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Dr. Penny Fiser, DVM
Animal Care Team
Dr. Fiser was born and raised in Southern California. She received her bachelors degree from UCLA, and her DVM from UC Davis. She worked early in her veterinary career at the San Francisco SPCA Veterinary clinic and at South County Veterinary Hospital in Arroyo Grande.
Dr. Fiser married a large animal veterinarian and therefore moved to Visalia, where she owned a busy small animal clinic for 34 years until retirement in August of 2022.
Combining her love of cats and the Central Coast, Dr. Fiser came to HART to lend her medical expertise to improve the health and well being of the cats that come to HART.
Dr. Fiser was born and raised in Southern California. She received her bachelors degree from UCLA, and her DVM from UC Davis. She worked early in her veterinary career at the San Francisco SPCA Veterinary clinic and at South County Veterinary Hospital in Arroyo Grande.
Dr. Fiser married a large animal veterinarian and therefore moved to Visalia, where she owned a busy small animal clinic for 34 years until retirement in August of 2022.
Combining her love of cats and the Central Coast, Dr. Fiser came to HART to lend her medical expertise to improve the health and well being of the cats that come to HART.
Amy Yetter
Animal Care Team
Amy started in the Animal Healthcare field in 2000, working at a three DVM practice in Glendale, California. In 2001, Amy moved to Cambria and began her career at Cambria Animal Medical Center where she was not only a Veterinary Assistant certified for cold laser therapy, but was also Clinic Manager for 13 years. All in all, Amy has been in animal medicine for 23 years. She has experience with all companion animals, not only dog and cats but pocket pets, rabbits, livestock, avian and reptiles.
Amy is now self-employed as a Companion Animal Caregiver, offering many services, including palliative care under the direction of a client’s DVM. That is where she serves with her heart as she helps pet parents navigate end stage disease of their beloved friend and prepare them for their fur baby to cross over the Rainbow Bridge. Amy brings her lifetime of experience with animals to HART's Board of Directors and Care Team.
Amy started in the Animal Healthcare field in 2000, working at a three DVM practice in Glendale, California. In 2001, Amy moved to Cambria and began her career at Cambria Animal Medical Center where she was not only a Veterinary Assistant certified for cold laser therapy, but was also Clinic Manager for 13 years. All in all, Amy has been in animal medicine for 23 years. She has experience with all companion animals, not only dog and cats but pocket pets, rabbits, livestock, avian and reptiles.
Amy is now self-employed as a Companion Animal Caregiver, offering many services, including palliative care under the direction of a client’s DVM. That is where she serves with her heart as she helps pet parents navigate end stage disease of their beloved friend and prepare them for their fur baby to cross over the Rainbow Bridge. Amy brings her lifetime of experience with animals to HART's Board of Directors and Care Team.
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Cathy Wedel
Shelter Manager
Cathy was born and raised in New York and has traveled the United States living for a period in North Carolina, but ultimately finding her way to sunny California. Cathy has lived in Sacramento and Bakersfield, but now resides in the beautiful seaside town of Cayucos.
Cathy has always loved cats and has had a few of her own, often taking care of the stray and feral felines that would come to her farm house. While she doesn’t have any cats at this time, she has an adorable Pomeranian - Chihuahua mix named Luna.
Cathy joined the HART team in 2018 and has been a dedicated member of our team. She has a Secretarial background, has worked as a Nursing Assistant, and has a Cosmetology license, “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I have now found my calling here at HART. It’s the best job I have ever had!” Cathy also paints and makes jewelry, you can find some of her cat-themed artwork and jewelry in HART’s Gift Shop.
Cathy was born and raised in New York and has traveled the United States living for a period in North Carolina, but ultimately finding her way to sunny California. Cathy has lived in Sacramento and Bakersfield, but now resides in the beautiful seaside town of Cayucos.
Cathy has always loved cats and has had a few of her own, often taking care of the stray and feral felines that would come to her farm house. While she doesn’t have any cats at this time, she has an adorable Pomeranian - Chihuahua mix named Luna.
Cathy joined the HART team in 2018 and has been a dedicated member of our team. She has a Secretarial background, has worked as a Nursing Assistant, and has a Cosmetology license, “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I have now found my calling here at HART. It’s the best job I have ever had!” Cathy also paints and makes jewelry, you can find some of her cat-themed artwork and jewelry in HART’s Gift Shop.
Heidi Irwin
Foster Coordinator
Veterinary Technician Heidi Irwin joined HART in 2023 and currently serves as HART's Foster Coordinator, where she leads and supports HART’s growing foster program. She has held the role since 2024 and in 2026 stepped aside from her position as Animal Care Manager to devote her full attention to HART’s Foster Program. As Foster Coordinator, Heidi focuses on placing cats and kittens into nurturing homes, guiding foster families, and ensuring each animal receives the individualized care they need to thrive outside the shelter environment.
In her role as HART’s Animal Care Manager from 2023 to 2026, Heidi was in charge of overseeing all aspects of in-shelter care, including feeding, behavior, housing, sanitation, and medical needs. We are incredibly grateful for her dedicated leadership during that time—her devotion and tireless work quite literally saved many lives. Prior to joining HART, Heidi spent many years as a Veterinary Technician at the Cambria clinic operated by Dr. Ennis Ogorsolka. She continues to bring her expertise, compassion, and commitment to every cat and kitten through her work with HART’s Foster Team.
Veterinary Technician Heidi Irwin joined HART in 2023 and currently serves as HART's Foster Coordinator, where she leads and supports HART’s growing foster program. She has held the role since 2024 and in 2026 stepped aside from her position as Animal Care Manager to devote her full attention to HART’s Foster Program. As Foster Coordinator, Heidi focuses on placing cats and kittens into nurturing homes, guiding foster families, and ensuring each animal receives the individualized care they need to thrive outside the shelter environment.
