Name: Nancy Peterson
Employer: The Humane Society of the United States
Job Title: Cat Programs Manager
Years with current employer: 14 years
Educational Background: Nancy received her Bachelor’s in Anthropology and an Associate’s Degree in Animal Health Technology.
Job Description: On a typical day, Nancy responds to emails, letters, and phones calls, including inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance from pet owners. She also works with feral cat caretakers, animal shelters, municipal offices, veterinarians, legislators, the media, and medical and housing professionals to promote the welfare of animals and oppose actions that would harm them. Nancy also writes articles for The Humane Society of the United States’ magazine and website.
Favorite Component of Her Job: Nancy states, “I enjoy providing resources to help advocates “get the job done.” For example, Nancy provides materials that advocate the promotion of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to municipal officials. These programs assist with the management of feral cat colonies. She writes to those officials and says, “When I hear from the advocate that officials voted to support TNR programs, it makes my day.”
Furthermore, Nancy enjoys working to aid and educate people. Some examples Nancy offers are that she may help a cat owner avoid getting her cat declawed because a new apartment manager decides to require it, or she may help a pregnant woman understand that she doesn’t have to give up her cat because her OB/GYN has told her that Toxoplasmosis can harm her fetus.
Least Favorite Component of Her Job: Nancy does not enjoy hearing about the sad circumstances of people and animals and then not being able to help everyone.
A Special Experience or Story from Her Job: Nancy writes, “I recently flew to Gainesville, Fla., to help care for some of the almost 700 cats rescued from a failed sanctuary. The day before going to the shelter, I visited a family who lived about 1 hour away. I’d written an article about them because they’d TNRed 751 feral cats.
It just so happens that among the cats in The HSUS’s temporary shelter were 6 cats placed at the failed sanctuary by a family thinking they were doing the right thing.
When this family found out what had happened with the cats, they contacted The HSUS and were able to identify their cats, but they couldn’t care for them. They offered a lifetime of food and flea treatment if a good home could be found. They needed a miracle and I was able to put them in contact with the family I had visited who worked with TNR. The cats joined 70 others living in furnished enclosures with access to the TNR family’s house. Miracle accomplished!”
Nancy’s Recommendations to Those Interested in a Career Similar to Her Own: Nancy states, “Learn about the work of the HSUS, our book, “Careers with Animals,” and check out our online courses by visiting the following link."
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