Sara Price, Executive Director
Sara’s drive and dedication show in everything she does: she’ll be the first to tell you she likes to keep busy! After an early career in business development and management consulting, Sara transitioned to the non-profit sector so that she could use her skills to do good in the world. Sara explains, “I joined an animal welfare organization as a cat care volunteer, and I was hooked! Not only did I love caring for the animals, but I could see that the industry was changing and seeking new ways to improve the lives of animals… I knew animal welfare was where I wanted to be.” In addition to making animal welfare her career, Sara has continued volunteering. She now serves as the President of Seattle Flying Dragons Boat Club, with whom she competes locally, regionally and Internationally. At home, Sara and her partner Denis share their home with two kitty siblings: Velvet, a friendly gray cat with stunning green eyes, and Rory, a scaredy cat who absolutely loves his flying bird feather toys. When she’s not working with nonprofits, Sara enjoys dragon boating, outrigger canoe paddling, hiking in the PNW, designing and crafting beaded jewelry, and reading.
Corrie McDonald, Shelter and Care Manager
Corrie is a true feline enthusiast, sharing her home with four cats of her own. Corrie’s lifelong love for cats, nurtured by her upbringing surrounded by animals and a chance encounter with a stray cat during her childhood, fueled her passion for cat care. After the passing of her old man cat, the feeling of wanting to get involved and help kitties in need started tugging at her—leading to her joining the SAFe Rescue Team. In her free time, Corrie can often be found diving into deep rabbit holes of knowledge and exploring new topics.
Cody Westfall, Adoption Center Manager / Retention Specialist
Cody’s connection with SAFe Rescue started years ago when she saw a cat named “Zippy” posted for adoption. Although this black cat was senior and missing some fur, Cody knew she was the one! Adopting Zippy turned out to be only the first step of Cody’s journey with SAFe Rescue. Cody explains: “After my newly adopted cat was all settled in, I started volunteering… And then later I started fostering… And then began my role as an adoption counselor!” As part of the Adoptions Team, Cody particularly enjoys matching cats with families and supporting humans and felines through the transition. Shy cats will always have a special place in Cody’s heart, and black cats too! Cody currently shares her home with foster triumphs Gandalf and Gabriela and Mr. Fred, who are all black or tuxedo kitties. When she’s not hard at work for the Rescue or spending time with her family, Cody explores her creative side. Her favorite hobbies are jewelry-making, encaustic and mixed media painting, and all kinds of crafts.
Scout Wesselman, Development, Communications, & Volunteer Manager
Scout has always connected with cats, but adopting her tuxedo cat, Toby, in college taught her what companionship truly means. His steady love helped inspire her path into nonprofit work. Though Toby has passed, his spirit lives on through Scout’s current kitties, Salem and Leo.
As SAFe’s Development and Communications Manager, Scout blends storytelling, data, creativity, and community-focused problem-solving to support cats and the people who love them. She is especially drawn to work that builds connection, strengthens systems, and makes thoughtful care possible. Outside of work, she’s usually thrift shopping for cute outfits and trinkets or searching the beach for carnelians and agates.
Dr. Tessa King (DVM), Veterinarian
Dr. King has always had a passion for improving the quality of life for animals, which drives her work as SAFe’s Veterinarian. Since graduating from WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002, she has gained experience across various settings, including shelter work, relief work, general practice, and end-of-life care. When it comes to the kitties at the Rescue, she finds fulfillment in seeing the tangible impact of her work. “You have the ability to help more animals in a short period of time,” she says, adding that it is rewarding to be involved in every step of their journey—from intake, through their medical treatments, to adoption day. Dr. King also just really likes spending time with cats, and her dedication ensures that each one receives the best care possible.
When she’s not at the rescue, she enjoys spending her free time at the barn visiting her horse, Farrah, or tending to her garden. She is also a pet parent to two cats, Tambaleo and Jaq, and a dog named Layla.
