We save ferrets.
The Willamette Valley Ferret Shelter & Rescue, located in Carlton, Oregon, is a registered 501(c) nonprofit dedicated to the care and rehoming of ferrets throughout the greater Willamette Valley. EIN: 81 – 3276015
Our mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality care and education about proper ferret ownership. We offer a safe, loving foster environment for unwanted or lost ferrets until they find their permanent homes. With many years of hands-on experience, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of care for every ferret that comes through our doors.
Our Team
Melissa - Shelter Director
Melissa works full-time in the mortgage industry and spends her time outside the office on her family’s small farm in rural Yamhill County with her husband and son. Their property is also home to the Willamette Valley Ferret Shelter, along with a lively mix of animals including a dog, cat, alpacas, and chickens—with plans to welcome even more in the future.
Her love for ferrets began when she received her first one, Figment, as a birthday gift at 18. It was love at first sight, though she quickly realized how little she knew about caring for these amazing creatures. More than 20 years later, she continues to learn and seeks out new ways to provide the best care possible.
When the local ferret shelter relocated out of the area, Melissa and her family decided to continue its mission by opening the Willamette Valley Ferret Shelter. With the support of family, friends, and the ferret-loving community, they officially opened their doors in July 2016.
Dr. Katrina Ramsell - Veterinarian / Board Member
Dr. Katrina Ramsell was born and raised in a small town in Kansas. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology from the University of Kansas in 1992, followed by a Doctorate in Neuropharmacology (1997) and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (2000) from Michigan State University.
Her passion for ferrets began in 1986, when she received her first ferret, and that experience inspired her to pursue a career in exotic animal medicine. After seven years working primarily with exotic species as an associate veterinarian, Dr. Ramsell founded Northwest Exotic Pet Vet LLC in April 2008 — a clinic dedicated exclusively to ferrets, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, and other exotic pets.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Ramsell is deeply committed to advancing exotic animal medicine through applied research. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Veterinary Pathology, Neuroscience Letters, American Ferret Report, and Ferrets Magazine, among others.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Ramsell enjoys reading to her three sons — Benjamin, Matthew, and Daniel — taking family road trips, watching science fiction movies, and playing the piano and clarinet. At home, she shares her life with three ferrets — Rico, Toasty, and Sacajawea — and a leopard gecko named Jedi.
Kay Wing - Treasurer
Kay Wing is a proud mother of four and grandmother to eight wonderful grandchildren — four boys and four girls, ranging in age from nine months to twenty-seven. Now retired, she enjoys spending her time outdoors gardening, hiking in nature, walking around the neighborhood, camping, and snowshoeing.
A lifelong animal lover, Kay delights in the playful antics of ferrets, the loyalty of dogs, and the companionship of animals of all kinds. She also enjoys expressing her creativity and almost always has a project in the works — whether it’s drawing and coloring with her grandson or remodeling her home.
Lisa Harris - Board Chair
Lisa Harris is a Certified Public Accountant with an MBA in Accounting and undergraduate degrees in Finance, Economics, and Global Studies. She also holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC).
Lisa’s love for ferrets began in 1997 when she adopted her first shelter ferret from the Kansas City Ferret Rescue. As part of the adoption process, she was required to read a specific book and pass a quiz — an experience that deepened her appreciation for shelters as vital resources for both new and experienced ferret owners. She believes there is always something new to learn about these fun-loving, sensitive animals, and that ferret-proofing is a lifelong adventure!
Lisa and her husband currently share their home with ten ferrets, three cats, three tarantulas, and two fish tanks. She especially loves the mischievous ferrets — the ones full of chaos and curiosity — and is passionate about supporting the mission of finding loving, forever homes for every ferret in need.
Volunteer 1 & 2 Names - Volunteers
About the two volunteers