​President - Virginia Borden (she/her)

Virginia is the president and founder of OCCRA, she worked as a 911 dispatcher in Multnomah County for 11 years and has a strong background involving animal rescue and welfare situations. She is also a rescue leader and climber with the Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue team (OHSTAR), and with her husband, Mike, operates a small farm sanctuary in Oregon City, called The Blue Button. 

​Vice President - Joanne Cloud (she/her)

Joanne has volunteered all over the country and wildlife care centers, humane societies, and met Virginia while volunteering at their favorite farm sanctuary - Odd Man Inn. Joanne has been in the United States Coast Guard for 20 years and counting. She has served all over the U.S. and been on multiple humanitarian deployments. She served active duty for 15 years and is currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. She served as a Marine Science Technician and a federal investigator for marine casualties. She is currently the Command Senior Enlisted Leader and only female Master Chief for Sector Puget Sound. Joanne was previously a vet tech, a Hospital Manager for a veterinary clinic and the Program Manager for Clark County Animal Protection and Control. She has participated in and investigated hundreds of animal cruelty cases and animal seizures, and is NACA I and NACA II certified.

She has a husband who puts up with her antics, 4 kids and a farm full of animals. If she ever gets free time she enjoys hiking with her dogs and being at the beach.

Secretary - Alicia K Laing (she/her)

Alicia is the secretary of OCCRA, as well as one of our responders. She has worked as an emergency room nurse and charge for the last ten years. Alicia’s extensive medical background and experience as a lead in emergency situations makes her an important part of all we do, and the decisions we make! She also has one of the biggest hearts for animals we know! 

​Treasurer - Mike Borden (he/him)

​Mike is our treasurer and one of our responders. He is a firefigher/EMT and harbor pilot with the local fire bureau for the last 20 years. Mike is not only our treasurer, but our mechanic, and go-to gear guy, he keeps our equipment taken care of, running well, and keeps us safe on the road. You name it, he can fix or upgrade it! Together, he and Virginia also run a small rescue farm at their home in Oregon City.

​​Lead Responder - Darci Love (she/her)

Darci is one of our main after hours responders. She responds to animal control related call outs as well as assists OCCRA with rescue missions and transports of animals in need. Darci is a local vet tech with an array of animal experience, and we are very lucky to have her  on the team!

​Lead Responder - Shannon Dooley (she/her)

​Shannon is our other main lead responder. She is on call with the county after hours for animal control and also assists OCCRA in animal rescue callouts and transports. Shannon’s experience and comfortability with a wide range of domestic, farm and wild animals is a great asset to OCCRA and we are thankful for her on our team!

​Volunteer - Amber Burnside

Amber is a queen of responders and devotes her time to volunteering to helping animals and humans in any way she can. Whether it's taking care of her pile of cats at home or helping with her families foster children, her arms are guaranteed to be full at any given moment. Amber met Virginia in 2019 while volunteering with farm sanctuaries, and from there got acquainted with OHSTAR and OCCRA. Her devotion to kindness knows no bounds and she falls in love with every bird she meets. Here she is with her good friend Mark, at a local farm rescue.

​Volunteer - Ryan Burnside

Ryan started volunteering at farm sanctuaries in 2019 where he was introduced to Virginia and joined OHSTAR based on the rope skills he uses at his day job as a high-rise window cleaner. If a cat is in trouble, he grabs his cape and comes running to the rescue! Being a member of OCCRA and OHSTAR keeps Ryan busy, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

Volunteer - Amy Vandenbroucke

Volunteer - Amy    Vandenbroucke

Amy started volunteering with the Oregon Humane Society in March 2021, joined their Technical Animal Rescue (OHSTAR) team in July, and then quickly joined OCCRA after meeting Virginia through OHSTAR. As a teenager she   volunteered at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center Clinic in Illinois and has raised dogs since then.