Our Staff

Lynne Fujka

Office Manager

“I started working for Friendship in March 2010 because my love for animals drew me to want to help them. Over the last 12 years, I have had the opportunity to experience many aspects of the shelter. I graduated with a B.S. in Zoology and during my free time, I love watching the Buckeyes!

Shelby Dowdell

Communications Specialist

“I have been working at Friendship APL for 3 years. I have worked on the adoptions team as the supervisor prior to accepting my current role. I have my B.A. in Marketing, my Associates of Animal Welfare Management and an A.S. degree. I have one dog and three cats and enjoy playing soccer in my free time.”

Sue Hixson

Humane Officer

“I have been a Humane Agent for 7 years now, but have worked for FAPL for 9. I started in our Treatment Department and then supervised the TNR department for 2 years. I have an Associates in Vet Technology and an Associates in Computer Programming. I currently have two dogs from FAPL.”

Vickie McDonald

Humane Officer

“I have been with FAPL since 2018, working in treatment, surgery, and humane. Apart from Friendship, my experience includes animal education, exotic animal husbandry, and wildlife rehabilitation. I have my B.A. in music and environmental sciences, an EMT certification, and am working toward my RVT credential. I have dogs, pigs, rabbits, and one African sulcata tortoise.”

Kathy Spinale

TNR Coordinator

“I began as a volunteer with Friendship APL’s TNR program for a year and a half before being hired in February 2019. I currently have two cats, Tiny and Artie, that I adopted from FAPL after fostering them. A fun fact about myself is that I used to do search and rescue with my dog Pawnee, to locate and rescue missing people.” 

Katie Love

Foster Coordinator

“I have been at FAPL for almost 7 years, managing all areas of the shelter including adoptions, intake, animal care and fostering. Prior to FAPL I had 15+ years of experience in pet retail management. Currently I have 1 dog, 3 cats and a bearded dragon, all from the APL. In my spare time I enjoy being with my children or listening to live bands with friends.”

Allysa Bring

Veterinary Technician

“Hi, I have worked at Friendship APL for the last 11 years. I am a Registered Veterinary Technician and have an Associates Degree of Applied Science. All of my cats and dogs have been adopted from FAPL, and a fun fact about me is that I have 7 horses and a cow!”

Becca Lauffer

Veterinary Assistant

“I’ve worked at the Friendship APL for 8 years helping in both the TNR department, animal care and most recently during spay/neuter surgeries. I have two animals a cat (Meera) and a dog (Addie) who were both adopted from FAPL.”

Helena Prosowski

Animal Care Associate

“I have worked at FAPL for 15 years and my experience is mainly in cat care/foster care. I have 5 cats that are all FAPL rescues. In my free time I enjoy nature parks or frequent trips to Cedar Point.”

Emily Gray

Volunteer Coordinator

“Hi, my name is Emily and I have worked at Friendship APL for nearly 2 years. I also volunteered at FAPL when I was little and had always dreamed of working with animals! I am currently studying Psychology with minors in Sociology and Nonprofit Management. I currently have 8 animals, two of which are dogs from FAPL!”

Friendship APL

Friendship APL of Lorain CountyWe are a private, independent, non-profit humane society founded in Elyria, Ohio. We proudly own and operate the largest animal shelter in Lorain County.
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