Name: Kayla Donnelly

Position: Pet Placement Lead

Do you have any pets at home? If so, tell us a little about them: Well, of course, I have pets! My current critter crew consists of two cats and a dog: Kida, Kuzco, and Rosie! I have had Kida for 15 years; she has been with me through all my moves back and forth across the country. She’s my senior gal who enjoys the quiet life these days. Then there is Kuzco, my four-year-old silly bipolar kitty, who either acts like a spazz or melts in your arms while cuddling. And finally, there is Rosie, a pint-sized Pittie princess whom I recently adopted from the ARL. While she was here at the shelter, she unfortunately began undergoing complications from surgery, so I took her home to foster while she recovered. Needless to say, she stole our hearts and made herself right at home! Also, shout out to my pets from the past… Rufus, Scamp, and Muscles. Gone but never forgotten!

What were you doing before joining the ARL: I definitely have a colorful resume, but I won’t bore you with the long list of miscellaneous odd jobs. When my husband and I moved back to Pennsylvania in 2020, I decided I wanted to pursue a career working with animals. I began a full-time job as a pet sitter with a company called ‘Berks Pet Care’ and worked with them for two years before starting at the ARL. Before moving back to the East Coast, I was running my own karaoke business out in Southern California, where my primary nights were held at a local V.F.W. My company was called ‘Kaylaoke Entertainment’, and yes, it was a lot of fun getting to sing and entertain all the veterans!

What inspired you to work in animal welfare and ultimately step into a pet placement and adoption role: I wanted to shift my focus from pampering pets to protecting them. My whole life, I had always stepped up to help stray or injured animals; it’s a trait I know I can thank my mom and my aunties for. Growing up, they always instilled in me the importance of being kind to nature and a love for animals. When I moved to Berks County, I began driving past the ARL many, many times. One day, after giving it a lot of thought, I finally decided to apply. I was hired originally in Animal Care, and then was quickly able to join the Behavior team. I was in that department for almost three years before they offered me the Pet Placement Lead position. A huge part of why I wanted to take that role was that I wanted to apply my knowledge of behavior in hopes that I could help the animals that need it the most in shelters. My role involves a lot of conversation with the public, and I use it to try to educate and advocate for animals that can be misunderstood.

What does a typical day look like for you at the shelter: Morning coffee, unlock front doors, chaos ensues….

All joking aside, a lot of my day is unpredictable. You never know what person or animal is going to come through the front doors. People enter our building going through a wide array of emotions. I could be reuniting a family with a lost pet one minute, and the next helping someone grieve through end-of-life services. Adopters excitedly come in looking for the perfect match, and in the same breath, another family is going through hard times, looking for help rehoming their pet. It is truly a back and forth of love and loss, it is a roller coaster most days, so I just buckle up and hold on!

What is one of the biggest challenges about your job, and how do you work through it: There is a lot more to my job than just adoptions. Like most shelter work, some challenges pop up daily for one reason or another. One of the more challenging tasks I face is having difficult conversations with the public, some of which can lead to tense or uncomfortable discussions. For example, people come into the facility wanting to adopt; however, they may be used to using old-school tactics for training that have proven to be harmful to pets. Taboo subjects that can be difficult to approach, like declawing for cats or the use of aversive training collars for dogs. Talking about how they can worsen the health and behavior of pets is not an easy subject to casually go over. Although it’s hard, it is still a topic worth discussing. It’s my job to offer new knowledge and talk about it in a way that isn’t accusatory. I’m not there to change their minds right on the spot, but plant the seed to understand other ways to correct behavior that can benefit their pets. There is new knowledge out there about animal behavior, and it evolves all the time. It’s important to be aware of how your own actions can affect your pets.

Is there a particular adoption story or animal that has really stayed with you: There have been so many moments that I’m proud of, it’s hard to choose. One memory that always makes me feel good is about a partially blind, black pitbull named Baron. He came through our shelter twice, both times as a stray, and both times with the microchip leading to unanswered calls. Baron was with us for a while; he was also a survivor from the pandemic that tragically hit our shelter in the summer of 2023. I always had a soft spot for Baron, not only because it was adorable when he would bump into things, but because he was so gentle and sweet to everyone, regardless of all the hardships he’d been through. Black pitbull’s statically sit the longest at a shelter, and with him being a little older and partially blind, he didn’t spark a lot of interest. Then, during an adoption event, a family with three kids ended up meeting him and fell in love. I remember him doing so well with the kids and being beaming with all the affection they were giving him. I still have a picture of him lying on the ground getting a hug from their little girl. It’s just one of the many memories I remind myself of that keep me going each day.

How do you balance finding animals loving homes while making sure each match is truly the right fit: I really enjoy having deep conversations with the adopters and finding out why they came in the first place. Some people have never owned a pet, and some people have recently lost one. Some are looking to add to the pack, and others are seeking one perfect companion. Every adopter brings a different story to the table, and I like to get to know them and see what would fit nicely into the world they already live in. On top of getting to know the adopter, I am fully transparent about the needs of the animal as well. What does this dog or cat need to thrive, and is this adopter going to provide it? It’s all about being honest with the public and making sure I’m not shoving animals out the door just to get them out. I think making a connection with adopters is important. At the end of the day, I want everyone to leave with a positive experience.

What misconceptions do people often have about the adoption process: The adoption process is not quick! A lot of people come in with limited time to go over details and get frustrated when it takes longer than expected. I’ve even had people on multiple occasions come in on their lunch break from work looking to adopt. Just like any big investment or life-altering decision, the adoption process has a lot of things to cover and takes time.  Another huge misconception is that people think that owning a cat is easier than owning a dog. I don’t even know how that rumor got started, but it’s flat out not true!

What advice would you give to someone considering adoption: Adopting can be an exciting time, and everyone comes in with a list of qualities they want in a new companion. But take a second to also think about what you have to offer. Take everything into consideration. Look over your finances and consider monthly costs with wiggle room for medical bills. Take into consideration everyone who lives in the house, family members, other pets, and even neighbors. Take time to think about how the first month of adjustment will go; can you keep animals separate in the beginning? How will your children react to the new pet? Do you live on a busy street or a country road? All of these things are going to affect your new pet. Take the time to think about who will fit into the world you already live in.

Final words of wisdom: You never meet the same animal twice. Every single animal is their own individual. Breeds do not define personality, and like meeting a new person, it takes time to understand their wants and needs. The more you learn about an animal’s personal individuality, the better you’ll be able to provide them with a loving home!