Meet Our Animal Care Staff

Erica Coomber

Shelter Administrator/ Veterinary Office Assistant

Erica has been with Alberta Animal Services since March of 2008. As a child she has always been passionate about animals and always dreamed of working in the animal care field. Erica studied at ABES a community college in Calgary in 2005 and received her diploma as a Veterinary Office Assistant. Soon after graduating she worked at Calgary’s largest 24 hour Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital as an Emergency Assistant and with that experience it sparked her interest in the animal rescue and sheltering work. Erica moved to Red Deer in February 2008 after travelling and working overseas in Australia for a year. Over the years Erica has implemented the adoption and re-homing programs that are currently in place for our unclaimed animals. She has worked to develop partnerships with outside rescue agencies and pet stores in the Central Alberta Region to maximize the number of animals adopted from our facility. As the Shelter Administrator Erica is responsible for making sure the office and shelter is running smoothly and efficiently, she handles difficult customers and difficult situations and is one of the main full time receptionists; also is in charge of handling all office administration paper work, including month end reports, animal transfers and various office duties. She also helps run The City’s Spay and Neuter Program.

Kimberly Spare

Animal Care Specialist/ Dog Behaviorist

Kimberly has been with Alberta Animal Services since September 2010. She comes to us from a small town southeast of Calgary. She graduated from ICS in 2009 with a diploma in Animal Sciences and is currently working to obtain her dog training certificate through the Animal Behavior College. Kimberly comes with skills from Calgary Humane Society she worked in the animal care department for one and half years and possesses strong animal husbandry skills and is very knowledgeable in performing behavior assessments. Kimberly is in charge of performing behavior assessments on our impounded animals before they are put up for adoption, she is also our full time receptionist she has an upbeat personality and is a pleasure to deal with over the phone and in person. When not working Kimberly is spending time with her fiancé, 2 dogs, cat and parrotlet.

Meet our Dedicated Animal and

Municipal Enforcement Officers

SGT Duane Thomas

Director of Enforcement

Duane has been with Alberta Animal Services for 14 years. Prior to his current employment he was employed as a Conservation Officer with the Government of Saskatchewan, and has work experience with the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Alberta Rat Patrol.

Duane moved up to his current position within our company due to his professionalism and dedication to Animal Care and Control.

Duane studied at Lakeland College in Vermillion and has a Bachelors Degree of Applied Sciences Wildlife and Fisheries Major.

Duane lives with his wife Karen and his three children, Brenna, Sydney and Wesley.

Kevin Duval

Municipal Enforcement Officer

After three years as a security officer and a year and a half as an animal control officer, Kevin Duval comes to Alberta Animal Services from Lethbridge Alberta to fulfill an Enforcement Officer position. Alongside his work experience Kevin offers the knowledge gained from a 2 year Criminal Justice diploma which he obtained in 2006.

During the course of his work at Alberta Animal Services Kevin impounded a 6 week old male orange tabby kitten which was found as a stray about 5 months ago. This wonderful feline has since found a new home with Kevin as he rescued the kitten from Alberta Animal Services. Named ‘Ares’, the once kitten is now a striking adolescent male with bounds of energy who loved the many Christmas ornaments in the house!

As well as the company of Ares, for the past 5 years Kevin has raised a male Columbian Boa Constrictor to the healthy length of 8 feet! His size may be intimidating however Kevin assured us he is a gentle giant.

As of June 2011 Kevin began the exciting position as the Bylaw Enforcement Officer for the Town of Stettler. During the course of the last 7 months Kevin has been actively involved in investigations regarding all forms of bylaw concerns. Kevin looks forward to continue providing the Town of Stettler with effective, efficient, and consistent service for the years to come.

Brad Larsen

Municipal Enforcement Officer

Brad comes to Alberta Animal Services from Edmonton, after working two years as Security Officer. During which time he was given a position on the Canine team, and together Brad and his Patrol Dog named Tag patrolled the streets of Edmonton, for a year and a half. After deciding to strengthen his career status, Brad applied with Alberta Animal Services, and was hired in September 2011 as a Municipal Enforcement Officer. Prior to living in Edmonton, Brad graduated high school in Lacombe, in 2008. After receiving his high school diploma, he attended Lethbridge College in pursuit of a diploma in Criminal Justice Policing.

Brad is currently proudly serving greater Red Deer, Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Clearwater County, and Eckville