Our Shelter Directors
Cassie comes to The Cat Connection eager to co-direct with colleague Garvan. A life-long Bay Stater and Clark University graduate, Cassie began her career in social work for children, students, and families. Initially inspired by Hannah Shaw (a.k.a Kitten Lady) on Instagram, in 2016 Cassie began volunteering at a local cat shelter, subsequently fostering and eventually joining the staff. As the Senior Shelter Manager for 5 years, she expanded her network and knowledge of the cat welfare community. Leading the foster, adoption, intake, medical, and social media programs at various times, Cassie is excited to contribute her experience and passion to The Cat Connection.
Cassie and her partner, Josh, reside in Boston with their three cats Geronimo, Jim, and Margery. They have fostered many others, from day-old orphaned kittens needing 24/7 care, to fearful cats needing the time, space and patience to feel safe and happy.
Cassie splits her time between The Cat Connection as the Medical Director and at Boston Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Technician Assistant.
Garvan comes all the way from Dublin, Ireland. In his 20s (an age lost in the mists of time) he arrived in the US, with a head full of hopes and unrealistic expectations, but managed to marry a very smart woman. In 2004 he received his Master of Education from the University of Maryland, and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Pine Manor College in MA. He taught high school for 10 years and would rather herd cats. He is an author with over 20 published short stories and a novel, the title of which cannot be printed here.
From 2016 to 2019 he worked at the Gifford Cat Shelter in Brighton, where he gained invaluable experience and co-managed the shelter for two years. In November of 2021, he worked for five weeks in Utah interning at Best Friends Animal Society and returned in March of 2022 for ten weeks working at Cat World, focusing specifically on cats with special needs.
His interests lie in the area of cat behaviorism and cats with special needs: physical, mental, or medical. He is currently writing a novel about Scottish Wildcats and their reintroduction to the highlands of Scotland. He lives in Cambridge with his wife and three cats.
