Who’s Who in Sonoma: Nancy King

Nancy King works in what she calls the “compassion industry”. As executive director of Pets Lifeline, she juggles all aspects of the business, from learning the personalities of the animals to putting on a fundraising extravaganza: the Black Cat Cabernet.

This year the show takes place at the Field of Dreams on September 16-17, with a matinee show for kids on Saturday, September 17.

King, who grew up in Rhode Island, has lived in Los Angeles and Marin, and now calls Sonoma home.

While we talked, she fed tiny, two-week-old kittens from what looks like a toy baby bottle. I’d forgotten how adorable (and loud) these tiny creatures are, with their eyes barely open.

Sonoma Patch: How long have you been with Pets Lifeline?

Nancy: Two and a half years.

SP: How did you first get involved?

Nancy: I was in the film industry, and came to Northern California for a job interview. I went to the Sonoma film festival and met the (then) executive director of Pets Lifeline. She was looking for somebody and I took the job. I’ve always had cats and dogs, mostly cats in my adult life because I traveled a lot and cats are easier. This was a dream for me.

SP: And now you’re the executive director.

Nancy: I’m a lucky girl. 

SP: What’s different about the Black Cat Caberet this year?

Nancy:  The artistic director, Bianca Sapetta, just performed with Joan Baez at Teatro ZinZanni. Most of the people performing have been with Cirque de Soleil at some point. Bianca is joined by her husband, a music director, so the music element will be incredible this year. And of course Thelma Houston will be here to sing.

SP: And there’s a children’s matinee- is that new?

Nancy: Yes. It’s a show for children, by children, with a troupe called Le Petit Cirque from Los Angeles. They’re so hot they were just asked to open for Justin Bieber and Beyonce.

SP: How does Sonoma contribute to Pets Lifeline, which is private non-profit?

Nancy: It has to do with community. Pets Lifeline started with “those cats look like they need food” and it’s 25 years later. I can’t imagine Sonoma without it, or all the other non-profits here. I call Sonoma “the non-profit capital of the world”.

SP: What are your biggest challenges?

Nancy: Money, money and money.

SP: How do you raise funding, other than the Black Cat Cabernet?

Nancy: Memberships, a great donor base and once in a while we have bequests- “money that falls from the sky”.

SP: I don’t think I could work here; I’d turn into one of those people with 50 cats at home. But it makes me feel much better that you don’t euthanize.

Nancy: This is one of the more uplifting places I’ve ever worked. If the animals are strays, they’re certainly better off than they were. And if they are “owner surrender”, we are entrusted to find homes for them.

SP: Is there a screening process for people who want to adopt?

Nancy: (laughing) We don’t do home visits, but we ask about traffic, children, other pets, etc. in the home. We even have a test cat to see how a specific dog will do with cats.

SP: Must be a tough cat! What do you do when you’re not working?

Nancy: I like to garden, knit and play golf. I ride my bike and hike. I’m a country girl at heart.

SP: How long before these kittens are available for adoption?

Nancy: Four weeks.

SP: I'll be back.