Board of Directors

Pat Cade

The following article was written by Dee Dundon, and was printed in the Winter 2004 Edition of Watauga Humane Society's quarterly newsletter.

From 1988 to June 2004, Pat Cade served as the editor of the WHS newsletter. With the help of Ben & Dot Fish, she never missed an issue... for a total of 68 newsletters. In honor of her sixteen years of service to this newsletter, we would like to share with our readers a glimpse of the woman behind the newsletter.

Pat CadePatricia McMahon Cade is from the County of Cheshire in the northwestern part of England, and no matter how hard she may try to disguise it, we all love her delightful British accent.

Pat met her future husband, Michael Cade, during World War II, while he was an officer in the Air Force. Pat and Michael's romance was a real wartime classic, and they were married in England after receiving special permission from a higher authority. Michael was told that he was stationed in England to fight a war ~ not to marry English girls!

After the war, Michael returned to the U.S., but Pat had to wait two years before obtaining clearance to come to the States. Pat worked as an executive secretary in what was at the time, a booming oil industry. Following Michael's retirement from the New Orleans Public Service, they moved to Blowing Rock and promptly joined the Watauga Humane Society.

When the Cades joined the Watauga Humane Society, we only housed dogs, and Pat was appalled at our $5 adoption fee. She said it was a give-away; that one paid more for a stuffed teddy bear.

Michael immediately became Treasurer and remained so until his death in March of 2002. During those early and often difficult years, he kept the Shelter patched together and was an excellent steward of our finances. Pat established the position of Membership Chairperson, which she still holds today.

Way ahead of her time, Pat recognized that adopting out unaltered animals would create an overpopulation problem. Pat asked local veterinarians to reduce spay and neuter surgery fees for animals adopted from the WHS. She even took it a step further ~ collaborating with local veterinarians to offer a low-cost spay and neuter clinic during the month of February, during which surgery is offered at a reduced rate.

Then, Pat took upon herself the thankless job of calling every puppy or kitten adopter to remind them about their obligation to spay or neuter their new pet. She often learned that the animal was already pregnant or had already had a litter. Pat also checked every adoption certificate to make sure that every animal was sterilized.

However, the Society soon reached a point where we could no longer afford the mandatory spay and neuter fees for our adopted animals, and we were contemplating closure of the Shelter. It was then that Pat discovered the Humane Alliance Spay / Neuter Clinic of Asheville, a low-cost, early age spay and neuter clinic tailored to shelters. Humane Alliance enables us to sterilize puppies and kittens before they are adopted.

Twenty-two years ago, Pat started what has become one of our biggest fundraisers, the "Rummage Sale." It was first held at the Blowing Rock Community Club, and included bake sales and hotdogs. The Rummage Sale quickly outgrew Blowing Rock and moved to the National Guard Armory in Boone, where it is still held annually.

Pat Cade volunteers with both the Blowing Rock Community Library and the Blowing Rock Historical Society. And thankfully, she remains on the Board of Directors of the Watauga Humane Society.

Judy Clarke ~ President

Judy Clarke is the President of the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors. She has been a resident of Watauga County for 32 years. In addition to her role as President, she is also Chairperson of the Executive Board and the Bare Bones Boutique Thrift Store Committee. She is also a member of the fundraiser committees for the Fur Ball and Rummage Sale, and serves on the By-Law and Policies and Procedures Committees.

Judy ClarkeJudy is originally from Kansas City, Missouri and many of her family members still live within greater Kansas city. Judy shares her home with two wonderful dogs (Cagney and Mystique) who are in charge of the house and all of her possessions. Cagney is a 15 year old Collie/Old English Sheep Dog mix. Mystique is a 4 year old Chow mix from the Humane Society.

Judy retired from ASU in 1996, where she was the Associate Athletic
Director. She started at ASU in l972 as an Associate Professor in Physical Education/Women's Basketball and Volleyball Coach.

Since retirement, Judy has taken up watercolor painting, traveling throughout the world, and remodeling her house little by little. She is also involved with Santa's Toy Box every year, and does much of the Toy buying. Judy also currently serves as President of the Council on the Status of Women.

Judy Clarke, President, on the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors
"The fifteen member Board of Directors is one of the most diverse and talented group of individuals with which I have had the pleasure to be involved. The purpose of this group is to set both short term and long term goals which will enable the Watuaga Humane Society to meet its mission and provide avenues for growth to meet the changing needs of Watauga County and the animals within its borders.

The Board is responsible for providing ways to meet the operating budget of the Society and to ensure that we are hiring the staff who will meet the needs of the animals and work well with the community. We are blessed with a great staff at the shelter who continually work for the good of the animals. Educating the community about animal safety and the responsiblities of pet ownership is also a priority and let us not forget the Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic and the problems of overpopulation.

The Vision of the Board is to provide a new facility for the animals who are brought to our doors. It should be a clean, warm, loving and safe haven until they can be reunited with their owners or adopted by a suitable family. We hope to make this a reality and we are working toward this end. We know that more space is needed to be able to reach all of the animals who are abandoned, abused or lost."

If you would like to contact Judy Clarke, send an email to judy@goboone.net.

Dee Dundon

Dee Dundon has been a resident of Watauga County for the past 40 years, and has served on the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors for at least 30 of those years. Throughout the years, Dee has served on every Watauga Humane Society committee and held every officer position. She served as President until Autumn 2004.

Pat Cade started the Rummage Sale in the Women's Club in Blowing Rock, but when it became too large for that facility, Dee moved it to the National Guard Armory. Former board member Zillah Apley and her husband had the foresight to establish the Bare Bones Boutique, which is now an excellent fundraiser for the shelter.

