Name: Juvenal Lopez

Position: Animal Care Specialist

We asked Juvenal, or as we call him at the shelter: Juve, to tell us a little more about himself and how he supports the care of the animals at work. An animal lover himself, at home he lives with Mamas (3 yrs old pitbull boxer mix), Bibby (3 yrs old lab pit mix), and Loki (6 months old beagle).

1. Tell us about some of the roles you and your team take on to help the animals under our care.  From feeding to cleaning to walking the animals and having a playgroup as part of the Playing for Life Program that we run at the shelter.
2. How long have you been working in animal welfare and what made you want to work in this field? 
   I’m going on a year now. I came to the ARL to adopt my pitbull boxer mix Mamas and I overheard the staff talking about needing help at the Animal Care Department. I immediately applied and here I am!
3. Is there an animal you’ll never forget? 
   I will never forget the pitbull named BART he was a handsome boy that I grew attached to.
4. What is your favorite memory at ARL? 
   Our campus is really beautiful, so I would say just having the opportunity to walk a dog up to the top of the hill and watch the sunset is a memory I will always cherish.
5. What do you love most about your job, and what do you find to be the most challenging?  
   Working with the animals and making them happy while they find their forever home makes me always happy. I find challenging not to take most of the dogs home.
6. If you could cross one thing off your bucket list right now, what would it be?  
   I would want to drive a formula drift car on track in Dubai
7. What is one thing you wish people knew about your job?
   It’s very fun and rewarding in many ways every day.
8. Any last words of wisdom? (life motto, quote or movie line)
   “If you’re really good at something never do it for free” – The Joker, Dark Knight (2008)