Michelle Flowers, Foster Program Manager
Certified in Applied Animal Behavior, Michelle is passionate about working with animals. After being with SAFe Rescue for the past 2 years as Foster Specialist, she is now excited to be in the role of Foster Program Manager. Michelle is dedicated to building relationships with people and animals alike, providing the support and the training that foster homes need to do their essential work, and having a little fun along the way. She has a soft spot for the shy, stressed, and undersocialized kitties who come through: “I love getting to know them, earning their trust, and helping them learn that the world isn’t such a scary place. Watching them relax and begin to thrive, their full personalities coming through is so rewarding and sets them up for lifelong success in a home.”
Michelle shares her own home with two elderly cats, a 19-yr-old Siamese who is queen of the house, and a small, 14 and 1/2-year-old black cat from a feral litter named Kitten Underfoot. “Kitten was a bottle baby, and she has become my puppy cat who follows me wherever I go.” In her free time, when she’s not creating new data collection spreadsheets or training goats, Michelle writes, sings, and performs music, goes birdwatching, travels with her husband, and watches reruns of Star Trek (Next Gen & DS9, of course!)
Dylan Shaffer, Community Support Manager
Dylan tells us that he finds a lot of value in the work he does because he is a purpose-driven person. “The role that I was hired for is the perfect combination of helping people, which I’ve spent the majority of my career doing, and helping animals stay in loving homes, which is something that as a pet owner I’m passionate about.” Dylan believes strongly in the intersection of humans and animals enriching and benefiting one another’s lives. What he enjoys the most about working with animals is getting to know their unique personalities and the ways they showcase their love and appreciation for you. Getting to look at cute cats all day is a nice bonus as well. Dylan and his partner live with a very lovely cat named Nora, who is loveable but aloof. As someone who is new to the Seattle area, Dylan spends a lot of his free time exploring the city and trying to find a new favorite place to eat and also enjoys hiking. When he is not feeling up for an adventure he enjoys reading, playing board games, and getting lost in YouTube rabbit holes.
Olivia Straubhar, Intake Manager
Olivia has worked with animals her whole life: she started volunteering at the local animal shelter at the age of 11. Having cared for many over the years, Olivia appreciates each species: “I really enjoy learning about different types of animals and how they uniquely experience the world.” When it comes to cats, Olivia’s favorites are the ones with a loud purr! Currently, two cats, Ripley and Link, fill Olivia’s home with purrs. Olivia also cares for pet reptiles including snakes and lizards. When Olivia isn’t helping cats at SAFe or spending time with her animals at home, you can find her with her wife exploring the Pacific Northwest. (Sometimes Ripley, who loves a car ride, joins them too!)
Gianna Cannataro, Adoption Counselor
Gianna was first drawn to SAFe for its mission, values, and team…but by far the biggest draw was the opportunity to pet cats. “I genuinely love being around like-minded people and getting to meet and develop friendships with so many lovely kitties,” Gianna says. “I love getting to witness stories unfold and see relationships between humans and their cat companions blossom.”
Gianna shares her home with “Brother Lovers” Tofu, a petite four-year-old tuxedo, and Douglas Fur, a beefy 17-pound white and grey three-year-old rescued from an abandoned Renton apartment complex parking lot. Doug plays fetch, Tofu plays with a wand toy with nothing on it, and together they fill Gianna’s house with friendship and joy.
Besides kitties, Gianna is passionate about thrifting and reselling unique clothing, binge-watching true crime television, attending local drag shows, and Halloween.
Julien Cox, Operations Support
Julien began volunteering with cats in high school to get community service hours, and somewhere along the way fell in love with shelter work. After graduating with a BA in climate justice and gender studies, they returned to the rescue world in 2022 to work in adoptions. “I resonate most with the people who have to make decisions every day to put their animals’ safety first, whether that be through seeking community aid and veterinary support or surrendering their animals during crisis,” Julien says. “We all show our love for these creatures in different ways, and understanding that without judgement is key.”
