Staff

Planned PEThood’s founders are Elizabeth Burgner and Lynette Crane Purves. 

Elizabeth Burgner - Director

Elizabeth Burgner has 18 years of experience in companion animal rescue, including six years as President or Vice-President of CARL, an all-breed rescue group.  Following over 20 years of broad Office, Customer Service, and Account Management experience, including the successful start-up of a new department for a large international corporation, Elizabeth took a position in 2004 as Clinic Manager for a local non-profit Spay/Neuter clinic.  In this position, she has gained invaluable experience in the day-to-day operation and long-term planning involved in running a non-profit veterinary practice, and now wishes to utilize this experience to broaden the low-cost options offered to the Metro Atlanta area.

Lynette Crane-Purves - Director

Lynette Crane-Purves has over ten years of experience in dog and cat rescue and over six years on the board of CARL, an all-breed rescue group. Lynette also has over ten years of management experience in Customer Service and Medical Sales Administration specializing in stream-lining processes and implementation of new systems and procedures. 

Together, as founding members of CARL, an all breed rescue group, Lynette and Elizabeth have brought professionalism and a customer service philosophy to the group, treating potential adopters and the public in general as “customers” and running the non-profit organization like a business which needs to maintain its public image in order to rely on referrals and reputation for future adoptions and donations.  Since the beginning of their relationship as co-workers nearly 20 years ago, they have proven their compatibility in business and rescue, and they share a life goal of reducing the overpopulation, and accompanying suffering and euthanasia, of companion animals.

Medical Director

Planned PEThood's Medical Director is Joanna Bowyer, DVM.   Dr. Bowyer is a 1996 honor graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.  She is passionate about surgery and kitties - a good combination for feral cats!  Dr. B. is married to her high school sweetheart, John, and has seven (yes, seven) fur babies - 2 orange kitties (Cuervo & Tess), 2 orange & white kitties (Julep & Dixie), and 3 hound dogs (Karma, Kismet & Perry).  When she isn't working, she can be found out in the garden, taking pet photos, or doing agility with the dogs (and sometimes the cats!). 

Veterinary Technician

Holley Freeman is Planned PEThood's veterinary Technician.  Holley grew up in Fairport, NY and Covington, GA.  During high school, Holley worked in a kennel which inspired her to work with animals.  She started her first veterinary assistant job in 2007 and was quickly promoted to veterinary technician.  Holley worked in private practice as technician manager from 2007-2010.  Holley loves to improve her veterinary knowledge by attending CE programs.  Holley believes strongly in spay/neuter and is a huge advocate for TNR.  She married her high school sweetheart in 2007 and they now live in Loganville, GA with their furbabies (two dogs and five cats) and two roommates!  Holley believes that Planned PEThood is a much needed service for Gwinnett County and is very proud to have helped us launch this service!