Cara Drake

Cara Drake is a Regional Specialist with Best Friends Animal Society, serving the South-Central region. Her passion for animal welfare originated in her childhood in rural Oklahoma, where she often cared for sick and injured stray animals. Initially pursuing a career in law enforcement by obtaining a degree in Criminal Justice at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Cara felt a compelling call to continue her work with animals. This led her to a position as an Animal Welfare Officer with the City of Edmond Animal Services, where she successfully blended her commitment to helping both animals and people.

After 13 impactful years in animal services, Cara joined Best Friends Animal Society to share her expertise across the South-Central Region, focusing on educating shelters and their employees about lifesaving initiatives. In her free time, she loves camping, hiking, and spending quality time with her husband and two sons, along with their dogs. An avid outdoors enthusiast, Cara dreams of visiting all of America’s National Parks.