IN LOVING MEMORY OF PURRCY 2003-2022

Purrcy found CVAS in 2013 when Nancy, a long-time volunteer, was trapping a group of cats who had been left alone out on Williams Lake Road when their owner passed away. Nancy was checking the traps in the morning and Purrcy came out of nowhere, stumbled up to her and collapsed at her feet. He was skin and bones and missing most of his hair. Most likely he would not have survived another night or two outside in his condition. He had to wear a sweater for months until his fur grew back. A dramatic origin story for a dramatic cat.

Purrcy loved hanging out with all of us, keeping our desks, chairs, and hearts warm. He fell in love with his cat girlfriend Eva, another rescued cat who lived at CVAS, and the two remained close companions until the end. He was greatly beloved by our staff, volunteers, and all who knew him. He passed of natural causes at the age of 19 and a half years old surrounded by his CVAS family. Eva followed over the rainbow bridge in 2025 after a fight with cancer.

Zac West- President

Zac has over 40 years of project management, operational planning, and strategic planning experience in the federal government and the private sector.  He is currently a president of MZJLWest Consulting LLC supporting Megaproject management project initiation and controls. Prior employment includes project analyst and lead for project assessment and reporting systems within the U.S. Department of Energy.  He served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, retiring as a Colonel of Engineering working in both as a combat and facility engineer and as an Army strategist.  From 1982 to 1996, Mr. West served the Army as a reserve member and worked as a process and project engineer in industry.  During this time, he worked on over 40 projects in various leadership and supporting roles in the pulp and paper and utilities industries with focus on large non-traditional fuel boilers to increase capacity over original design, ensure safe operations, gain efficiency in operations, and to reduce or mitigate emissions in order to meet increased compliance requirements.

In addition to volunteering with CVAS, Scouts, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the North East Washington Amateur Radio Club fill any free time. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Washington for chemical engineering and an Assistant Professor at National Defense University.  He is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional.  He has a master of science degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the National Defense University, a Masters of Business Administration degree from Touro University International, and a Bachelor of Science in Pulp and Paper Science, Technology, and Engineering degree from the University of Washington (yeah the other side of the state).

mwest@cvasanctuary.org

LANCE PELTON - VICE PRESIDENT

Lance brings much needed IT experience to CVAS.  He is a principal system engineer with over 20 years in the computer industry.  He proudly served 4 years in the Air Force.  Lance previously resided in Texas where he volunteered  with a local veterinarian office as assistant while receiving his bachelor's in animal science pre veterinary degree.  Also, he was his neighborhood HOA government chair where he worked with the local city government, and helped with the social and newsletter committees.  Lance currently volunteers with his local fire district.  In his spare time he is also handy with construction and cars. Lance acts as the technology specialist at CVAS and performs lots of critical maintenance tasks at the sanctuary

lpelton@cvasanctuary.org

Suzanne Roebke - COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Suzanne has a A.A.S. Degree in Business and Accounting. She started volunteering for CVAS in the Spring of 2021 and joined the board of directors in late fall of 2021. If you have attended a vaccination clinic you may have met Suzy while your fur baby was being taken inside for treatment. Suzy loves meeting every pet and their owners. Suzy’s friendly, outgoing personality is why she is a purrfect fit in being our public outreach director.

sroebke@cvasanctuary.org

Janet West - TREASURER

Janet began her dedicated service with CVAS in February 2019 and joined the board of directors that December. With over 25 years of experience as a bookkeeper and administrative assistant, she later returned to college and earned a bachelor's degree in geography from the University of Mary Washington in 2015. A Chewelah resident since 2018, Janet is active in the community as a member of P.E.O. Chapter BS and a representative for CVAS at the Chewelah Chamber of Commerce. She also participates in events with the NE Washington Amateur Radio Club and is a reserve Scouter for Scouting America. Along with her husband, Zac (also a CVAS volunteer), Janet is a proud parent, grandparent, and the adoptive owner of two CVAS cats, Hemi and Nutmeg.

treasurer@cvasanctuary.org

Jenny Pelton - Secretary

Jenny and her husband of over 20 years, Lance, are transplants from Fort Worth, Texas and truly love their new home state.  Jenny is a mother of three grown children, and blessed with one granddaughter.  Jenny started with CVAS as a kitten foster, and now has added office work and board member to her CVAS resume.  Previous to moving to Washington Jenny worked in the mortgage industry, as an office manager for close to a decade in a senior financial planning office.  During the summer she volunteers for 3 Pines youth camp in Kettle Falls preparing meals for the campers.  In Texas she also volunteered for the following groups and positions: HOA social and newsletter chair for a 526 home subdivision.  Treasurer for the Keller Bible Church, and one of the original members.  Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader.

