Dignified Pet Services presents 'People in the Neighborhood'

Meet Karen Green, the Executive Director of Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Karen and her team are celebrating being one of nine shelters in the US to participate in The Jackson Galaxy Foundation’s Cat Pawsitive program, an initiative to introduce positive reinforcement training to shelter cats.

Karen’s career began at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. “I met Gregory Castle, one of the founders of Best Friends, outside a store one day. I gave him a donation, picked up a newsletter, and went in to finish my shopping. As I was driving home, I was so moved by my conversation with Gregory that I ended up going back to see him, and ultimately donated the rest of my paycheck that very day.”

Then 20 and in college, a month or two later, Karen took a break from school to work. “I pulled out the newsletter, called Best Friends, and asked if they had any job openings.” They did. Karen started as a vet tech working with cats, and her career in animal welfare began.

“That put me on the path. I was at Best Friends for 10 years,” she says proudly.

One perk of the Best Friends gig was being able to take her dogs to work. At CAT, she shares an office with shelter cats; her beloved 10-year-old yellow Lab, Sonny, stays home. “My sister [who’s allergic to cats] and I live together with her three kids. I’ve had Sonny for three years this May. He’s my first Lab — very sweet and incredibly devoted. I was looking for a good-natured dog that would be good with the kids.”

When not spending time with Sonny, Karen enjoys quiet time. “I love to read. I like to be by water — going to lakes or the coast.” She also enjoys movies at small theaters like The Laurelhurst. Guilty pleasure? Sleeping in!

Getting to know you . . ..

Fries, or Garlic mashed?
Fries all the way!

Sundress, or shorts/capris?
Capris.

Apple or Android?
I’m an Android person.

Music?
“I love a lot of music, but musical theater is my favorite — if I’m doing stuff around the house it’s Avenue Q.”

The shoes that are so her? Birkenstock sandals — “They are dark brown leather . . . The first thing I do when I get home is take off my work shoes and change into my Birks. They’re my house shoes and ‘wear all the time’ shoes. I wear them everywhere.”

Even when dining at Authentic Thai on Division. If she’s not eating Thai, it’s Pho Oregon for Vietnamese. “If I had to eat only one thing, it would be bún with vermicelli noodles and spring rolls,” she smiles.

About our Sponsor

Dignified Pet Services has served the Portland-area community for 13 years. In addition to their core business of cremation and memorial services, Dignified co-sponsors the beloved annual Service of Remembrance at The Old Church in downtown Portland, as well as serving as wonderful supporters and friends of pets and those working in animal welfare. Proprietors Michael, Randy and Hunter live in Sherwood.

As a Certified Vet Tech, longtime PR veteran and content marketing expert, Christy Caplan brings her unique understanding of social and digital media to connect dog lovers to brands both on and offline. She lives with three hounds – two Doxies and a Beagle/Basset Hound mix, who constantly teach her about life and companionship. Follow Christy at mylifewithdogspdx.com.