Carol Vencill, President

Carol has been serving as WCHS President since February 2010, has been on the board of directors since 2007, and became a volunteer with WCHS over twenty years ago.  She lives on a small farm outside Joseph with her husband, Stuart,  and a wide variety of farm animals and pets.

Her interest in, and dedication to animals, has been ongoing since childhood.  Carol has  been a dog training instructor for over forty years , has thirty years pet sitting/care experience, and worked six years as a veterinary care technician .  She served on the board of directors for the Kitsap Humane Society in Washington State for three years and was a volunteer with them for ten years.  Carol has served in various officer positions, including president, for several dog clubs and organizations.

In addition to her tireless work on behalf of the Humane Society, Carol has also been active with the MidValley Theater Company, both on and off stage, and as a board member for many years.

Carolyn Wisdom - Secretary

Carolyn has had a love of animals of all kinds since childhood.  She enjoyed the companionship of a pomeranian, a boxer, and a land tortoise at her family’s home in Ardentes, France, and after the family moved back to the United States, cats, horses, guppies and the occasional bull snake.   In college she majored in French and biology, acquiring a passion for ornithology, natural history, and the outdoors along the way.  After graduation she worked for a nonprofit organization focused on environmental research, where she met her husband Max.  Carolyn and Max relocated to Lake County, Oregon where Carolyn began a career in land management planning with the Fremont National Forest.

Carolyn’s work for the US Forest Service as a planner and district ranger in central and southern Oregon gave her the opportunity to apply her love of biology and natural history to managing habitats for numerous wildlife species.  After 29 years with the Forest Service, Carolyn and Max relocated to Wallowa County in 2014 to enjoy this beautiful area and be closer to family as well.

In addition to serving on the WCHS Board, Carolyn enjoys restoring pollinator habitat on her rural acreage near Enterprise, as well as hiking, birding, buffing up her French, and serving as support staff to rescue cat Bob and spoiled but beautiful Belgian Tervuren Subi.

Susan Gilstrap, Treasurer

Susan is the WCHS Treasurer, since 2013 and keeps the finances running smoothly.  She has been a CPA since 2007.  At her business office, in Enterprise, her constant companion, Duke, her little dog, is the official greeter.  His Graduation Certificate, from obedience school, is proudly displayed on the wall.  Susan gives so much of her time, to benefit the animals, as well as donating her efforts with other non-profits in Wallowa County.  Susan and her husband Ron share their country home with 1 horse, 3 cats and of course Duke. 

Sherry Murphy

Sherry moved to Wallowa County in 2017 to be close to family following retirement. Her working years in the Willamette Valley involved more than 50 years in the travel industry with most of those in a management/training position. She has travelled the world in all directions but is ecstatically happy to be in Joseph at the picturesque foot of the Wallowa Mountains.

“I love how the residents of the County turn out to support volunteer projects of all kinds. It’s the people that make this County run. That’s the rural attitude for you – It’s important to them.”

Sherry has two cats and is waiting for the right dog to choose her. She’s hoping the timing is close with her new home and a fenced yard. The Eagle Cap Extreme Dog Sled Race (each January) prompted Sherry to gather Humane Society volunteers to assist with the four day event. She also accepted the responsibility of monthly Educational Program Chairperson.

Folks with loving pets live longer, happier lives! We rescue them but often times it’s them rescuing us......

Amy Wolf

Amy and husband Arion fell in love with Wallowa County years ago as they visited family and relaxed in the peaceful setting. Vacationing frequently with their various dogs, they discovered a place enjoyed by pets and their people and figured retirement would bring them here permanently. However, in 2017 Amy decided to leave her corporate job and make the move to Joseph. Amy and Arion opened a small unique business in Joseph catering to pets and their people and utilizing their years of experience in retail and restaurants.

With a degree in Communications and a career in Retail/Corporate Operations, Amy has spent the last 2 years in Medford OR. There she volunteered at the Jackson County animal shelter. Best days ever!! Prior to that, the Ponderay Animal Shelter in the Sandpoint, ID area was the go-to shelter. Now in Wallowa County, the opportunity to join the WCHS board is a great honor.

Adele Buttolph

Adele has had an interest in helping animals for many years. She has taken in homeless cats, cared for many housecats, and provided food, water and shelter for several ferals. Her first volunteer effort with an animal rescue organization was in 1991 with the Lost Pet Project which was set up to help reunite pets who were lost during the Oakland Hills Fire with their owners.  Her role was to contact owners who had provided descriptions of their lost pets when an animal rescued during and after the fire matched the description. 

Adele began volunteering with the Wallowa County Humane Society after the WCHS was so helpful with guidance, vaccinations, and spay/neuter of a litter of kittens that she found. While her and her husband's intent was to adopt the kittens out, they ended up being complete foster failures and adopted all six. Adele initially volunteered at the WCHS Center, then took up the role as webmaster. Presently, she is also volunteering at the Boutique and helping the WCHS in other ways as well.

Adele's other interests include photography, travel, and sourdough bread baking. She enjoys both domestic and international travel, including trips geared for photographers. She and husband Phil have lived in Wallowa County since 2005 and are presently owned by eight rescue cats.