20th Anniversary Bash

An Evening of Music and Merriment!

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Nelson SPCA 20th Anniversary Bash, a celebration of two decades of dedication and compassion.

Our Team

Nelson SPCA

Meet Our Team

Each member of our staff is dedicated to the well-being and happiness of our canine and feline residents. Our team is made up of compassionate animal caregivers and enthusiastic volunteers. They provide a safe, enriching environment and work tirelessly to find loving homes for every pet in our care.

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Meet Our Staff

We’re grateful to have a dedicated staff of animal caregivers. Our team works continuously to provide the highest level of care and to find loving homes for the dogs and cats of Nelson County.

 Rose Fariss

Rose Fariss

Shelter Manager

Marissa Shaver

Marissa Shaver

Feline Lead & Office Assistant

Erin Ezzyk

Erin Ezzyk

Canine Lead

Kaylee White

Kaylee White

Feline Technician

Madison Booysen

Madison Booysen

Feline Technician

Perla Barrios

Perla Barrios

Canine Technician

Holly Martin

Holly Martin

Canine Technician

McKenzie Powell

McKenzie Powell

Canine Technician

Cole Johnson

Cole Johnson

Feline/Canine Technician

Tammy Goolsby

Tammy Goolsby

Feline/Canine Technician

Sigrid Mirabella

Sigrid Mirabella

PM Animal Care Specialist

Become a Part of Our Dedicated Team

We welcome all talents, whether you’re an experienced caregiver, a skilled trainer, or have a knack for administrative work. Your commitment is what we need.

silhouette graphic of a dog and a cat looking up toward two butterflies.

Meet Our Dedicated Volunteers

The Nelson Community has never held back in supporting our shelter with their time and effort. There are too many to list individually, but if you’d like to send us a photo and a short bio, we’d love to feature you. We can’t do this without you and we simply can’t thank you enough.

Veterinary Volunteers

Elizabeth Luziach

Elizabeth Luziach

Supervising Veterinarian

Robin Pullen, VMD, DACVIM - SAIM

Robin Pullen, VMD, DACVIM - SAIM

Assistant to Supervising Veterinarian

Dr Jennifer Magill

Dr Jennifer Magill

Assistant to Supervising Veterinarian

Community Champions

Sue Lambert

Sue Lambert

Dog Walker & Bather

Clinton Fariss

Clinton Fariss

Volunteer

Madison Farley

Madison Farley

Junior Volunteer

Amy Swope-Robles

Amy Swope-Robles

Volunteer & Bording Kennel

Laura Scherman

Laura Scherman

Volunteer

Carolyn Frith

Carolyn Frith

Volunteer, Cat Write-ups & Photographer

Diana Galarreta

Diana Galarreta

Volunteer & Dog Walker

Arin Bennett

Arin Bennett

Dog Walker

Jenn O’Connor

Jenn O’Connor

Feline Foster

Katie O'Connor

Katie O'Connor

Volunteer

Bailey Naughton

Bailey Naughton

Volunteer

Karen Ryan

Karen Ryan

Volunteer

Donald Wenrich

Donald Wenrich

Volunteer

George Allen

George Allen

Vehicle Maintenance

Shirley Allen

Shirley Allen

Senior Volunteer

Kim Jackson

Kim Jackson

Foster Coordinator

Vicki Martin

Vicki Martin

Volunteer, Foster & Donor

Andi Blanton

Andi Blanton

Grounds, Shelter Maintenance Helper & Dog Walker

Tad Smith

Tad Smith

Special Volunteer

Melissa Rosenthal

Melissa Rosenthal

Volunteer & Dog Walker

Maura Singleton

Maura Singleton

Dog Walker

Rhonda Richardson

Rhonda Richardson

Volunteer

Sue Rucker

Sue Rucker

Senior Feline Volunteer

Interested in volunteering?

If you have the time — we need you!

Meet Our Visionary Board of Directors

Heidi Freitager

Heidi Freitager

President

Heidi has been a member of the board of directors since 2016 after volunteering at Nelson SPCA and CASPCA since 2008. Outside of the shelter, she owns a softball training & retail business and enjoys coaching kids of all ages. Heidi volunteered running the spay & neuter program 2017-2024 and has fostered over 100 cats & dogs over her time at the Nelson SPCA. She and her wife, Megan, are the proud pet parents of 3 dogs and 8 cats.

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Denise Merricks

Denise Merricks

Vice President

Denise is the President and trainer at Camp Merricks, a local boarding, daycare and training facility. She is active in dog rescue with multiple organizations and has worked with the Nelson SPCA since 2013. Additionally, she has 30 years experience in Human Resources and Business Management.

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Ginger Germani

Ginger Germani

Treasurer

Ginger Germani, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking with Old Point National Bank, joined the board in November 2023. She brings a variety of experience in nonprofit fundraising as well as financial management. Ginger and her family live in Richmond, but she resided in neighboring Crozet for 15 years. During that time, she served on the board of the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, volunteered in spay/neuter and fostered numerous puppies and dogs. Ginger also manages the Austin Germani Memorial Fund, in honor of her late son, who lost his battle with depression and anxiety. Through the fund and her other volunteer work, she is committed to changing the landscape of mental healthcare. Ginger was named as one of the 2024 Women Who Drive Richmond by the Richmond Times-Dispatch for her contributions to moving the region forward through her work in business and community.

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Michael Wood

Michael Wood

Board Member

Michael grew up on a farm here in Nelson County, where a love of animals developed early. He’s volunteered and fostered with the Chesterfield Humane Society, Dogs Deserve Better, and now the Nelson SPCA. He loves the outdoors, often hiking or kayaking with furry friends. He tries to utilize his background in architectural fabrication & custom signage, and now landscaping to contribute to the shelter.

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Ronald Cote

Ronald Cote

Board Member

Ron joined the Board in 2023 and actively volunteers as an infrastructure coordinator and animal transport driver. His wife, Robin, lends her skills as a volunteer veterinarian, caring for the animals we shelter. Together, they’re crucial to our mission. Among those in their care is Wink, a rescue cat who’s become part of our community.

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Amy Eastlack

Amy Eastlack

Board Member

With a lifelong passion for animal rescue, I work as a Foster and Adoption Coordinator at Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge. Currently also pursuing a Master’s degree in Animal Shelter Management, I spend most of my time trying to help animals in need. Proud mom of two adult children, my home is also ruled by my three beloved dogs: Winnie, Millie, and Kingston. They bring joy and inspiration to my mission every day.

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Sarah Landon

Sarah Landon

Board Member

Lifelong animal lover and rescuer. I’ve spent 19  years with Almost Home, serving on the Board for much of that time. I’m an advocate of and committed to promoting spay/neuter initiatives.  My farm is a lively haven, home to a wonderful mix of cats, dogs, goats, sheep, a bunny, and a parakeet.

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Help Us Shape a Brighter Future for Pets in Need

Your ongoing support is essential to our mission, empowering us to create tangible positive changes in the lives of Nelson County’s dogs and cats. Join us in this meaningful endeavor and be part of our story.

Nelson SPCA
HOURS
Monday - Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm (except major holidays)
LOCATION
29 Stagebridge Road
Lovingston, VA 22949
Get Directions