Jenny's goal is to help spread the word about CVAS.  She would love to educate, and get the youth of our area involved with CVAS.  Also, to help with more adoption events to find our precious animals new homes.

jpelton@cvasanctuary.org

Noah nequette - general member

Noah Nequette has been volunteering with CVAS since 2023 and fostering since 2024. Noah is a Forester with Washington Dept of Natural Resources, and has been living and working in Colville since 2019 when he and his wife Sara moved from the west side. With (currently) 2 dogs and 5 cats of their own, Noah and Sara both have always been the "I found this poor sweet animal somewhere and need help with what to do with it" go-to people of their groups, and love being part of the CVAS community. 

nnequette@cvasanctuary.org

Katherine rettkowski - general member

Katherine has been fostering cats and kittens for CVAS since 2019.  She and her family have fostered over 100 cats and kittens in the past six years.  Wanting to be more involved with the running of the shelter, Katherine started volunteering in the CVAS office in 2023.  She answers the phone helping to give people information on low cost spay/neuter clinics, vaccine clinics, and take down information about animals who need to be surrendered to the shelter.  She has also recently started training as an adoption specialist, she loves helping adopters find the purrfect addition to their family! 

krettkowski@cvasanctuary.org

amber reed - general member

Amber has spent nearly a decade in the insurance industry, where she’s known for her down-to earth approach and genuine care for her clients. Her career journey started in customer service— waitressing, bartending, and tax preparation—experiences that taught her the importance of listening, building trust, and helping people feel at ease. Today, she’s proud to have played a big role in growing a successful Nevada-based insurance brokerage, built largely on referrals from clients who value her honesty and dedication.

When she’s not working, life is loud, fun, and a little chaotic—in the best way. Amber is a proud mom of two teenage boys, has been happily married to her amazing husband for over 15 years, and their five dogs definitely keep the family on their toes (and spoiled!). She loves balancing work, family, laughter, and a little chaos—it keeps life interesting!

areed@cvasanctuary.org

ELIZABETH WINTER - General Member

Elizabeth is a transportation engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering from University of Washington. She has been devoted to improving the lives of animals and their shared world with humans. As a registered member of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, this coexistence is very important to her. Elizabeth learned that her local animal shelter was assisting in the adoptions of cats and dogs from the Colville area and has been a devoted follower of CVAS for several years. She nominated CVAS for the Washington State Employee Combined Fund Drive – a service to assist state employees in donating to local charities. When visiting the Chewelah area, Elizabeth will do volunteer work when possible, offering civil engineering advice for CVAS projects and general labor assistance.

ewinter@cvasanctuary.org

JULIE OGLE - General Member

My name is Julie Ogle. With a background in medical transcription, I’ve developed a strong attention to detail and a deep sense of compassion—qualities that extend into my lifelong love for animals. Over the years, I’ve rescued numerous cats and dogs, offering them safety, care, and a second chance at life. My passion lies in helping homeless pets find loving, permanent homes where they can thrive in healthy, stable environments. Every rescue is a step closer to my goal of making the world a kinder place for animals in need. CVAS offers me a chance to help and make a difference.

jogle@cvasanctuary.org

Bob Stoltz - photo pending - General Member

Bob is a long-time volunteer from 2006 to 2025 with the National Park Service in Yellowstone NP, Saguaro NP, and Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. His focus as a board member is to provide CVAS with his experience, a perspective of a long-term animal / pet owner and to positive contributor to ensure CVAS progresses and prospers.

Bob has a PhD. in Entomology from University of California, Riverside and worked as an Extension Entomology Specialist from 1975 to 2003 at the University of Idaho, R&E Center in Twin Falls, ID.

rstoltz@cvasanctuary.org