Meet the Leadership TeamAnimal Care & ServicesBuilding a community in which every adoptable pet finds a home.
Erika Gamez - Animal Care SupervisorErika Gamez – Animal Care Supervisor

Erika graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science.  An animal lover since she was a little girl, she has worked in many different aspects of the animal industry such as grooming, veterinary medicine, retail, animal caretaker, and most recently as Animal Care Supervisor.  After working at the Center she goes home and takes care of her 5 dogs.  Erika enjoys running, reading, going to the movies, and Starbucks Coffee.

Heather Bolton - SecretaryHeather Bolton – Secretary

Heather had spent most of her career in the Credit and Finance industries before joining the Animal Center staff in August of 2006.  She has always been an animal enthusiast and felt that she could use her skills to help the homeless animals in the community.  Heather graduated Sigma Cum Laude from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Marketing & Agribusiness Management.  She lives at home with her husband of 6 years and 12 year old cat named Agamemnon (Aggie for short).  She spends her spare time traveling, hiking, surfing, cycling, watching movies, and listening to music. 




Barbara Hansen - Community Programs SpecialistBarbara Hansen – Community Programs Specialist

Barbara graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design and a Minor in Marketing Management. She attended this college so she could pursue her love of horses. As the Community Program Specialist, Barbara oversees the Foster Care Program, Volunteer Program, gives tours of the facility, manages the outreach technicians, participates in off-site events, features special animals for “Pets of the Week” on our website and in the newspapers as well as coordinates insightful photographs of the animals at the Center. In her spare time, Barbara enjoys scrapbooking, photography, watching movies and reading books about animals.

Sr. Field Services OfficerLinda Wieczorek - Senior Field Services Officer

Linda has worked in animal care and welfare for 20 years.  She started her career in Indiana as a Humane Officer prior to moving to California in 1991.  Since then, Linda has dedicated herself to helping people and animals in many different ways.  Linda has been known for taking home shelter animals that most people overlook due to their age, health or behavior issues.  She sees the life and spirit in the eyes of the broken.  She and her partner of 13 years share their home with these rescued pets and would not want to live any other way. 

Dr. Michele Toomoth - Veterinarian

Dr. Michele Toomoth, MLAS, DVM - Veterinarian

Dr. Toomoth graduated from University of California, Riverside in 1993 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, and received her Masters in Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) from Hahnemann University in 1995.  After graduation she acted as a research associate for 7 years, until she started her journey to become a veterinarian.  She attended Ross University’s School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts for one year, after which she transferred to Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2003.  Dr. Toomoth was in private practice for 4 years and has been in shelter medicine for 3 ½ years.  She enjoys learning new surgeries and treatments that will benefit the Center’s animals to make them healthy for adoption.  Dr. Toomoth goes home to her husband of 10 years, beautiful 2 year old daughter, 4 cats, 2 dogs and 3 fish.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, quilting, and scrapbooking.