Jeff Popowich, Animal Care Operations Manager
Jeff Popowich is the animal care operations manager for Best Friends Animal Society. Jeff oversees the day-to-day operations involved in care of the animals at Best Friends and works with all the animal departments to ensure that best practices are being used for animal care, enrichment and housing.
Jeff came to Best Friends in 2003; his first job was as a caregiver in Dogtown. In short order, he became the head vet tech and medical liaison for the Best Friends clinic. He is known for his ability to develop a personal, trusting relationship with each dog who comes to the sanctuary. He says patience is key when working with animals who are frightened or uncomfortable in new situations.
At the clinic, he conducted basic physical exams, performed diagnostic tests, administered vaccinations and microchipped animals. He was also responsible for their daily health maintenance, which involved distributing medications and working closely with the caregivers to ensure the health of the dogs.
Jeff has been involved in many of Best Friends' rapid response efforts. His medical expertise and dog-handling skills qualified him to be one of the first Best Friends staff sent to New Orleans in 2005 for the Hurricane Katrina pet rescue. He remained a driving force for much of Best Friends' 241-day commitment there, setting up and operating the medical unit at Celebration Station. Jeff has completed seven FEMA Emergency Management Institute courses and he was certified as an EMT in 2007.
He was also a member of the first crew sent out to Pahrump, Nevada, last year to help rescue 800 cats in an institutionalized hoarding situation that was dubbed the Great Kitty Rescue. He set up the medical component of that operation and did the same for the rescue of 179 puppy mill dogs that Best Friends conducted in October 2007. Jeff also led the Best Friends team that assessed the Vick dogs after they were removed from the estate of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick. When the court awarded 22 of the dogs to Best Friends, Jeff organized their transport to the sanctuary.
In his spare time, Jeff loves playing with his family of dogs and riding motorcycles. He also enjoys fostering dogs, especially those with medical challenges.
