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Heidi Irwin
Animal Care Manager
Veterinary Technician Heidi Irwin joined HART as Medical Care Manager in 2023. She is in charge of overseeing all aspects of care in the shelter, including feeding, behavior, housing, sanitation, and medical concerns. Heidi had been a technician in the well-known veterinary clinic in Cambria operated by Dr. Ennis Ogorsolka for many years. We are very fortunate to have someone with Heidi's expertise and dedication to animal care on our team.
Veterinary Technician Heidi Irwin joined HART as Medical Care Manager in 2023. She is in charge of overseeing all aspects of care in the shelter, including feeding, behavior, housing, sanitation, and medical concerns. Heidi had been a technician in the well-known veterinary clinic in Cambria operated by Dr. Ennis Ogorsolka for many years. We are very fortunate to have someone with Heidi's expertise and dedication to animal care on our team.
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.
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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.
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 has extensive experience with non-profits and fundraising. She looks forward to using her capabilities to help HART as best she can. 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 has extensive experience with non-profits and fundraising. She looks forward to using her capabilities to help HART as best she can. Wendy is seen here with her foster failure, Desi.
Dawn Ellner
Social Media
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 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 cat stories, updating the website, volunteering for shelter shifts, giving shelter tours, training volunteers, and socializing cats with Jackson Galaxy's "Cat Pawsitive" program. 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 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 cat stories, updating the website, volunteering for shelter shifts, giving shelter tours, training volunteers, and socializing cats with Jackson Galaxy's "Cat Pawsitive" program. 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.
Shannon Melendy
Volunteer Coordinator
Shannon joined HART as our Volunteer Coordinator in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in volunteer management. With her enthusiasm and dedication, Shannon has already made a wonderful impact on our team, helping to make every volunteer feel welcomed and valued. Earlier this year, Shannon became a proud cat mom to Mochi, a senior "kitizen" and beloved HART alum. We are thrilled to have Shannon's passion and expertise at HART!
Shannon joined HART as our Volunteer Coordinator in 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in volunteer management. With her enthusiasm and dedication, Shannon has already made a wonderful impact on our team, helping to make every volunteer feel welcomed and valued. Earlier this year, Shannon became a proud cat mom to Mochi, a senior "kitizen" and beloved HART alum. We are thrilled to have Shannon's passion and expertise at HART!
Reception
These are some of the first smiling faces you'll see when visiting HART!
Wendy
Cathy
Kathy
Christine
Sunshine
Office Meownager
Sunshine is HART’s office supervisor extraordinaire! At 11 years old, this beautiful calico has an eye for detail and a flair for charm. Whether she’s overseeing “paw-perwork,” greeting visitors from her catio or the front counter, or making sure everyone takes their proper cuddle breaks, Sunshine has her paws in everything at HART. She carries herself with a touch of grace and wisdom, yet she’s also sweet, loving, and happiest when she’s soaking up affection.
While we adore having her as our office supervisor, Sunshine is dreaming of a cozy HOME office and a family to cherish in her golden years.
Sunshine is HART’s office supervisor extraordinaire! At 11 years old, this beautiful calico has an eye for detail and a flair for charm. Whether she’s overseeing “paw-perwork,” greeting visitors from her catio or the front counter, or making sure everyone takes their proper cuddle breaks, Sunshine has her paws in everything at HART. She carries herself with a touch of grace and wisdom, yet she’s also sweet, loving, and happiest when she’s soaking up affection.
While we adore having her as our office supervisor, Sunshine is dreaming of a cozy HOME office and a family to cherish in her golden years.
Vivi
Gift Shop Meownager
Vivi is the first friendly face visitors meet when they walk through the door, greeting everyone with her signature chortle and warm purr. As the Gift Shop Meownager, she carefully inspects every piece of merchandise—yes, even the items on the highest shelves—to make sure everything meets her high standards. She’s so devoted to her craft that she’ll often settle right into her displays, close her eyes, and “meditate” on fresh layout ideas. Between inspiring new décor, helping guests find the purrfect treasures, and keeping the paw-perwork in order, Vivi runs the shop with charm, creativity, and a proud flick of her tail.
Though she’s a beloved part of the gift shop team, Vivi is hoping to trade her post for a cozy home and an adoring family of her very own.
Vivi is the first friendly face visitors meet when they walk through the door, greeting everyone with her signature chortle and warm purr. As the Gift Shop Meownager, she carefully inspects every piece of merchandise—yes, even the items on the highest shelves—to make sure everything meets her high standards. She’s so devoted to her craft that she’ll often settle right into her displays, close her eyes, and “meditate” on fresh layout ideas. Between inspiring new décor, helping guests find the purrfect treasures, and keeping the paw-perwork in order, Vivi runs the shop with charm, creativity, and a proud flick of her tail.
Though she’s a beloved part of the gift shop team, Vivi is hoping to trade her post for a cozy home and an adoring family of her very own.
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