governor Nominee Designate and will serve as District Governor in 2026-27 who talked about "Animal Welfare In Action." Working with The Humane Society of the United States and The HSUS Animal Rescue team to help save animals who are victims of animal cruelty or neglect and from natural disasters. They assist in the ongoing care of rescued dogs and cats while providing safe animal handling, feeding, enrichment preparation, kennel cleaning to administrative tasks, all utilizing animal rescue volunteers.
They use a "Fear Free" approach to slowly encourage dogs to relax and trust humans. These pets stay at the center for as long as they're making progress, however small to prepare them for adoption.
Who can Volunteer? All volunteers must be at least 18 years old, meet the essential capabilities requirements to work with dogs and cats, pass a criminal background check, complete Fear Free Sheltering Training; complete FEMA 100, 200 & 700 Disaster Training and have some experience caring for pets.
There is so much more to read that you can go to Purrfect Pals Cat Adoption Centers for more details. Animal Rescue Organizations in Snohomish and Skagit Counties include the Everett Animal Services Municipal Shelter; NOAH Animal Adoption Center and Spay & Neuter Clinic; Pasado's Safe Haven; Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Animal Shelters and Wildlife Center; Sarvey Wildlife Center, Humane Society of Skagit Valley and Purrfect Pals Cat Adoption Centers.
Kathleen's classification is Animal Welfare and she has been involved since 1998 starting out at Pt. Defiance Zoological Society, Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County and Purrfect Pals Cat Adoption Center. Kathleen joined the Tacoma #8 Rotary Club in 1994 and was Club President 2004-2005, moving to the Marysville Rotary Club in 2018 and transferred to the Arlington Rotary Club in 2021 closer to home and work. Kathleen is a Paul Harris Fellow X8Xand a Rotary Foundation Benefactor.