“I am a licensed professional engineer and geotechnical engineer both in Washington and in Oregon,” says Dan.
“Columbia West Engineering is a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm serving Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area. We ensure that whatever gets built is built on solid ground. We explore and test soils, assess slopes and landslide risk, evaluate earthquake hazards, design foundations and retaining walls and help projects handle stormwater responsibly. Our clients include public agencies, school districts, affordable housing organizations, developers and public utility companies. Since we’re a local firm, our staff members live, work and raise their families -- and pets -- here, so caring for this community comes naturally to us.
“We got involved with Furry Friends because of my wife, Joalene. She came to Furry Friends out of a lifelong love for animals and has since become a dedicated foster mom and hands-on volunteer. Over the years, our home has been a revolving door of kittens, mama cats and recovering cats. Seeing the organization’s work -- including the care, the volunteers, and how much each cat matters -- made supporting it an easy decision for our entire family.
To learn more about Joalene, please visit her volunteer spotlight at www.furryfriendswa.org/volunteer-spotlights/joalene-vs-9-26.
“We became a Furry Friends sponsor to give back to the community where we live and work. Joalene sees firsthand what a dollar does: it goes towards the costs of kitten formula, vaccines, spay and neuter surgeries, and vet care, turning even the sickest stray into a healthy and adoptable companion. Sponsoring through Columbia West lets us multiply each dollar. We know how much good this volunteer-run rescue does, and we want them to be able to keep saying “yes” to cats in need.
“We give back in this way because this is our home. Clark County has been good to us and to our business, and we believe in helping the community that supports us. Animals can’t ask for help, so it’s up to people to speak up and step up for them. As for the issues Joalene and I are passionate about: animal welfare, first and foremost: spaying and neutering, caring for strays and community cats, and ensuring that every adoptable animal has a real chance at a loving home. More broadly, we care about wildlife and the natural world. Joalene feeds and helps all kinds of wild creatures, especially birds, and we both value protecting the open spaces and habitats that make the Pacific Northwest such a special place to live.
“In addition to large extended families, we have three cats, Joshie, Hollywood and Sophie, and two dogs, Bella and Bentley. They’re more than pets; they’re part of the ‘foster’ team. Our resident crew helps the foster kittens ‘grow up’ by teaching them manners, confidence, and how to get along with cats and dogs alike. This makes them even better prepared for their permanent homes.
“As for our interests: we both love birds, birdwatching and nature hikes. Joalene has turned our property into a haven for wildlife, with bird nests and nesting boxes all around it. She was thrilled when a pair of rare western bluebirds chose to nest with us these past two years. I also enjoy helping out with the wildlife projects as well as cycling, rockhounding and photography.”
_________________________________________________________
Furry Friends VIP Spotlights are compiled and edited by Nomi Berger who is the bestselling author of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and hundreds of articles. She is a volunteer writer for Furry Friends in Vancouver, WA and also volunteers her writing skills to animal rescue groups in Canada and the USA.
