The Cougar Pets Mission
Cougar Pets is a no-kill, non-profit rescue organization affiliated with the Central Carolina Community College Veterinary Medical Technology program. We rescue dogs and cats from high-kill environments and take them into our colony so that they can receive medical care and socialization until they are adopted. The students of the VMT program learn husbandry and clinical skills by caring for the colony animals.
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Saving lives is our passion! When we transfer animals out of shelter situations, we are not only providing invaluable education for our students, but we are also helping to save lives by freeing up much needed space, and giving dogs and cats a second chance at adoption.
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Though we are registered as a research facility with the USDA, we never do any research on our animals. We also operate as a no kill facility, and pride ourselves on our 99.8% adoption rate.
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Cougar Pets Quick Facts:
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· Founded in 1965
· No kill, no research facility
· 99.8% Adoption Rate
· We only euthanize in cases of medical necessity
· Average Time in Colony:
· Dog: 6 months
· Cat: 11 months
· All animals are housed in large runs with daily enrichment and social time
Our Team
Jessica Holt, DVM
Animal Care Coordinator
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Dr. Holt graduated from the University of Tennessee and worked in small animal practice for several years prior to joining the faculty at CCCC in 2016. She loves both cats and dogs and working with rescue animals. She spends her free time with her husband, her lab, Amos, and her two cats, Coconut and Bob. There is often a foster pet or two in the house for extra love. Dr. Holt also has a CougarPet alumni: a dog named Statler!
Tara Gillis, RVT
Animal Facilities Manager
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Tara graduated from the VMT Program here at Central Carolina Community College in 2018. Since then, she has worked in small animal general practice, emergency and critical care, and veterinary relief work prior to joining the faculty at CCCC in 2023. She loves all animals but has a special place in her heart for reptiles, particularly snakes and tortoises. She spends her free time with friends, family, and her pets - a naked guinea pig named Ralph, a cat named Ebony, and two dogs who are CougarPet alumni: Millie and Scamp!
Mystique Barnes
Kennel Assistant
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Mystique joined our team as a kennel assistant in 2025 and is a current student of the Veterinary Technology Program at Central Carolina Community College. Mystique has one cat named Freya that is her whole world. Mystique plans to go into emergency medicine or work with exotics after graduation. We are very fortunate to have Mystique as part of our animal care team at the Cougarpet Rescue!
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Susell Castro - Troche
Kennel Assistant
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Susell joined our team as a kennel assistant in 2025 and is a current student of the Veterinary Technology Program at Central Carolina Community College. Susell was born in Puerto Rico and moved to North Carolina in 2014. Susell likes to spend their free time with their cat Milo and plans to work in a small animal general practice after graduation. We are very fortunate to have Susell as part of our animal care team at the Cougarpet Rescue!​
Sam Ortiz
Kennel Assistant
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Sam joined our team as a kennel assistant in 2025 and is a current student of the Veterinary Technology Program at Central Carolina Community College. Sam has a cat named Starburst and pet sits frequently. Sam wants to work with exotics or go into small animal practice upon graduation. We are very fortunate to have Sam as part of our animal care team at the Cougarpet Rescue!
Jennifer White
Kennel Assistant
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Jennifer joined our team as a kennel assistant in 2025 and raises and sells sheep and goats. In their free time, Jennifer enjoys relaxing with their cat, Mighty Mouse, and dressing up their goats. Jennifer plans to work with large animals after graduating from the Veterinary Medical Technology Program here at Central Carolina Community College. We are very fortunate to have Jennifer as part of our animal care team at the Cougarpet Rescue!
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Beth Lupold
Kennel Assistant
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Beth joined our team in June of 2023. She brings with her a background of experience with boarding facilities and practice management. During her free time, she runs a successful pet sitting business, spends time with her husband, and enjoys hanging out with her own fur babies, one of which is a CougarPet alumni! We are very excited to have her!