Karen started her career in animal welfare services 16 years ago as an Animal Control Officer with Lee County Animal Control in Sanford. In 2007 she became one of only two Animal Control Officers with the Holly Spring Police Department. In 2012 Karen became the Supervisor of Wake County Animal Control where she served for eight years. During her time there she took part in developing the Hoarding Task Force. This Task Force was created in order to, not only, take care of the animals involved in hoarding and large scale cruelty cases but to lessen the impact on crowded shelters and rescues, provide assistance to the people involved and to prevent recidivism. Wake County received a NACo award for the development of the Hoarding Task Force. Karen is currently employed with Chatham County Sheriff’s Office serving as the Director of Chatham County Animal Resource Center. 

Karen completed National Animal Cruelty Investigator training through the Missouri Law Enforcement Institute and has completed training with the National Animal Control Association. Karen is currently a Board Member of the North Carolina Animal Rabies Control Association (NCARCA), has been an instructor of “Save Animal Handling” with the North Carolina Animal Federation (NCAF) for three years and has recently been asked to join the Professional Development Committee with NCAF. She has a passion for improving animal welfare across North Carolina through training and continuing education and making sure that every animal is given the chance to find their Forever Home.