Carrie Maness

Carrie is relatively new to the RVSPCA team, starting out as a Animal Care Technician in September 2022 and has recently moved into the Intake, Foster and Enrichment Coordinator role.  In this role, Carrie coordinates all aspects of the intake and foster process for both cats and dogs, as well as planning and implementing enrichment activities for the animals in the shelter. 

Carrie has Bachelor’s Degrees in Music and Art Education, but is in the process of pursuing certifications in canine behavior and training.  And before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, she worked for 4 years as a high school art and yearbook teacher at Craig County Public Schools.

Carrie shares her home with a sweet, but jealous, 9 year old border collie/pitbull mix named Kimchi and a 13 year old jerk of a cat named Anansi.  Because of this, she is not allowed to bring any more pets home from work!

Growing up Carrie was surrounded by animals of all types and they have always held a special place in her heart. After numerous different career paths she realized that she could combine her love of animals with work and as a result she enjoys coming into work everyday for doggie kisses and kitty snuggles.

Carrie can be reached at 540-339-9508 or via email.

C. Denise Hayes

Denise is the Chief Executive Officer for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. She is responsible for the overall management of the organization. At home, Denise has a rescued dog, Polly, who also serves as an animal ambassador for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Prior to working at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Denise was a volunteer for our Foster Care program. She has a passion for helping animals in need within our community. To learn more about Denise, please visit her LinkedIn Profile.  Denise can be reached at 540-339-9500 or by email.

Erin Dams

Erin Dams is the Program Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Erin coordinates all aspects of the volunteer, humane education, and community cat programs, and assists with pet retention programs. Erin holds a degree in Communications from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in November 2021, Erin worked for six years at Trek Bicycle Company as a trainer for customer service and retail staff. Erin also was the Adoption Coordinator for Urban Cat Coalition, a Milwaukee-based cat rescue/community cat program, and the MidAtlantic Region Support Specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, helping advise shelters in six states on grant processes and establishing new programs.

Erin currently has two rescue pets: Thomas O’Malley, a brown tabby cat who loves dogs, but hates other cats, and Tito, a white cattle dog mix who loves all animals and is a great “mom” to foster kittens! Both were adopted from Wisconsin animal shelters. Erin joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA because she has a huge passion for pets (and their humans!) and continuous education. Erin can be contacted at 540-339-9503 or email. To learn more about Erin, please visit her LinkedIn Profile.

Dr. Jennifer McFarling

Dr. Jennifer McFarling is a Veterinarian and Medical Director for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Dr. McFarling looks after, coordinates, manages, and leads a team providing all aspects of animal care including medical, surgical and behavioral care. Dr. McFarling received her BS in Zoology from the University of Maryland and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA staff in 2005, Dr. McFarling spent two years as a Veterinarian in private practice. Dr. McFarling’s animal family includes five Roanoke Valley SPCA adoptees: Shelby, a beagle/dachshund mix, Gracie, a tri-pod Beagle mix, Harpo, Luke, and George, feline brothers. Dr. McFarling can be reached at 540-339-9509 or by email.

Julie Rickmond

Julie Rickmond is the Marketing and Communications Director with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Julie manages all aspects of advertising and marketing including media appearances, website and social media communications, and print design. Prior to joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Julie spent over 15 years as an Art Director for a national outdoor advertising agency in addition to running her own freelance graphic design & fine art business. Julie joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA in July 2020 and she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Virginia Tech.

She lives at home with her husband and their five fabulous rescued cats and one very goofy and loveable rescued Rottweiler. Julie joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA because she loves all animals and is especially passionate about finding homes for the pets in our community. Julie can be contacted at 540-339-9513 or email. To learn more about Julie, please visit her LinkedIn Profile.

Katie Nichols

As the Lead Intake, Foster, and Enrichment Coordinator for the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Katie works with our pets to ensure they are happy and healthy during their stay at the shelter, manages the foster program for our very young and special needs pets, and counsels members of the community on alternatives to relinquishment.  Katie has Bachelor’s Degrees in Archaeology and Art History and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Animal Behavior and Welfare.. 

Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in December 2018, Katie worked as a vet assistant with exotic and local zoo animals, but her heart is with rescue and conservation. Her long term goal is to work with large cats in a sanctuary setting.

Katie lives with 2 miniature schnauzers, Finley and Ava.  Katie can be reached at 540-339-9505 or email.

Lightning

Lightning is a Roanoke Valley SPCA Canine Ambassador who helps with our Humane Education and visiting Pets programs. Lightning was adopted from the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2022. As a puppy in at the shelter, he went to a wonderful foster home for a couple weeks so he could grow big and strong – and they fell in love with him and decided to adopt! Lightning is a mix of Belgian Malinois, Chinese Sharpei, German Shepherd, Australian Cattledog, and Red Bone Coonhound. Lightning is in training to become a Therapy Dog and volunteers as a Canine Ambassador at the RVSPCA with his mom. Lighting does agility training and hopes to compete in trials one day. He loves kisses, attention, and treats! If you’d like Lightning to visit your facility, please send an email to edams@rvspca.org.

