President - Virginia Borden (she/her)
President - Virginia Borden (she/her)
Virginia is the president and founder of OCCRA, she worked as a 911 dispatcher in Multnomah County for 11 years and has a strong background involving animal rescue and welfare situations. She is also a rescue leader and climber with the Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue team (OHSTAR), and with her husband, Mike, operates a small farm sanctuary in Oregon City, called The Blue Button.
Vice President - Joanne Cloud (she/her)
Vice President - Joanne Cloud (she/her)
Joanne has volunteered all over the country and wildlife care centers, humane societies, and met Virginia while volunteering at their favorite farm sanctuary - Odd Man Inn. Joanne has been in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years and counting. She has served all over the U.S. and been on multiple humanitarian deployments. She served active duty for 15 years and is currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. She served as a Marine Science Technician and a federal investigator for marine casualties. She is currently the Command Senior Enlisted Leader and only female Master Chief for Sector Puget Sound. Joanne was previously a vet tech, a Hospital Manager for a veterinary clinic and the Program Manager for Clark County Animal Protection and Control. She has participated in and investigated hundreds of animal cruelty cases and animal seizures, and is NACA I and NACA II certified.
She has a husband who puts up with her antics, 4 kids and a farm full of animals. If she ever gets free time she enjoys hiking with her dogs and being at the beach.
Secretary - Alicia K Laing (she/her)
Secretary - Alicia K Laing (she/her)
Alicia is the secretary of OCCRA, as well as one of our responders. She has worked as an emergency room nurse and corrections nurse for nine years.
Alicia is the secretary of the Human Trafficking Task Force of Clark County, and is actively building a new protocol for vulnerable populations. Alicia’s extensive medical background and experience as a lead in emergency situations makes her an important part of all we do, and the decisions we make! She also has one of the biggest hearts for animals we know!
Treasurer - Mike Borden (he/him)
Treasurer - Mike Borden (he/him)
Mike is our treasurer and one of our responders. He is a firefigher/EMT and harbor pilot with the local fire bureau for the last 20 years. Mike is not only our treasurer, but our mechanic, and go-to gear guy, he keeps our equipment taken care of, running well, and keeps us safe on the road. You name it, he can fix or upgrade it! Together, he and Virginia also run a small rescue farm at their home in Oregon City.
Board Member - Darci (she/her)
Lead Responder - Darci (she/her)
Darci is one of our main after hours responders. She responds to animal control related call outs as well as assists OCCRA with rescue missions and transports of animals in need. Darci is a local vet tech with an array of animal experience, and we are very lucky to have her on the team!
Board Member - Shannon (she/her)
Lead Responder - Shannon (she/her)
Shannon is our other main lead responder. She is on call with the county after hours for animal control and also assists OCCRA in animal rescue callouts and transports. Shannon’s experience and comfortability with a wide range of domestic, farm and wild animals is a great asset to OCCRA and we are thankful for her on our team!
Volunteer Wildlife Specialist - Ashley Lema (she/her)
Volunteer Wildlife Specialist - Ashley Lema (she/her)
Ashley began volunteering with OCCRA in 2023 as Volunteer Wildlife Specialist after meeting Virginia and hearing about her hopes to do more for wild animals. She offers her expertise in the form of group trainings as well as situation to situation guidance.
Ashley is a full-time wildlife rehabilitator at Bird Alliance of Oregon's (formerly Portland Audubon) Wildlife Care Center, where she can be found providing advice on common wildlife coexistence issues and giving professional medical care to a diverse array of local species year-round; from hummingbirds to bald eagles, chipmunks to beavers, and even the occasional turtle!
She was born with a love for all animals, which was only intensified by growing up in Southwest Florida — surrounded by ospreys, anhingas, ibises, and the ever-charming anoles, just to name a few favorites. She also always felt a need to advocate for and protect them, which ultimately helped her find this unique career. Ashley got involved in wildlife rehabilitation, rescue, and education immediately after graduating high school in 2015, and just kind of never looked back. She is passionate about wildlife conservation and welfare, as well as working with volunteers and community members to help more animals.
Volunteer - Jen (she/her)
Volunteer - Jen (she/her)
Jen moved to Portland from the Midwest in 2014 with her partner and 3 rabbits just to enjoy all the vegan food and beautiful scenery. She currently works for Providence. In her free time she plays volleyball and rescues animals. Currently she volunteers for OCCRA, Cannon Beach Bunny Rescue, Rabbit Advocates and Little Critter Crew.
