Leadership Team

Safe Place for Pets has two part-time employees, Program Director and Cat Care Coordinator. All other roles are filled by supportive volunteers.

NOW HIRING: CANINE COORDINATOR

A NEW CHAPTER FOR SAFE PLACE

October brings some important transitions to the Safe Place for Pets family, and we want to take a moment to celebrate the people who have given so much to our mission.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Heath Conley and Dylan Zayas for their dedicated service to Safe Place and to the animals and families we serve.

Heath will leave Safe Place on October 10 as he and his family begin an exciting new adventure in Florida. We wish them much happiness and success in this next chapter.

Dylan will depart on October 16. We congratulate him on his marriage and wish him all the best as he pursues his future personal and career goals. We are especially grateful for the care and compassion he has shown the cats entrusted to Safe Place.

We are also delighted to announce that Joanne Barry has accepted the role of Program Director, moving from her position as Volunteer Coordinator. Joanne has already begun working in her new role, and we hope everyone will join us in congratulating and supporting her as she takes on this important responsibility.

During the transition, Carole Casner will temporarily rejoin our Leadership Team to support staff and help ensure our new positions receive the training and support needed for success.

Safe Place for Pets has always been powered by people who generously give their time, talents, and hearts to our mission. If you would like to become more involved or take on additional volunteer responsibilities, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Joanne Barry at joanne@safeplacepets.org or Angela Mehsling, Board Member and Volunteer People & Operations Director, at Angela@safeplacepets.org.

Please join us in thanking Heath and Dylan, congratulating Joanne, welcoming Carole back, and supporting the Safe Place team as we begin this next chapter together.  

Joanne Barry, Program Director

Joanne brings a passion for service, organization, and teamwork to her role as Program Director for Safe Place for Pets. A dedicated advocate for both people and animals, she is known for her proactive approach, attention to detail, and ability to build strong relationships. Joanne’s commitment to collaboration and creating meaningful experiences helps ensure that Safe Place for Pets can continue its mission of caring for beloved pets when their owners can no longer do so.

CAROLE CASNER

Carole has spent 23 years dedicated to helping those with no voice in the community, whether tow legged or four legged. Carole has a BA in Anthropology, a Certified Veterinary Assistant license from Pima Medical, and spent a year at Bel-Rea Institute of Veterinary Technology in Denver.

Carole has worked in the surgery center at HSPPR for 6 years, 2 years a the Teller County Regional Animal Shelter as a kennel tech and volunteer trainer, over 2 years at Happy Cats Haven as the Cat Care/Medical Manager, and 6 years at Safe Place as Cat Care Coordinator and Program Director. Currently, Carole volunteers at Catamount Wildlife Center in Woodland Park, and the Pet Cross as a vet tech on their mobile vet clinic serving low income pet owners. Carole has fostered 200+ special needs cats, kittens, and the occational dog.

In her free time, Carole spends time with her cat, Tory, her grandkids, and at her cabin outside of Divide.