Mary Carlin, CPA

Mary Carlin is the Finance Director at the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Mary is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2012, Mary worked in public accounting for 24 years and began working for the Roanoke Valley SPCA in February, 2012. In addition to her husband and three sons, Mary has three dogs: Dougal, Boone, and Pippa. Dougal and Pippa are Roanoke Valley SPCA adoptees. To learn more about Mary, please visit her LinkedIn Profile. She can be reached at 540-339-9501 or by email.

Nicole Hunts, CPA

Nicole Hunts is the Finance Assistant for the Roanoke Valley SPCA.  Nicole is a CPA with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Virginia Tech.  Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2019, Nicole worked in local government and public accounting for seven years.   At home Nicole’s family includes her husband, two children, and their Shih Tzu mix Bug.  

Ozzy Shively

Ozzy Shively is an Animal Care Technician who has been with the Roanoke Valley SPCA since May, 2015. He began his career here as an intern while attending William Byrd High School. Ozzy loves animals, and at home he has his best friend Bentley, an English Bulldog. Ozzy’s responsibilities include walking the dogs, cleaning their cages, feeding and watering them, and giving out lots of hugs and attention. In his off hours, Ozzy loves to travel and to spend time with family and friends. Ozzy can be reached by email.

Rebecca Westbrook

Rebecca Westbrook is Animal Care Technician at the Roanoke Valley SPCA. She has been working at RVSPCA since August 17, 2015 and loves working at the RVSPCA to give all the animals extra love before they go into there forever home. Rebecca was a volunteer prior to joining the staff.  She has a Roanoke Valley SPCA alumni dog, a poodle mix named Lindsey. Rebecca can be reached by email.

Ruth Pierce

Ruth is the Program Manager with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Ruth oversees the Adoption, Volunteer, Community Outreach and Humane Education programs. Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA, Ruth worked with the Chesapeake Public Library and Roanoke County Library systems. Ruth started as a volunteer for the Roanoke Valley SPCA in 2005 and joined the staff in April 2010. Ruth holds an Associates of Arts degree, certifications in Humane Education and Volunteer Management through the Humane Society of the United States. Ruth’s family includes four dogs, Gracie, Sofia, Lily Rose and Fiona Mae, 4 cats, Max, Clarice, Bitty Kitty and Clementine, and lots of chickens.  Ruth works at the Roanoke Valley SPCA because of her love of pets. Ruth can be reached at 540-339-9506 or by email.

Sofia

Sofia came to the Roanoke Valley SPCA in June of 2016.  It was quickly apparent that she was not the typical Chihuahua. This girl loves everyone she meets! Not surprisingly, she was adopted by a staff member. It was not long after she found her forever home that Sofia started working as a Roanoke Valley SPCA Ambassador. In her role, she participates in a variety of Humane Education Programs and the Visiting Pet Program.  Sofia and her friend and co-ambassador Lightning are favorites of the residents they visit at the various assisted living facilities in the region. Her portable size allows residents to hold her for the many kisses Sofia grants. Sofia also visits area schools with our Humane Education staff to teach kids about the importance of compassion towards animals and people. She likes to make appearances at schools, birthday parties, summer camp sessions, and senior centers and anywhere she can make a new friend! Sofia has never met a stranger. Sofia can be reached at 540-339-9506 or email her mom.

Stephanie Kennedy

Stephanie Kennedy is the Veterinary Assistant with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In this role, Stephanie, looks after all aspects of the shelter clinic, including assisting before and after surgeries, updating medical records, and supporting the veterinarian and LVT during animal examinations. Stephanie joined the Roanoke Valley SPCA because she loves animals and wants to make a difference. She believes that every animal deserves to be loved and to have a happy home, and Stephanie wants to be a part of their journey.

Before joining the Roanoke Valley SPCA in August of 2022, Stephanie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from San Jose State University in California. She worked for 5 years in retail as an inventory and office manager of a multi-million dollar company. Prior to that, Stephanie worked as an Animal Control Officer at her local animal shelter where she enforced city municipal codes and state laws regarding animal welfare, processed adoptions, and maintained the animal shelter facilities. 

Stephanie has four cats named Jack, Flynn, Mylie, and Kaiah along with four dogs named Cooper, Bella, Frynch, and Fritter who are all very well traveled as they moved with Stephanie from California to Virginia. Stephanie can be contacted at skennedy@rvspca.org or 540-339-9507.

Tammy Light, LVT

Tammy is a Licensed Veterinary Technician with the Roanoke Valley SPCA. In her role she leads the animal care team and oversees the health and cleanliness of our facility. In addition to her duties in our full service clinic. At home, Tammy has an energetic rescued chihuahua named Benny. To learn more about Tammy, please visit her LinkedIn Profile. She can be reached at 540-339-9507 or by email.