Lauren Cook

Lauren Cook is the Midwest Regional Strategist for West Virginia and Ohio, based in Wheeling, WV. With a deep-rooted passion for animal welfare and community engagement, Lauren brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously served as Senior Operations Manager at the Brandywine Valley SPCA in Delaware, Director of the Marshall County Animal Shelter in Moundsville, WV, and as a veterinary technician in both spay/neuter clinics and private practice.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wheeling Jesuit University and a certificate in Animal Shelter Management from the University of the Pacific. Her professional strengths include shelter medicine, calming fearful or shy dogs, and her uncanny ability to connect with cats—earning her the title of “cat whisperer” among colleagues.

She is a fierce advocate for progressive shelter policies, thriving TNR programs, and community-centered approaches that support both animals and their humans. Lauren is outspoken against breed-specific legislation, outdated behavior assessments, and restrictive ordinances that hinder return-to-field efforts.

Outside of work, Lauren enjoys kayaking, hiking, attending pop punk shows, gaming, traveling, and exploring new breweries. She shares her home with a lively crew of pets: Buzz Lightbeer the Frenchie, Blue the Aussie, Bodhi the “giant potato” Pibble, and three orange cats—Sully, Mike, and Fuggs. Her favorite human is her wife, Madalyn.