Dr. Palmer is one of the founding members of WPA. She received her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science; Marine Biology emphasis (B.S.) as well as a B.A. in Journalism/Film. She went on to receive her DVM from from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Iowa. Dr. Palmer worked in the film industry for 20 years before pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation. The crossover between the entertainment industry and wildlife inherent in the WPA’s work gives her a unique insight.

Her reason for dedicating her life to wildlife: “Wildlife rehabilitation is my passion. In it there is an opportunity to help sick and injured animals, but also rehabilitation makes clear the challenges wild animals face in a rapidly changing world. When treating animals that suffer due to human activities it is as if each one holds up a mirror for us to better see our own actions. It is hard to turn away from the work we need to do once you visualize their world more clearly, and more compassionately. Animals everywhere need our help and I am dedicated to being a part of solutions that make their lives and environments healthier and safer for them, and us.”

Mr. Ferber’s special expertise includes the investigation and prosecution of animal abuse and neglect. Mr. Ferber was the first full-time animal cruelty prosecutor in the nation (and only one other prosecutor held such a position) and instrumental in formation of first multi-agency Animal Cruelty Task Force (Los Angeles City and County), a model that is still used by other municipalities.

Mr. Ferber has testified as an “expert” in California legislature, local city councils and civil and criminal courts on vice, gangs and animal welfare. He is a guest lecturer and presenter at numerous law enforcement and law conference and law schools nationwide on animal cruelty. Mr. Ferber has authored numerous articles and has been interviewed on radio and television on a variety of animal issues ranging from breed specific legislation, hoarding, animals in film and television, farm and exotic animal welfare and animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions. He developed the first guidelines and training materials for police and animal control officers, still used locally, statewide and nationally.

Mr. Ferber created one of the first humane education programs using special needs animals in schools (elementary through high school) to teach compassion, non-discrimination and nonviolence. A brief YouTube video describes “Baron’s Buddies (search “Bob’s Baron’s Buddies”).

“From the age of 13 when my family rescued a dog the night he was going to be euthanized (Maxie, who became “my dog”), my passion has always been the “unwanted” animal, either due to age, breed, disease or special needs.

“After 33 years, including 13 years prosecuting animal abuse, I retired from LA City Attorney’s Office in 2013. For the past 40 years I’ve served on the board of numerous nonprofits focused on gang intervention/prevention, cancer patient support and, of course, animal rescue and advocacy.

“I remain a licensed California attorney providing free legal advice to animal nonprofits, animal cruelty investigators, and individuals with animal-related legal problems. I’m a very active volunteer for our local shelter, specializing in the transport of shelter animals to local veterinarians and the rescue of older, sick and special need shelter animals. In addition to being on the board of advisors of WPA, I’m currently on the board of Last Chance for Animals and VP of Mary Jo and Hank Greenberg Foundation (since 2002).

Carol has lived, studied and worked in 7 countries on 3 continents. Brought up adapting to different cultures and attitudes has made her very aware of how these are shaped by history and environments. Spending most of her youth living on a houseboat outside Paris, watching the river outside a porthole, has shaped her interest in being in touch with the day to day evolution of local wildlife and how it adapts to human interference and impact..

This continued love of wildlife never left her; even through her professional life as a French CPA and MBA. Living in Singapore for 6 years allowed her get an introduction to the marine world through scuba diving in south east Asia: Borneo, Sulawesi, Bali, Malaysia and Maldives amongst others.

Moving to San Diego, California; in 2019, Carol joined the Sierra Club Seal Society as a docent helping to educate the public on Harbor seals and sea lions in La Jolla. She then joined their leadership team working towards improving the protection of sea lion breeding areas. She enjoys devising appropriate strategies and messaging to the diverse authorities involved in protecting these marine mammals as well as seeking ways to better communicate and influence public opinion on how to safely view pinnipeds, particularly across cultures as wildlife tourism crosses cultures and borders.