Meet The Staff
Elsa Delgado
Executive Director
Greetings! My name is Elsa, and I serve as the shelter’s executive director. You might or might not be familiar with my name from the Disney film Frozen, but also from my past role as the director of operations here. My passion for animals and commitment to treating them humanely is what attracted me to the Avery Humane Society. Our staff’s dedication to the animals in our care is unparalleled and I'm excited to be part of the team. Our commitment has always been and will continue to be the animals placed in our care. I’m thrilled to take on my new role here at the shelter. I’d like to invite you to come by, say hello, and meet some of our adorable animals. Thank you so much for your continued support and I hope to see you soon.
Elsa Delgado
Executive Director
Charlene Moore
Shelter Manager
My name is Charlene Moore. I have worked with the Avery Humane Society for over 22 years now. I started out working with Alice Sudderth, who was the first Executive Director and who, along with Rachel Deal, was instrumental in starting our organization. She gave me a new beginning and I am so grateful she did.
When I started I only did the website for the shelter. I fell in LOVE!! The next thing I know I was working in cats, moved to puppies and before long moved to dogs. I have worked in all areas of the shelter. I have to say 2 of my favorite jobs here are working with the New Leash on Life program and doing the website photos and social media. There's nothing better than a dog in my lap at photo time or chasing kittens around the photo room.
I have been asked "why do you not take a director position?" and for that I have a simple answer, I want to be with the animals. I love being close to them and I feel like my talents are better suited for taking care and being a voice for the furbabies. I love our staff and being able to be a sounding board when they need it. I do not have a brain for math as far as that goes. Give me slobber and puppy breath over a calculator any day!
Thank you for the support you give our shelter and for believing in the terrific and lifesaving work we do here. I pray to be doing this for many more years to come.
Charlene Moore, Shelter Manager
Melissa Webb
Assistant Shelter Manager
Hello, I am Melissa Webb, Assistant Shelter Manager at the Avery Humane Society. When people ask "How do you do it?" I ask, how can you not? Ever since I was a child my dream was to be able to help animals.
I chose this career for animals that may not have had a meal in days. For the animals that have not had a gentle hand or heard a calm voice in months, or a person to love and protect them. Also, for the animals who once had a perfect life and through no fault of their own, all of a sudden, had to be introduced to new faces and different smells.
I love to make a difference. The ones who will hide and tuck their tails and cower with each noise or sudden movement, within a few days do happy zoomies in the corral and wagging all over when they see a human. Then to see them walking out the front door to their forever homes. Priceless.
Joshua Shipley
Volunteer Coordinator
My name is Josh Shipley, and I am thrilled to be working with the Avery Humane Society. My wife and I moved to Newland and built a home after my retirement in 2022, and we have been enjoying the peaceful mountain life of western North Carolina ever since. We are both passionate animal advocates, so this opportunity to work with AHS is truly a blessing.
I have experience with several non-profit service organizations, and I hope to use this background to enhance both our volunteer and education programs. With Elsa and Charlene at the helm, I hope to help Avery Humane Society become a flagship community service organization.
Abi Young
Receptionist/Med Tech
Hi, my names Abi. I’ve been at the shelter for a little over 9 years. I started in cats and from there went to dogs then eventually med tech and reception. I love working with all animals. It’s always hard seeing the scared or hurt ones come in, but being able to be a part of the reason they feel they can trust people again is the why I’m happy to be here. Doing their adoptions and watching them walk out with their new people and a brand new life ahead of them is what I look forward to most days.
Hattie Lewis
Cat Associate
I'm Hattie, a cat associate here. I have worked at the shelter for eighteen years. Wow, that's a long time. I can't believe it has been this long but I love it so much. I love to help and care for the animals. It is a blessing to watch them get their forever homes and melts my heart.
It makes me happy that they can trust in me. The cat area is so much fun. I get to play with kittens and older cats. I am so glad that I have been here to help so many animals find wonderful homes.
