Meet our team:
Ashley Thomas, Shelter Director
Ashley’s family includes an extremely supportive husband, and several rescued furry family members. Her personal experience includes cats, dogs, goats, pigs, ferrets, and birds. Ashley started working at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville in January of 2009 as a kennel cleaner. She quickly discovered that she was especially passionate about fostering animals that were not ready for adoption. During her first four years at YWAC, she worked in animal care, intake, and adoptions. In 2013, Ashley became the Placement Manager and immediately began building a foster care program which had approximately 350 families engaged in lifesaving efforts when she left YWAC. Ashley’s time running the foster program greatly expanded her medical capabilities and knowledge. As Placement Manager, she was also responsible for rescue group partnerships/placement, northern transport initiatives, helping to manage the shelter, and performing behavior assessments. Ashley is beyond excited to use her knowledge in her new role as Shelter Director for Sevier Animal Care Center. She grew up in Seymour and is overjoyed to be able to be able to help the animals in her own community.
Ashley is passionate about promoting the need for self-care in the field of animal welfare to fight the effects of compassion fatigue. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, driving sport cars, motorcycles, and obsessing over nerdy fandoms.
Ashley Thomas, Shelter Director
Ashley’s family includes an extremely supportive husband, and several rescued furry family members. Her personal experience includes cats, dogs, goats, pigs, ferrets, and birds. Ashley started working at Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville in January of 2009 as a kennel cleaner. She quickly discovered that she was especially passionate about fostering animals that were not ready for adoption. During her first four years at YWAC, she worked in animal care, intake, and adoptions. In 2013, Ashley became the Placement Manager and immediately began building a foster care program which had approximately 350 families engaged in lifesaving efforts when she left YWAC. Ashley’s time running the foster program greatly expanded her medical capabilities and knowledge. As Placement Manager, she was also responsible for rescue group partnerships/placement, northern transport initiatives, helping to manage the shelter, and performing behavior assessments. Ashley is beyond excited to use her knowledge in her new role as Shelter Director for Sevier Animal Care Center. She grew up in Seymour and is overjoyed to be able to be able to help the animals in her own community.
Ashley is passionate about promoting the need for self-care in the field of animal welfare to fight the effects of compassion fatigue. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, driving sport cars, motorcycles, and obsessing over nerdy fandoms.
Donna Charron, Kennel Manager
Donna is the proud mother of two humans and one Bernese Mountain Dog who was rescued from a puppy mill. She is also the grandmother of five marvelous children. She recently moved here from Central Florida and immediately started fostering animals for a local shelter. In Florida, Donna had several adventures which included owning/operating a successful cleaning business and gaining experience at the local SPCA. In 2004, Donna began her journey with the SPCA of Tampa Bay as a foster parent. Over 300 animals were saved by Donna’s fostering efforts. She fostered animals with every medical issue imaginable, neo-natal puppies and kittens, puppy mill survivors, abuse cases, and behaviorally challenged animals. Donna eventually joined the SPCA’s medical department and helped in all new ways. In 2015, they deployed her to join the ASPCA on a puppy mill case which entailed the processing and care over approximately 200 dogs. Donna is eager to apply her knowledge and experience to the operation of Sevier Animal Care Center. East Tennessee is Donna’s new home and she is looking forward to many years of service in animal welfare here.
Donna is the proud mother of two humans and one Bernese Mountain Dog who was rescued from a puppy mill. She is also the grandmother of five marvelous children. She recently moved here from Central Florida and immediately started fostering animals for a local shelter. In Florida, Donna had several adventures which included owning/operating a successful cleaning business and gaining experience at the local SPCA. In 2004, Donna began her journey with the SPCA of Tampa Bay as a foster parent. Over 300 animals were saved by Donna’s fostering efforts. She fostered animals with every medical issue imaginable, neo-natal puppies and kittens, puppy mill survivors, abuse cases, and behaviorally challenged animals. Donna eventually joined the SPCA’s medical department and helped in all new ways. In 2015, they deployed her to join the ASPCA on a puppy mill case which entailed the processing and care over approximately 200 dogs. Donna is eager to apply her knowledge and experience to the operation of Sevier Animal Care Center. East Tennessee is Donna’s new home and she is looking forward to many years of service in animal welfare here.
Jamie Jett, Kennel Technician
Jamie’s family includes his wife, Amy, 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 6 dogs. One of his furkids is a pitbull blend named Diesel who was adopted from our shelter. Jamie and his family volunteered with us during the first couple of months after our shelter opened. His dedication and compassion for our animals became apparent very quickly, as did his strong work ethic. Jamie was hired in January and has hit the ground running. In the recent past, Jamie has worked construction and maintenance jobs. To his credit, he has been a member of the Northview Kodak Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years, as well as a Lieutenant for 3 terms.
Jamie Jett, Kennel Technician
Jamie’s family includes his wife, Amy, 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 6 dogs. One of his furkids is a pitbull blend named Diesel who was adopted from our shelter. Jamie and his family volunteered with us during the first couple of months after our shelter opened. His dedication and compassion for our animals became apparent very quickly, as did his strong work ethic. Jamie was hired in January and has hit the ground running. In the recent past, Jamie has worked construction and maintenance jobs. To his credit, he has been a member of the Northview Kodak Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years, as well as a Lieutenant for 3 terms.
Amanda Hall, Kennel Technician
Amanda is a newlywed with a marvelous husband and an amazing son. She is also a mother to a few lucky rescued cats and a small dog. Amanda been a foster mama for feral and neonatal kittens since her sheltering career started at Young-Williams Animal Center six years ago. Amanda began her journey there as an adoption counselor, and eventually moved to the intake department where she acquired extensive experience working with many different types of animals. Amanda’s passion for helping pets in need runs deep. She is excited to join Sevierville and the surrounding counties in their mission to help prevent pet homelessness and over population.
Amanda is a newlywed with a marvelous husband and an amazing son. She is also a mother to a few lucky rescued cats and a small dog. Amanda been a foster mama for feral and neonatal kittens since her sheltering career started at Young-Williams Animal Center six years ago. Amanda began her journey there as an adoption counselor, and eventually moved to the intake department where she acquired extensive experience working with many different types of animals. Amanda’s passion for helping pets in need runs deep. She is excited to join Sevierville and the surrounding counties in their mission to help prevent pet homelessness and over population.