Furry Friends, the Clark County no‑kill cat rescue, announced the addition of Dara Johnson, RVT, to its team as a part‑time staff member. Johnson’s background in shelter medicine and spay‑neuter programs is expected to strengthen the organization’s capacity to care for the hundreds of cats and kittens it serves each year.
Professional experience and partnership
Johnson was first introduced to Furry Friends by Executive Director Jen Hutchman, with whom she previously collaborated at several spay‑neuter clinics. Their shared commitment to animal welfare made Johnson a natural fit for the rescue’s leadership team. Initially joining as an independent contractor, Johnson now holds a formal staff position, allowing her to apply her veterinary knowledge more directly to the organization’s daily operations.
Career highlights
During an internship at a county animal shelter, Johnson discovered a passion for shelter medicine. After completing her training, she worked on a mobile spay bus, delivering veterinary services to underserved communities. She later traveled to Mexico, where she trained veterinary technicians in spay techniques, expanding access to life‑saving procedures beyond U.S. borders.
Volunteer service and fostering
Beyond her professional credentials, Johnson is a longtime foster volunteer for Furry Friends. Over the years she has fostered hundreds of cats and kittens, often taking in those requiring additional medical care before they become adoption‑ready. She also volunteers with another local rescue, Sacred Paws, further demonstrating her dedication to animal welfare in the region.
Family life and personal interests
When she is not caring for animals, Johnson balances a busy household with her husband and two children—a five‑year‑old daughter and a ten‑year‑old son. The family shares their home with four cats, a blind dog, six chickens, and two ducks. Johnson enjoys gardening, growing vegetables, plants, and flowers, and she has a talent for starting plants from seed. In her spare time she creates beadwork jewelry.
Impact on Furry Friends
Staff and volunteers at Furry Friends expressed enthusiasm about Johnson’s arrival, noting that her veterinary expertise, shelter experience, and personal commitment will enhance the rescue’s ability to provide medical care, perform spay‑neuter surgeries, and support foster families. The organization looks forward to leveraging Johnson’s skills to further its mission of saving cats and kittens throughout Clark County.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