Amber Webb
Animal Care Associate/Med Tech
Hi, my name is Amber. I've been part of the shelter family for about 8 or 9 years. I started volunteering when I was in high school, and I was hired as an employee about 4 years ago. I am trained in both the cat area and the dog area. I have always loved animals, and I don't remember a time in my life where I didn't have a pet in my family. There have been quite a few animals at the shelter that have stolen my heart, and two of them made their way into my family. The most recent one was a foster kitten that we had since she was 5 days old. As soon as she was available for adoption, my family applied for her. She is now close to 12 weeks old and loves to play with my other cats. While being at the shelter, I have seen many shy and scared animals come out of their shell and have watched their personalities come to life.
I love being someone who gets to show them what love and compassion are and seeing them find homes that will give them even more love than I ever could. I love spending time with the outgoing animals too. I am mostly in the dog section. So I get to enjoy taking the high energy dogs on nice long walks and playing with rambunctious puppies. When I get to work in the cat area, I love listening to the vocal cats and watching the cats chase after the laser light that they just can't seem to catch.
This job may be demanding physically, emotionally, and mentally, but it's definitely worth it. Especially receiving so much love from so many animals and watching them find their forever homes.
Dovie Townsend
Animal Care Associate
"I love my job because I love the entire process of nurturing dogs back to health and rescuing them. All of the animals at the shelter have a special place in my heart. I love taking pictures with them, taking them on walks and playing with them. I would bring them all home with me if I could. Another reason I love my job is the work environment. All of the staff is amazing and I've come to make some really great friends." Dovie Townsend, Cat & Dog Associate since 2017
Lauren McCourry
Dog Area Supervisor
Hi, my name is Lauren and I started working at the humane society when I was in high school as an intern in dogs. Now I’m a dog area supervisor. I love animals and my job!! I love watching the animals get the home that they deserve, go from shy and scared to learning to trust us!!! I love seeing the many different personalities that they have!! When they go to their forever homes, it makes me so happy to see them getting a home that they deserve!!
Alli Phillips
Laundry Assistant/Animal Caregiver Assistant
Alli is the kind of person you can always count on. She comes in, works hard, takes her responsibilities seriously, and gives so much of herself to the animals and to our team. She is thoughtful, dependable, and, most importantly, a true friend to all of us. After 12 years, Alli has become so much more than an associate — she is a valued part of the heart of our shelter. We are incredibly grateful for everything she does and for the kindness and friendship she brings with her every day.
Gracie Jones
Reception/Animal Care Associate
Hello! My name is Grace Jones, and I'm a dog and cat associate here at the Humane Society. I'm also a student at Lees-McRae College, working on my English degree. I absolutely love animals!
Diana Carpenter
Cat Associate
Hello, I am Diana. I came to work at Avery Humane Society on March 22nd, 2022. I have always loved animals. My mama said she could not keep me out of the woods when I was just 6 years old. She asked me what I was doing in there. I said I was trying to get the animals to come home with me so I could feed and take care of them. She said you have a very big heart; don't ever lose it. I have done a lot of jobs in my life. I have been a CNA 1 for 32 years now. I love it, but my job at the Avery Humane Society is by far the most rewarding one I have ever had.
I have 7 Chihuahuas and 8 cats. Three of them came from the Avery Humane Society. The people at the humane society go way beyond their paychecks; no one knows what all they do after hours for all the animals. I love my job, and all my coworkers are a bunch of good people who work there.
Cheyanne Harmon
Animal Care Associate
Hello! My name is Cheyanne and I'm a Cat Assocaite at the Avery Humane Society, I love working here so much! I get to spend time and take care of the animals as well as help with their journey to find new homes. I'm so glad I work here.
Cody Brown
Dog Associate
I’m Cody, and I’m a dog associate. I enjoy this job because I’ve loved animals from a very early age and truly enjoy taking care of them. Each day brings new challenges, and the team and volunteers are the best! I learn something new every week. Some of my favorite hobbies include fishing, camping, and hiking the Nuwati Trail.
Shay Hodgson
Dog Associate
Kaydance Barnett
Dog Associate
Natalie Eggers
Dog Associate
Aubrey Allman
Dog Associate
Selise Bowen
Dog Associate/Receptionist
