Meet Our Staff

Administrative Staff

Executive Director – William M. Watson, Jr.    

William M. Watson, Jr. has been Executive Director of the RVSPCA since, June, 2006. Prior to that, Bill served on the Board of Directors, involved with the finance committee and serving as Vice President. Bill brings a unique perspective to the position, having been formally trained as an attorney. He is also a devoted animal lover, sharing his home with wife Shelly, a sheltie, a collie, and three cats.
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Staff Veterinarian – Dr. Jennifer McFarling

Dr. Jennifer McFarling came to the RVSPCA from private practice in August, 2005. She graduated from VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003 and has found shelter medicine to be both thrilling and challenging. Dr. McFarling works tirelessly on behalf of the animals at the shelter, overseeing medical care, recommending treatment options for the behavioral issues most shelter animals face, and providing training in proper cleaning and sanitizing methods.
Dr. McFarling remarked, “working with all the animals is what I like best about my job. These very deserving animals seem so grateful for the attention they receive, both medically and socially. They maintain the best attitudes in spite of having experienced some very difficult situations/circumstances.”
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Director of Finance - Mary Carlin

Mary Carlin brings 24 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant to the position of Director of Finance for the RVSPCA and its affiliates.  She was attracted to the position because of her love of animals and respect for the organization.  She hopes that her work at the facility will help to bring about a positive change in the lives of many homeless animals.  Mary is married, with three children and two dogs.  She enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking the parkway and traveling.  Email

Director of Adoption Services - Tracy Smith

Tracy Smith brings many years of experience as an adoption manager with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (FL), Inc.  Tracy will be in charge of all adoption services, including on-site promotions and off-site adoption events.  She brings excitement and a fresh perspective to the RVSPCA and is committed to leading and expanding the adoption efforts of the organization to save more lives.   Tracy and her husband are pet parents to 5 cats and 4 dogs and provide foster care on a regular basis.  Email
 

 Behaviorist - Mary Marr  

Mary Marr is the Animal Behaviorist.  One of her main duties is to perform temperament testing on dogs and cats who are either being relinquished by their owners or being transferred to the RVSPCA from the municipal animal control facility. Mary also works with the potential adopter to make sure he is making the right choice of pet for his lifestyle.  Mary has a degree in Psychology from Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA.  The family has always had pets and her mother is a dog trainer, so Mary has grown up with animals and solving troubling behaviors her entire life.

She welcomes the chance to help solve any bad behaviors so that the pet is able to stay in the home rather than being given up.  She also works closely with the Regional Center for Animal Control & Protection to place as many pets as possible with rescue groups or in homes.  Email

Foster Coordinator - Angie Troup

Angie Troup joined the staff after serving as a foster family for many cats and kittens, dogs and puppies.  She knows from personal experience how addictive fostering can be and what types of support are needed to make the experience successful for the families as well as the pets in their care.  Fostering saves lives and is often the only chance that infant or orphaned animals have to grow and thrive and become valued members of someone's household.  Angie, her husband Dan and their twin boys continue to foster and have become "foster failures" themselves.  She shares her home with two dogs, two cats and two guinea pigs.  Angie welcomes all questions concerning the foster process and how to become a member of our team of dedicated temporary caregivers.  She can be reached by email.

Volunteer Coordinator - Ruth Pierce

Ruth Pierce is the Volunteer Coordinator. A familiar face around the shelter, Ruth is a long-time volunteer and foster parent. Ruth has volunteered at most of the events and can bring a unique perspective to recruiting and motivating this most important part of our workforce. Ruth's calm nature, organizational skills and sense of humor will serve her well in this position.
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Director of Development - Carolyn Schwanhausser

Carolyn Schwanhausser brings 25 years of experience in the non-profit world to the position of Director of Development. She was most recently employed as the Director of Development & Alumni Relations for the Jefferson Center Foundation.  Previously she has worked at Ferrum College and the Science Museum of Western Virginia in a similar capacity.  Carolyn is the proud grandparent of two little boys and one large, goofy dog named Wilbur.  
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Director of Marketing & Special Events – Kathy Perdue

Kathy Perdue oversees the organization’s fundraising activities including special events, and on-line giving, and maintains the website.  In addition, she is involved with the public relations activities of the RVSPCA, is editor of the Paw Street Journal, the quarterly RVSPCA newsletter, and the Paw Print, the bi-monthly e-newsletter.  Committed to seeing that all animals get the loving homes they deserve, Kathy is the proud pet-parent of four cats (2 RVSPCA alumni), and a lab-mix (RVSPCA adoptee.)  She is a regular foster parent and has provided a temporary home for over 200 cats, kittens kittens and adult canines needing respite from the shelter environment.
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Support Staff

Dr. Janice Annis is the part-time veterinarian.

April Hartz is a Licensed Veterinary Technician and is assistant to the staff veterinarian.

Jennifer Reed is the assistant to the veterinary staff.

Belinda Kujawinski is assistant to the Director of Finance & Human Resources

ReBecca Franklin is Assistant to the Development, Marketing & Special Events. 

Christie Kang is the front desk clerk, facilitating adoptions.

Anne Minter  PetSmart Adoption Counselor/Kennel Attendant responsible for the care of the cats & kittens available for adoption at PetSmart.

Lori Mills is the Kennel Supervisor, watching over the day-to-day care of the animals.

Christina Baker, Shaun Craft, Beverly Davis, Jeanne Kane, Amanda Mason, Amanda Medina, Doris Minnix, and Morgan Puruczky  are the Animal Attendants, responsible for the daily care and treatment of the animals at the RVSPCA.