Our Team

Carol Shepard

I have been an animal lover my whole life. Over many years various cats, dogs, birds and even a green sea turtle have graced my path. Each brought to me love unbound, along with sense of purpose and joy beyond my imagining. In 2011 I purchased two acres in the rainforest of Puna on the island of Hawaii. I have called it home since that time. Over these many years various critters have come out of the forest or wandered into my world where I proceeded to love and care for them. Some came for a short time, others have remained for years. Through all of this I have found my true passion. Caring for those dear souls in need of loving kindness and attention. I am now ready to fully embrace my mission and share it with those others who feel the calling to assist yet might not have the environment suitable for such work.

 

Taylor Lawrence

I was born in farm country in the midwest, animals have been a part of my life from early on to the present. I remember repeatedly bringing home the neighbors’ dogs claiming  I just found them and that I should keep them. I have had the pleasure of the company of a passel of dogs and cats, chickens, a goat or two, a horse, some cows and a crow named Socrates.

I loved catching snakes as a youngster.

Prior to moving to the Big Island I did volunteer work for a couple of rescue groups in the New York area. Those who know me are of the opinion I may be 80% dog, which would explain why my good friends mostly have four feet.

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.”   Mark Twain          

Don Louv

I can’t imagine my life without four-legged companions. I grew up around dogs, and as an adult I have had many cat companions; sometimes as many as seven at a time. Ten years ago I discovered the joyful chaos of fostering kittens. That led me to volunteering at a local shelter in their Spay and Neuter surgery clinic. 
In Maine I also worked as a Veterinary Assistant (and occasional vehicle mechanic) for a rural area mobile Spay and Neuter group. Later, in Oregon, I worked as a Surgical Veterinary Assistant at the DoveLewis Emergency Hospital. 
As a retired software engineer, this was a significant and wonderful change in “occupation”. After retirement, it’s been very important to me to find ways to give back to the world and community. So, when I was introduced to Catlandu, I knew my life path was to come and help care for the cats and dogs here.