Our People

Our Founder

Lynea Lattanzio - Click to enlarge

Lynea Lattanzio

Over 17 years ago, Lynea Lattanzio dedicated her home, her property,
her finances and her entire life to create The Cat House on the Kings,
a no-kill, nonprofit sanctuary, rescue and adoption center for cats.
Lynea has rescued thousands of animals from shelters, abusive homes, and abandonment.


Our Staff

It takes lots of (wo)manpower and time to take care of The Cat House.

Pat Miranda - Click to enlarge

Pat Miranda

Office Manager

Behind every successful visionary like Lynea is someone equally passionate about making sure the organizational clockwork is well oiled and ticking along nicely. For us that's Pat Miranda, our Office Manager. From keeping the books to responding to special requests to hunting for cats about whom their surrenderer's want some reassurance of their well-being, Pat tackles it all with humor and efficiency. Pat quickly hopped on board with all the tools our new web site provides and frequently comes up with new ways the computer can help her get things done more efficiently.

When Pat can pry herself away from the business of The Cat House, she can be found taking care of her family, grandchildren, and all the animals living with her that she has rescued, including horses, pigs, dogs and, of course, cats!

Venessa Porras - Click to enlarge

Venessa Porras

Shelter Technician

Always a calm and gentle influence on humans and animals, Venessa is a definite positive addition to The Cat House for all of us, man and beast alike.  Her resume includes veterinary technician experience at a local vet hospital, and that makes her one of our most relied upon employees. 

The Cat House would not be "The Cat House" without her dedication, heart and educated care.  This is her in her favorite area of the shelter, the I.C.U., where her skills shine!

Carmen Gutierrez - Click to enlarge

Carmen Gutierrez

Office Assistant

As the number of cats living with us continues to grow, so does all of the administrative work required to keep track of everything. Carmen takes on a lot of the time-consuming tasks that would otherwise swamp Pat. Carmen's lively sense of humor keeps everyone in the office loose and it is rare when there is no peal of giggles from the office at some point during the day.

 


Our Volunteers

Volunteers are critical to our survival. We cherish our group, and would love to have you join us!

Tammy Barker - Click to enlarge

Tammy Barker

Off-site Adoption Coordinator/Volunteer

One of our most valuable and multi-tasking volunteers is Tammy Barker.  She does off-site adoptions, fosters a multitude of kittens, transports to other rescues out of town, helps with yard sales and has helped clean up feral colonies with Trap/Neuter/Return.  Tammy is ready, willing and able to help wherever needed.

Wanda Grove - Click to enlarge

Wanda Grove

Board Member/Volunteer

Wanda first became involved with The Cat House in June of 2000 when she was seeking help with a feral colony of cats at the Fresno County yard where she worked.  Since then, she has trapped, neutered and relocated more than 20 feral cats to The Cat House, and continues to volunteer several hours every week to care for the cats.

Wanda has been responsible for helping dozens of her co-workers get their cats and dogs spayed and neutered, and has found homes for abandoned cats and kittens at other County offices.  She and her husband, Kurt, also collect recyclables and donate the proceeds to buy food for our kitties.  Last but not least, Wanda has agreed to be on The Cat House on the Kings Board of Directors. Wanda is a diligent and extremely compassionate person. Her tremendous gifts of time, money and expertise have made a significant difference in the lives of many homeless cats.

Kathy Scheer - Click to enlarge

Kathy Scheer

Adoption coordinator, foster mom, all-round volunteer

Kathy Scheer first became involved with The Cat House 8 years ago.  Four years ago, when she retired from nursing, she began to dedicate a great deal of her spare time to the Cat House.  Tireless and deeply caring, Kathy has donated her time, energy, and financial resources to the plight of abandoned cats and kittens.

Kathy's work for The Cat House is far-reaching. She spends her time rescuing cats and kittens from the Fresno SPCA, hosting off-site adoptions at local Petco stores, helping at fundraisers, fostering kittens at her home, and coordinating transportation from the Valley to other rescue organizations throughout California. Kathy’s level of commitment is incredible, and The Cat House is very fortunate to have her as a volunteer.

Leni Mortensen - Click to enlarge

Leni Mortensen

Volunteer

Leni's passion for cats shows in her ongoing volunteer service for The Cat House on the Kings. During her 15 years as a Cat House volunteer, she has been involved in many ways.

Leni has been a constant source of motivation, leadership and management at the yard sales, open houses, Super Adoptions, Christmas Boutique and any where else she is needed. Her organizational skills have played a significant role in the success of many a fundraiser.

We are grateful for Leni's commitment and enthusiasm, and her love for cats is never-ending. Thank you, Leni, for all your hard work and dedication. Itâs great to have you on board.