In her role as HART’s Animal Care Manager from 2023 to 2026, Heidi was in charge of overseeing all aspects of in-shelter care, including feeding, behavior, housing, sanitation, and medical needs. We are incredibly grateful for her dedicated leadership during that time—her devotion and tireless work quite literally saved many lives. Prior to joining HART, Heidi spent many years as a Veterinary Technician at the Cambria clinic operated by Dr. Ennis Ogorsolka. She continues to bring her expertise, compassion, and commitment to every cat and kitten through her work with HART’s Foster Team.
Wendy Wright
Donations & Events Coordinator
Wendy Wright is a life-long cat lover and cat owner. Wendy was born and raised in Central New York near her grandmother’s farm, which had lots of barn cats. Wendy received a BFA in Communication Design from SUNY Buffalo, then promptly left the snowy, cold and gray climate for the sunshine and warmth of Florida, then Texas and now California. She has worked for several advertising agencies, and has been a freelance graphic designer for twenty-five years.
Wendy joined HART in 2021 and brought with her extensive experience with non-profits and fundraising. Over the years, she has become an integral part of the team, now filling two crucial roles: managing donations and coordinating events as the leader of HART’s Events Committee. Wendy has led the planning and organizing of many of HART’s beloved fundraising and awareness events, including the SweetHART Dance & Silent Auction, HART Anniversary Dinners at Robin’s, Open House, Kitty Christmas Café, HART Movie Night, and a variety of raffles and online art auctions. She looks forward to continuing to use her talents to help HART thrive. Wendy is seen here with her foster failure, Desi. 🐾
Wendy Wright is a life-long cat lover and cat owner. Wendy was born and raised in Central New York near her grandmother’s farm, which had lots of barn cats. Wendy received a BFA in Communication Design from SUNY Buffalo, then promptly left the snowy, cold and gray climate for the sunshine and warmth of Florida, then Texas and now California. She has worked for several advertising agencies, and has been a freelance graphic designer for twenty-five years.
Wendy joined HART in 2021 and brought with her extensive experience with non-profits and fundraising. Over the years, she has become an integral part of the team, now filling two crucial roles: managing donations and coordinating events as the leader of HART’s Events Committee. Wendy has led the planning and organizing of many of HART’s beloved fundraising and awareness events, including the SweetHART Dance & Silent Auction, HART Anniversary Dinners at Robin’s, Open House, Kitty Christmas Café, HART Movie Night, and a variety of raffles and online art auctions. She looks forward to continuing to use her talents to help HART thrive. Wendy is seen here with her foster failure, Desi. 🐾
Dawn Ellner
Media & Fundraising
Dawn has never lived in a home without cats. Her love for felines started when she was a toddler, and Rosie the Kitten was born in the rose bush in her backyard. Since then, at least a dozen cats have been a part of her life.
Dawn grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and graduated from Santa Clara University with a BA in English Writing and Literature. After graduating, Dawn went on to teach elementary school for 20+ years before deciding to relocate to Cambria in 2019 with her husband, 2 cats, 1 cockatiel, and 8 freshwater fish.
Dawn took the opportunity of a fresh start to pursue something new, and soon found herself at HART - taking portraits of the cats, creating social media, writing profiles, fundraising, updating the website, volunteering for shelter shifts, giving shelter tours, training volunteers, and socializing cats with Jackson Galaxy's "Cat Pawsitive" program techniques. Dawn has been enjoying all HART has to offer, but especially loves creating content to help get the cats noticed and adopted. Dawn is seen here with her cat, Kemba.
Dawn has never lived in a home without cats. Her love for felines started when she was a toddler, and Rosie the Kitten was born in the rose bush in her backyard. Since then, at least a dozen cats have been a part of her life.
Dawn grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and graduated from Santa Clara University with a BA in English Writing and Literature. After graduating, Dawn went on to teach elementary school for 20+ years before deciding to relocate to Cambria in 2019 with her husband, 2 cats, 1 cockatiel, and 8 freshwater fish.
Dawn took the opportunity of a fresh start to pursue something new, and soon found herself at HART - taking portraits of the cats, creating social media, writing profiles, fundraising, updating the website, volunteering for shelter shifts, giving shelter tours, training volunteers, and socializing cats with Jackson Galaxy's "Cat Pawsitive" program techniques. Dawn has been enjoying all HART has to offer, but especially loves creating content to help get the cats noticed and adopted. Dawn is seen here with her cat, Kemba.
Gracie Gray
Gift Shop Greeter
Gracie Gray is HART's Gift Shop Greeter. She is the first face visitors see when they walk in the door. She loves to be where the action is, so this is the purrfect job for her at HART. She is in charge of doing shelter tours and making sure visitors have smiles on their faces.
When things get slow at the shelter, Gracie spends her time rearranging the Gift Shop or sometimes helping with office work. She is especially great at organizing papers and typing emails.
While Gracie loves her job at HART, she would much rather have her own family to greet when they walk through the door. Gracie looks forward to meeting you at HART!
Gracie Gray is HART's Gift Shop Greeter. She is the first face visitors see when they walk in the door. She loves to be where the action is, so this is the purrfect job for her at HART. She is in charge of doing shelter tours and making sure visitors have smiles on their faces.
When things get slow at the shelter, Gracie spends her time rearranging the Gift Shop or sometimes helping with office work. She is especially great at organizing papers and typing emails.
While Gracie loves her job at HART, she would much rather have her own family to greet when they walk through the door. Gracie looks forward to meeting you at HART!
Reception
These are some of the first smiling faces you'll see while visiting HART!
Cathy
Wendy
Libby
Christine
Vicki
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