Katie Kefalos

Director of Wildlife Rehabilitation

Katie discovered her passion for Pennsylvania native wildlife after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh and completing several internships working with exotic species. She began her wildlife rehabilitation journey as a volunteer at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh and joined the team as a part-time rehabilitation assistant in 2015. Today, she leads the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s efforts to provide expert care for thousands of injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals each year.

While she enjoys working with all of Pennsylvania’s native species, Cedar Waxwings hold a special place in her heart for their sweet songs and charismatic personalities. Outside of wildlife rehabilitation, Katie enjoys gardening, though she admits her success rate with houseplants is still a work in progress.

Colleen Dougherty

Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager & Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

Colleen Dougherty began her journey with Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in 2015 as an intern. Inspired by the organization’s mission and the dedication of its staff, she joined the team and worked in animal care while completing her education. She earned a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, along with a minor in History and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems, and became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in 2019.

Colleen is passionate about caring for Pennsylvania’s native wildlife and especially enjoys working with Red Foxes because of their curious and playful nature. Outside of the Wildlife Center, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing video games, and spending time with her husband, David, and rescue dog, Zuko.

Lauren Gibbons

Lauren developed her passion for wildlife conservation and rehabilitation during an internship with Wild Instincts in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. She joined Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in 2019 as an Animal Care Technician and advanced to become a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator through the Pennsylvania Game Commission in 2023. Lauren also oversees the Center’s Release Site Program, helping ensure rehabilitated wildlife can safely return to their natural habitats.

She values the opportunity to support Pennsylvania’s native wildlife throughout every stage of the rehabilitation journey, from intake and treatment to release and beyond. While she enjoys working with all native species, Northern Flickers are her favorite. Outside of the Wildlife Center, Lauren enjoys traveling, hiking, beekeeping, and gardening with her husband, Russ.

Annie Matthews

Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
Bat Specialist & Intern Coordinator

Annie earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Francis University and has participated in wildlife fieldwork in the Galápagos Islands and St. Lucia. Annie discovered her passion for wildlife rehabilitation during her internship at the Center and later joined the medical team, eventually becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator through the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Today, Annie helps care for a wide variety of Pennsylvania’s native wildlife while overseeing the Center’s intern program and mentoring future wildlife professionals. Although she enjoys working with many species, bats are her favorite patients. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Willow, her rescue dogs, Freya, Loki, and Fenrir, and her two ferrets, Odin and Pepper.

Chelsea Poteet

Wildlife Center Volunteer & Operations Manager

Chelsea earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Edinboro University. During her studies, she gained hands-on wildlife rehabilitation experience through an internship at Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center and conducted research examining the diet and body size of endangered freshwater turtle species. After returning to Pennsylvania, she joined Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center as Volunteer Manager.

Today, Chelsea oversees the Center’s volunteer program, helping train and support the dedicated volunteers who make wildlife rehabilitation possible. She also enjoys caring for Pennsylvania’s native wildlife, especially Virginia opossums. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, Jacob, and her cats, Regina George and Polly Pocket.

Taylor Ewan

Wildlife Rehabilitator and Release Site Coordinator

Taylor Ewan earned her bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Pittsburgh. Her passion for wildlife rehabilitation grew through internships at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Center and the Pittsburgh Zoo, inspiring her to pursue a career working directly with Pennsylvania’s native wildlife. After joining the Wildlife Center as a seasonal Animal Care Attendant, Taylor advanced to a full-time role and later joined the medical team as a Wildlife Rehabilitator in 2021. Today, she oversees the Center’s Release Site Program, helping ensure rehabilitated wildlife can safely return to their natural habitats.

Taylor enjoys working with all native Pennsylvania species, but Virginia opossums and birds of prey, including Red-tailed Hawks and Great Horned Owls, hold a special place in her heart. Outside of the Wildlife Center, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Mike, spending time outdoors, reading, and crocheting. She also shares her home with two cats, Suki and Toph, and a bearded dragon named Winston.