Zoe Haraden

President

Zoe Haraden became involved with Operation Catnip when her husband came home and discovered a few kittens – and then the rest of the family in the woods behind their house.    

Almost a Gainesville "native", Zoe moved here when she was only 4.  She has always had indoor cats, but word has spread that the Haraden back porch is the place to be.  One of them, Cole, has decided that indoor living is much better!  She lives in the country with her husband, Doug, enjoying a parade of wildlife through their back yard - and cats on the back porch.  Zoe was a Subway franchisee for 40 years and co-founder of O2B Kids, but is now retired

Jane Lu

Secretary

Jane began her journey with Operation Catnip by helping with various roles at the monthly community spay/neuter clinics at UF and is excited to now serve the board of this great organization! By day, Jane works at the University of Florida managing clinical research projects. By evening, she caters to the whims of Lord Carnarvon (OC alum), Lexi (rambunctious mini Aussie) and the most recent foster from the Australian Shepherds Furever rescue. In her free time, she reads, paddles, and runs the occasional 5K.

Dr. Simone Guerios

Dr. Simone Guerios is currently a clinical assistant professor of shelter medicine at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, where she serves as the service chief and clerkship coordinator for the Veterinary Community Outreach Program (VCOP). VCOP provides valuable synergy between veterinary education and supporting local animal welfare. Veterinary students gain crucial hands-on surgical and medical experience while simultaneously offering services that reduce pet overpopulation, improve shelter animal health, facilitate adoptions, and educate the community on responsible pet ownership.

Before accepting a faculty position at the University of Florida, Dr Guerios worked as an Associate Clinical Professor in Soft Tissue Surgery and Surgical Oncology at the Federal University of Parana in Brazil. Shelter Medicine became a passion when he began providing veterinary care to dogs and cats in low-income communities in Brazil, later, she started a shelter medicine community outreach program and established the first mobile neutering unit in Brazil.

Jacqueline Basha

Jacquie’s journey and commitment to help community cats started in Weston, FL when she joined a group of caring residents in their efforts to spay-neuter and care for the 12 community cats in their development. Having owned dogs and horses for most of her life, it didn’t take Jacquie long before several community cats also joined her family.

Encouraged by the role TNR programs can play in improving the quality of life not only for cats, but for the community at large, Jacquie joined our efforts at Operation Catnip after moving to Gainesville a few years ago.

As a long-time marketing, community outreach and business development consultant, she is a strong advocate for reaching out to the business community to encourage support for Operation Catnip and their mission.

“When you take a serious look at the numbers, the efforts of Operation Catnip have dramatically reduced the intake, shelter population and euthanasia rates of felines in Gainesville. This is the message we need to spread to the residents and taxpayers of Gainesville and the business community at large.”

Gordy Braund

Gordy Braund is a food and beverage consultant, developer, and operator. He is currently an adjunct lecturer in Food and Beverage Management and Entrepreneurship at University of Florida.

Gordy is a graduate of the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business. He received management training from Darden Restaurants and Metro Media Restaurant Group.

An avid cyclist and bicycle mechanic, his hobby refurbishing bikes has yielded over 1,000 bikes for the community.

He is an outspoken advocate for community cats, and the development and training of veterinary medicine students through Operation Catnip's programs.

Gordy and his wife Jennifer live in Gainesville, Florida.