Rita Aragon
Pet Care-avan Coordinator

Q. What do you do for the Dumb Friends League?

A: I’m the Care-avan Coordinator. The Pet Care-avan is a 27-foot mobile unit that is fitted with kennels and taken throughout the Denver area and Douglas County. Our goal is to help increase awareness about the organization and adopt more pets. I am essentially the Dumb Friends League on wheels—educating the public about the League and pet care, doing pet adoptions, answering animal behavior questions and receiving donations.

Q. How long have you been working for the Dumb Friends League?

A: I’ve been here more than six years. I started in animal care then moved to health care before taking a position with outreach. I have been with the Outreach department, which includes the Care-avan, the offsite adoption center at Northfield-Stapleton, and two mobile spay/neuter clinics, for four years.

Q. What type of events do you attend? How do you select the events?

A: We’re at every major festival, as well as farmers’ markets, parades, athletic events and even store locations like Whole Foods, Starbucks and Wal-Mart. Since we are self-sustaining, we consider any event or location that we are invited to attend, as long as there is adequate parking.

Since we get so many requests, we have to select events based on a first-come, first-served basis. But with part-time help and volunteers during our busiest months, we can participate in more opportunities.

Q: What’s a typical day like for you?

A: Every event is different, so I don’t really have a typical day. I come to the shelter first and pick out the cats and dogs that I will be taking to that day’s event. I’ll select them carefully, based on the type of event; i.e., a kid-friendly event needs kid-friendly pets. When I arrive at the location, we set up our booth and signage. Then volunteers leash the dogs and walk them around so people can meet them.

Our 20 volunteers truly are the backbone of our success. They are amazing and make this program happen. Some events last a long time, keeping us busy for more than 12 hours. One person could not do all of this, so we’re grateful to have such loyal, dedicated volunteers.

Q: How many events do you attend?

A: Since July 2010 we have attended more than 125 events, interacting with nearly 77,000 patrons and adopting more than 110 pets.

Q: What is something that people might not know about your job?

A: The Pet Care-avan is out in the community year-around. We don’t really take a day off. Also, many people may not know that, in addition to cats and dogs, we also bring small pets for adoption at events. I have taken rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and other small pets on the Care-avan.

Q: What is the best part about your job?

A: There’s not just one thing. I enjoy being able to inform people about the League or a particular adoptable pet or advise someone about a pet that they have at home. It’s also great to see people who can’t adopt get their “fur fix” and be happy.

Q: Do you have a favorite story or memory?

A: There was a 7-year-old shar-pei/pug mix named Princess Leia, and she was a great dog. We were at the Radio Disney Kids’ Expo, and a woman who wasn’t looking for a dog saw her and fell in love. Princess Leia was great with her toddler, and it was an awesome match for the entire family. They took her that day. It was the best thing for the dog and that family. I love having a job where I can match up a pet with a family.