Volunteer - Amber (she/her)
Volunteer - Ryan (he/him)
Ryan started volunteering at farm sanctuaries in 2019 where he was introduced to Virginia and joined OHSTAR based on the rope skills he uses at his day job as a high-rise window cleaner. If a cat is in trouble, he grabs his cape and comes running to the rescue! Being a member of OCCRA and OHSTAR keeps Ryan busy, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Volunteer - Ryan (he/him)
Volunteer - Amy (she/her)
Amy started volunteering with the Oregon Humane Society in March 2021, joined their Technical Animal Rescue (OHSTAR) team in July, and then quickly joined OCCRA after meeting Virginia through OHSTAR. As a teenager she volunteered at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center Clinic in Illinois and has raised dogs since then.
Volunteer - Amy (she/her)
Volunteer - Katelyn (They/Them)
Katie's passion for animal welfare began at a young age and has continued to deepen over the years. Currently, they work in the habitat conservation and restoration field as a Restoration Specialist, but are taking steps to maneuver into wildlife conservation. As humans further encroach on wild habitats, it is of increasing importance to learn how to coexist with the ecosystems and wildlife that surround us. OCCRA has offered a sound outlet into the world of wildlife handling and the impact humans have on the overall health of local wildlife. Understanding this relationship between the public and wildlife has improved Katie's hope for humanity, as they see firsthand the care and attention good samaritans have towards struggling or injured wildlife.
They have a bearded dragon and adopted an African Grey from their previous non-profit work. They hope to adopt more reptiles and birds alike in the hopes of solidifying their role as the "Crazy Bird Lady".
Volunteer - Katelyn (They/Them)
Volunteer - Micah (He/Him)
After retiring from his career that took him around the world as a law enforcement officer in the Naval Service, Micah was able to become more proactive with his love of animals. Micah used his skills from working with K9s to begin working with a local search and rescue team. He is now applying those combined skills to help with OHSTAR. Volunteering with OHSTAR is what led him to get involved with OCCRA, where he has felt at home since day one.
Volunteer - Micah (He/Him)
Volunteer - Abe (He/Him)
Abe joined OCCRA earlier this year after meeting one of our team leads through mutual friends. He’s had a big heart for animals his whole life (just ask one of his dogs PIE in the first photo). Abe is also on the local OHSTAR tech rescue team. He’s been on cat, dog, raccoon, owl, goat, chicken, hawk, and parrot rescues so far this year. He also did research and requests to get the approval for a storm drain to be covered which had multiple duckling accidents every year in the Portland area.
Volunteer - Abe (He/Him)
Volunteer - Jessica (She/Her)
Jessica, (she/her) has worked/lived with animals her whole life. She grew up on a farm with cows and horses that expanded to having chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, kunekune pigs, lizards, mice, dogs, cats, snakes and birds. She has worked in the veterinary field for 11 years and couldn’t picture herself doing anything that didn’t involve animals.
She has also been a pet sitter, dog walker and foster Mom to kittens from Multnomah county. She’s currently in veterinary technician school to get her license and wanted to volunteer with OCCRA because there’s always a part of her that wants to do more.
Although she sounds like the busiest person we know, she says she really is a homebody, she and her fiancé are parents to a 3 1/2 year old, and she loves to sit and drink her coffee while reading, watching Netflix or doing some thing with her hands like crocheting.
Volunteer - Jessica (She/Her)
Volunteer - Rene (She/Her)
FROM Rene' : Someone asked me once why I work with animals and not humans. I replied that I have enough love in my heart to do both. I spent most of my adult life working with people and animals – 28 years with PF&R as a firefighter/paramedic and an additional 10+ years as a private company and volunteer paramedic. . I taught EMS skills to firefighter-EMTs and paramedics for ten years I taught EMS skills to firefighter-EMTs and paramedics for ten years before retiring.
I volunteered with Medical Teams International on five international disaster missions including Somalia, Rwanda, and Honduras. As for animals, I have been a member, team leader, and rescuer on Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue since 2004 as well as many other volunteer ‘jobs’ with OHS working with dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds from finches to macaws.
I deployed on HSUS and ASPCA teams to New Orleans and Joplin, MO, disaster responses. I’ve adopted a number of dogs over the years, and my dogs and I have participated in everything from Urban Search & Rescue, Tracking, agility, and Nosework. My favorite breed is the English Springer Spaniel which eventually led to my joining English Springer Rescue America and their Board of Directors. I’m excited to have joined OCCRA so I can add wildlife – especially raptors – and farm animals to creatures I’ve helped over the years.
Volunteer - Rene (She/Her)
Volunteer - Dani (She/Her)
Dani began volunteering with OCCRA earlier this year. Growing up in South Florida, Dani developed her love and deep respect for wildlife on trips to the Everglades. She also gained comfort and confidence with domesticated animals while learning to ride and care for horses. While she enjoys solving human problems as a public interest attorney, caring for animals has always touched a special place in her heart. Dani has a particular love of raptors and felt so lucky to rescue an owl with OCCRA for the first time in early October!