The Dog Jog, Fur Ball, Pet Show, Obedience Classes, and Santa Paws have been the most recent fund raisers and committees that Dee has participated in. Dee's current primary duties include committee head for the Rummage Sale and Santa Paws, and member of the Boutique Committee.

Dee's involvement with the Watauga Humane Society was sparked by a Watauga Democrat article about Velma Burnley (our current mayor) forming a local humane society. Dee had recently moved to Boone and was weary of working with people and the violence of civil rights activities. When a stray old beagle showed up at her door (Snoopy, who lived a wonderful 13 years), Dee realized that she could put her love for animals to work and help save them.

Dee has watched the Watauga Humane Society evolve from just one cage into the architect plans for what will be our beautiful new shelter. She has also witnessed a major shift in the attitudes of people towards adopted animals, and animal shelters over the years.

Dee Dundon Describes The Board of Directors:
"The Board is an important cross section of people, each chosen for what they can give to bring about the mission of the Watauga Humane Society."

If you would like to contact Dee Dundon, send an email to deedundon@goboone.net.

Gilda Gordon

Gilda Gordon has lived in Watauga County since 1992, and joined the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors in 2004. Gilda was originally recruited by Pat Cade many years ago to work the Rummage Sale.

Gilda GordonIn addition to the Rummage Sale, Gilda has been involved as a member of the Fur Ball Committee, helped with the Bare Bones Boutique and is currently serving as Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Capital Campaign Planning Committee. Gilda joined the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors in 2004.

Gilda Gordon is a business owner in the High Country. She and her husband, Alan Gordon and their five dog children live in Boone. They are part owners / Realtors / Brokers in the RE/MAX Realty Group of Boone and operate as "Team Gordon". Gilda is "Team Gordon's" Business & Marketing Director. They also have four other "grown and gone from home" children, and two grandchildren!

Gilda Gordon, on the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors:
"I am so pleased to be serving as a Board Member where I know my voice will be heard during this exciting and crucial time of growth. The Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors is a dedicated, talented, skilled, resourceful, and knowledgeable group of people who donate their whole to work together to offer our community the opportunity to have and support one of the best animal shelters in the country. We will continue to focus on the care and temporary housing of homeless animals, their adoption, and spay and neuter programs. In addition, we have directed our attention to the construction and continued support of a new facility and all that it can and will offer our community and the animals in need."

If you would like to contact Gilda Gordon, please email gildagordon@bellsouth.net .

Lee Jessen

Lee Jessen has lived in Watauga County since 1995. Lee joined the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors in 2003. Lee Jessen

He serves as the head of the Insurance Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. Lee is a retired Financial Planner who currently works from home on overseas financial and investment matters.

Lee and his wife, Wendy, share their home with three dogs (Kodii, Sammie, and Kayla) and one cat (Ace). They have three sons: Jeff in Anchorage, Alaska, Jon in Charleston, South Carolina, and Erik in Durango, Colorado. Lee's hobbies include auto mechanics and whitewater canoeing and kayaking.

Lee serves on the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors because he has had a life-long love of animals.

Lee also serves on the Board of Directors for Green Valley Park and the Watauga Paddling Club, and he is a coordinator for the High Country YMCA Organization Effort for the Catawba Valley YMCAs (based in Hickory).

Rachel Jolly ~ Vice President

Rachel Jolly of Boone, NC has lived in Watauga County for fifteen years, and has served on the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors for three years.

Rachel Jolly & ElfRachel is Vice President of the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors. She also serves as the Chairperson of the By-Laws, Policies and Procedures Committee, the Dog Jog Committee, and the Shelter Committee.

Rachel volunteers at many of our fundraising events, including the Pet Show, Santa Paws, and the High Country Homebuilders Expo. For two nights a year every December, Rachel and her husband Bill are transformed into Mister and Mrs. Santa Paws. They share their home with eight dogs and one cat.

Rachel's Vision for the Watauga Humane Society:
"Our main purpose is to provide homeless animals with food, shelter, medical care, and love until they are no longer homeless. Our purpose is to provide a service where people can find companion animals to enrich their lives. My vision is to see that spay/neuter is promoted agressively so that one day, there will be loving homes for all the animals."

Jan Watson

Jan Watson has lived in Watauga County for thirty-eight years, and has served on the Watauga Humane Society Board of Directors for nine years. She took over the role of Treasurer after Mike Cade, the previous Treasurer, passed away. She also serves as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Chairperson of the Fur Ball Committee, and Chairperson of the Capital Campaign Steering Committee. Jan is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, the By-Laws Committee, Shelter Committee.

Jan was born in Aiken, South Carolina and attended Winthrop College for her bachelor's degree. She earned her master's degree at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., and received her doctorate from UNC-Greensboro.

Jan worked in the Newport News City, Virginia Schools for two years as a teacher & coach, then returned to Boone. Jan was a Professor at ASU for 32 years, and coached field hockey and tennis. Jan retired from ASU in 1999.

In addition to teaching and coaching at ASU, she was involved with the development of women's intercollegiate athletic programs in the United States from "non-existent" to fully competitive
programs for college women. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Field Hockety Association and the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Jan was also a representative to the United States Olympic Committee.

Jan's hobbies include tennis, gardening, golf, and knitting. She has a Maltese named Fancy, five cats (Katie Blue, Beauty, Miss Lucy, Buddy, and Scooter).

Jan's Motivation For Working With Watauga Humane Society:
"As a lover of all animals, I felt that I could help the homeless and less fortunate animals in the area and therefore give something back to the community that has been so good to me."