Staff Spotlight: Jeanette Farrell Receives CAWA Credential
Jeanette Farrell, Field Services Manager of Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) Receives Prestigious Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) Credential.
Troutdale, OR, November 6, 2020 – Jeanette Farrell, Field Services Manager of Multnomah County Animal Services, recently earned her Certified Animal Welfare Administrator certification through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, an independent agency whose mission is to help develop strong leaders and promote standards of practice in the animal welfare profession. Farrell is now one of several hundred individuals to hold this prestigious designation.
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement administers the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) program, which distinguishes top-level executives and managers working in both nonprofit and municipal animal welfare agencies. In addition to meeting strict eligibility requirements for leadership and management in the animal welfare field, Farrell needed to pass a rigorous exam to earn her CAWA designation.
The CAWA exam covers best practices in animal welfare with questions reviewing leadership, human resources, finance, fundraising, marketing, administration, and animal care. Obtaining her CAWA status validates Farrell’s work in the animal welfare field and illustrates her competency to contribute to broader animal welfare conversations as they pertain to our community and across the country.
“It has been a long time goal of mine to obtain this certification,” Farrell says. “Obtaining this certification has better enabled me to understand emerging trends within the animal welfare industry, and has increased the foundation of my skills and knowledge. I am able to apply this knowledge not just logically but also based on science-backed best practices.”
Jim Tedford, The Association’s CEO noted, “Certified Animal Welfare Administrators have demonstrated that they hold specialized qualifications and a commitment to high standards and ethical practices in our industry. We respect their dedication to their own professional development and their pursuit of leadership excellence.”
About Jeanette Farrell, Field Services Manager
Prior to joining Multnomah County Animal Services in 2018, Jeanette Farrell served as Director of Montgomery County Animal Control in Clarksville, Tennessee, and previously as Director of the Humane Society of Warren County, Virginia.
Farrell has worked with animals for her entire adult life, starting with a summer job at an animal hospital at the age of fourteen (14). She worked first as a kennel worker, and later became a Veterinary Technician. Farrell found rewarding work alongside an assortment of veterinary specialists at a veterinary referral center in Springfield, Virginia. Farrell later worked as an Animal Control Officer in Loudoun County, Virginia. Farrell is trained and certified in swiftwater rescue, Equine Cruelty Investigations, Large Animal Technical Rescue, and she was deployed to Mississippi to assist with animal rescue during Post-Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
After a lifetime of professional work in animal welfare in multiple capacities, what matters most to Jeanette is “being able to provide services to the animals and their owners in the community I serve, and to find feasible solutions to low cost spaying and neutering.” Her CAWA certification will serve as an important professional resource to help her achieve her goals.
At home, Farrell enjoys the companionship of five cats, a dog, a foster dog, and one person.
About Multnomah County Animal Services
Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is a division of the Multnomah County Department of Community Services (DCS), and the primary agency responsible for lost pet care, animal abuse investigations and animal rescue. The guiding principles of MCAS are excellence in the quality of care for animals in its shelter, and providing equitable and accessible services to the community. Services offered by MCAS include dog and cat licensing, lost and found pet services, and animal adoptions.
About The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
Since 1970, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement has been leading the conversation among animal welfare leaders. As the only membership organization dedicated exclusively to animal welfare, care, and control professionals, The Association develops strong leaders, promotes standards of practice, and cultivates collaboration to advance the animal welfare profession with a united voice. For more information, please visit theaawa.org.
