Our Staff

The Animal Educators

Our animal educators have a variety of backgrounds and experience. They each bring something unique with their love of animals!

The team gathers for staff photos in 2017: Alex, Amelia, Ali, Lina, Bethanie, and Dre

Alex

Role: Owner & Founder
Area(s) of Expertise: Ferrets, Parrots, Reptiles
Native to: East Coast of the United States
Favorite Activities: Reading, rock climbing, and playing video games
History: Alex has always had a passion for animals. They worked as a museum tour guide which included an animal ambassador program before joining Painted You for their animal show programs in 2013. Alex began providing solo animal shows in 2014 and started Ferrets and Friends, LLC in 2016.
Languages: English, Spanish (fluent), and ASL (limited)

A young woman is holding a grey bunny on her shoulder

Bethanie

Role: Director of Operations since 2023, Animal Caretaker & Animal Educator since 2016
Area(s) of Expertise: Bunnies, Chinchillas, & Animal Training Techniques
Native to: East Coast of the United States
Favorite Activities: Learning new things, teaching her pets tricks, playing video games
History: Bethanie moved to the east coast when she was 12 years old. She has always had a passion for animals. She has a background in positive reinforcement training and she strives to better the lives of animals around her.

A man looks amused as a boa constrictor wraps around his shoulder and rests on his head

Dre

Role: Animal Educator since 2016
Area(s) of Expertise: Invertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles, Rats, and Animal Training Techniques
Native to: East Coast of the United States
Favorite Activities: Snowboarding, concerts, and exploring nature. His favorite animals to work with are the reptiles!
History: Dre worked with animals for over 5 years in a pet store setting before coming to Ferrets and Friends. He plans to go to school for art and photography. He spends most of his time making music, training his dogs, and working with his own collection of reptiles. At Ferrets and Friends, Dre is the most frequently requested educator due to his charisma and engaging presentation style.

Donte

Role: Animal Educator since 2019
Area(s) of Expertise: Invertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles
Native to: North America
Favorite Activities: Watching movies
History: Donte is currently attending school to study biology. His goal is to become a herpetologist.

A young woman smiles while holding one lizard to her chest while a chameleon rests on her head

Mars

Role: Animal Educator since 2023
Native to: Maryland
Favorite Activities: Acting and Cosplaying
History: Mars has been working professionally with dogs for the past 4 years in rescue, boarding and veterinary care. Mars has always had a love for exotics and is so excited to be a part of the team.
Languages: English and American Sign Language

Yae

Role: Animal Educator/Caretaker since 2023
Native to: North America
Favorite Activities: Reading, learning, dog training, and hiking,
History: Yae, scientifically known as Kinyae, has a long history of dog training and pet parenting.
Languages: English and learning Spanish

Rebecca

Role: Seasonal Animal Educator since 2018
Area(s) of Expertise: Equine Care & Training
Native to: East Coast of the United States
Favorite Activities: Riding horses and teaching lessons
History: Rebecca has been assisting with our summer camp programs since 2018.

Gabe

Role: Assistant Animal Educator since 2024
Native to: East Coast of the United States
History: Gabe is the newest member of the team!

Upper Management

An orange tabby cat sits, appearing to be talking, with a mug in front of her and a stack of business books to her left

Peach

Role: CEO (Cat Executive Officer)
Native to: The Ferrets and Friends Zoo
Favorite Activities: Cat-egorizing office supplies, consulting expert ferrets, advocating for shorter sleep cycles
History: Peach had some concerns when she started managing the human team, but she feels she has found a balance between keeping her humans challenged and motivated.

Dexter

Role: CFO (Chief Feline Officer)
Native to: The Eastern Shore
Favorite Activities: Playing with the ferrets, watching the doves, and exploring.
History: Dexter is a blind siamese mix who left his previous home and joined Ferrets and Friends at seven years old. He quickly learned the rope and is excited to bring his own management style.