Staff Profile – 30 Years at ARF

If you’ve visited our Adoption Center any time in the past 30 years, chances are you know Debbie Downs. In 1986, when Debbie started at ARF, things were a lot different than they are now. Then, she had to give our dogs and cats preventative flea dips once a month; now, we have easy-to-use applicators. Then, she had to rotate 47 dogs among three runs so that they all got their daily exercise; now, some 100 dogs share 25 runs. And in the early days of our Op Cat program, Debbie was out at night, trapping.

In all these years, Debbie has been a constant and has held many titles: kennel associate, cattery staff, caretaker, vet tech. At present she is our shelter supervisor, but her unofficial title is The Heart and Soul of ARF, because that’s what she really is. We thank Debbie for 30 years of dedication to saving lives and enriching ours!