but I go by Ber (like Purrr, but with a B!)
My special interests include:
Animal behavior, Live Music, Urban Biodiversity, and Education. I began my Rescue journey when I wanted to
foster a litter of kittens for my 23rd birthday back in 2018. I trapped my first cat later that year, thus
quickly catapulting me into the Springfield, MO Cat Rescue Scene. At one point, I was aiming to trap,
transport, and return about 40 cats a month. I have trapped dogs, helped at multiple vaccine clinics,
responded to rescue emergencies, ran a transportation van, trained puppies, and socialized so many kittens.
That being said, you can say I have done everything under the sun within this field and have found a true
passion for stepping up for the lives that are often forgotten. I founded Tim Traps Cats in 2021, and since
then, it has expanded to two major programs: Ozarks TNR and Stop Parvo Springfield, MO. It is important to
me that this work is community-founded, community-funded, and community-run. This will hopefully allow for a
more connected approach to the real gaps in services that the community faces.
I live in Webster County, Missouri, have been married 28 years and have 2 adult daughters. Im a photographer and also work at the clinic of a local rescue, which is so rewarding. Although I've always rescued animals, my TNR journey started in 2020 during COVID when we discovered a pregnant cat in our new neighborhood. She'd been left behind when neighbors moved and just kept reproducing as she porch surfed for food. I decided to look into how we could get this girl fixed and get her babies into a rescue. Jolene was spayed after her babies were weaned and lived in my greenhouse for a little while, then was released back into the yard. She has several feeding spots and still visits our yard. She inspired me to keep on and now I've helped trap, transport and get over 600 cats neutered. I teamed up with Ozarks TNR in early 2022 and joined the board of directors, I love this organization's vision and am so happy to be part of a team that cares about the cats (and dogs) of our community. I hope you'll join us in changing the lives of the cats around us, whether it be by joining our volunteer team, contributing financially when you can and by spreading the word!
Founder of Stop Parvo Springfield MO Animals have held a very special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. From childhood on, I have felt a connection with animals that is difficult to put into words. They have never judged me, never asked me to be anything other than myself, and time and time again, they have given me unconditional love when I needed it most. I'm 51 years old and a proud mom to two grown humans (who will always be my kids, no matter how old they get!), and a very proud mom to a house full of fur babies. Some are permanent members of my family, while others are fosters waiting for their forever homes. But while they are with me, they are all my babies. ❤️ Helping animals isn’t simply something I do. It is something that fills my heart with love, joy, purpose, and healing. Every frightened dog who learns to trust, every sick animal who gets another chance, and every pet who is protected from a preventable disease reminds me why I keep going. Stop Parvo Springfield MO began with a simple but deeply important mission: to help protect dogs from parvo by making vaccines accessible to people who might otherwise be unable to afford them. Through our free vaccine clinics and outreach, we focus on helping unsheltered and extremely low-income pet owners keep their beloved animals healthy and protected. Because a lack of money should never mean a lack of love. Today, our mission has grown to include dogs and cats, because they deserve that same opportunity for protection and care. What began with a focus on preventing one devastating disease has grown into something much bigger: helping people keep the animals they love, preventing suffering when we can, and giving dogs and cats the care and protection they deserve. I believe every animal deserves a voice, a chance, and someone willing to stand up for them. I speak for those who have no voice. And as long as there are dogs and cats who need someone to stand beside them, I'll be here.