Julien shares their home with two orange cats named Merry and Pippin, who are just as mischievous and food-motivated as their hobbit namesakes. Merry’s hobbies include carrying around his Lambchop toy and sniffing guests’ shoes, Pippin’s are punching holes in cardboard and trying to lay on top of his brother. Julien’s hobbies are a bit more traditional: they love cooking, trying new food, dancing, and expanding their music library through CD collecting.
Hannah Cropf, Development and Communications Associate
Hannah’s road to rescue work was a winding one, with pit stops in afterschool education, a dog daycare, film festivals, and even a job at an art gallery. Currently between cats after her mini moo cow left for the catnip pasture in the sky, she gets her daily feline-based serotonin boost visiting the sensitive souls in the East Room of the Adoption Center. When not seeking the approval of cats, Hannah can be found reading or searching for beavers at Carkeek Park, working on a craft project she may or may not finish, and going on genre film deep dives.
Eden Hurlocker, Adoption Counselor
For Eden, rescue work is all about community, starting with her community at home of five cats and one dog! “I started with my oldest boy and then foster failed two pairs of kittens along the way,” she says. “They all get along really well, I’m lucky!”
Having worked in rescue since 2022, Eden is looking forward to expanding her experience in the animal welfare field. She takes inspiration from her colleagues: “We are all so passionate about helping animals and helping others help animals.” Her other inspiration are the animals: “Each animal is an individual; getting to know them and unlocking their personalities is such a reward.”
At home, Eden pampers her animals by taking her dog on adventures and customizing a gigantic catio for her cats. As for herself, Eden likes to unwind on a paddleboard or in her garden.
Salem Mulligan, Veterinary Assistant
Originally from Texas, Salem made the move to Seattle–and rescue work–seeking new experiences. Salem brings 13 years of veterinary experience to our team, with a background in primary care, cardiology, internal medicine, and critical care. They’ve even worked with exotic animals! Salem was drawn to rescue work because, in their words: “Animals have never cared about my differences. I like being able to give back to the community and find cats loving homes.” Salem’s own home includes a 6-pound Chinese crested dog, plus their roommate’s 3 dogs and 4 cats. In their free time, they love playing video games with their dog in their lap.
Lindsey Neblina, Events and Outreach Coordinator
Lindsey first started at SAFe in 2019. After taking a brief leave to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Society, Ethics and Human Behavior with a minor in Human Rights, Lindsey was excited to return to SAFe in her new position as the Events and Outreach Coordinator.
Lindsey has been volunteering and fostering with Everett Animal Shelter since she was 12 years old; starting in the Cat Care rooms and later fostering over 60 kittens, from bottle babies to 6 month old kittens. Her favorite aspect of rescue work is cultivating relationships between animals and people alike. One day, she plans to write state and federal laws protecting human and animal rights. She shares her home with two SAFe alumni: black cats Jazzmaster and Telecaster as well as a golden retriever named Gibson.
Jordyn Nolz, Veterinary Assistant / Ringworm Specialist
Jordyn spends her time at the rescue caring for the cats and kittens in the Isolation Room. These felines are receiving treatment for a skin infection called ringworm. Jordyn gives the “Kitty Cadets” here in the Iso room (lovingly dubbed “Ringworm Academy”) the very best care. It’s always a good day when one of the kitties “graduates” and gets the green light for adoption. Jordyn’s family includes, Jet, a SAFe Rescue alumnus.
Asha Windus, Cat Care Lead
Asha first joined the SAFe community when she was in second grade! She has been helping her mom foster cats for over 15 years, so making the transition to Cat Care Lead was only natural. “I’m such a big animal person, and I love being able to connect and take care of the cats,” says Asha. “I like that there’s no judgment. They just want care, and that’s what I’m here for.” While she doesn’t currently have cats of her own, she still visits her childhood cat at her mother’s. “She’s 16 and she’s my little baby!” Angie says.
When she’s not looking after cats, Angie is fond of hiking and camping around Washington state. (Paddle-boarding on Rattlesnake Lake is a highlight of hers.) She loves getting lost in a good fantasy audiobook!