Board Of Directors

Steve grew up in Sarasota, Florida where his family always had dogs and horses. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Florida in 1990. His first job after graduation landed him in Ft. Myers working for an agricultural chemical manufacturer. He is currently the area manager for Mayo Ag Services, conveniently his office is just down the street from the CHS clinic, while residing in Alva with his wife Karla. The couple have adopted numerous animals over the years from dogs to cats, horses, cows and a donkey. Steve always says that if an animal crosses their cattle guard, then it has probably found it’s forever home.

Steve Kaufman’s email for inquiries: [email protected]

Melissa Music is a life-long resident of Hendry County, graduating from LaBelle High School and attending Edison State College. She is currently the Programs Manager at the Hendry County Economic Development Council, previously working for the Hendry County School Board and Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.

She has devoted her private life to being a wife to her husband Robby, and mother (to teenagers and animals alike), but loves to volunteer for local organizations in her free time. She has volunteered for Relay for Life of LaBelle, held many positions for the Swamp Cabbage Festival, arranged entertainment for the 4th of July Red, White & Tunes in LaBelle, and she is excited to be the newest Director on the Board of Directors here at the Caloosa Humane Society.

Melissa has adopted from the Caloosa Humane Society in the past, and she’s proud to say that she is still the human of her 15 year old Maltese Penny. She has two other dogs, Hank and Toby, along with two cats, Conway and Loretta.

Laura has lived in LaBelle for nine years. She is currently retired but spent her career advocating for abused and neglected children. Laura looks forward to advocating for the animals at Caloosa Humane Society. Laura has two dogs their names are Maggie and Moe.

Deirdre Purvis recently became a board member of Caloosa Humane Society.  She is a teacher, wife, and mother.

Deirdre has been married for 20 years to Douglas Purvis and has two wonderful children; Jaxon, who is 18 and attends the University of Florida, and Jaelyn, who is  just finishing her freshman year at LaBelle High School.
She also has two fur babies, Zoey and Twiggy.

Although Deirdre is an accountant by trade, she  traded in her calculator to pursue her passion as an educator. She has been teaching for 17 years with the last two years being a sixth grade ELA teacher at LaBelle Middle School.

Karla is a native of Ft. Myers, also having lived in Gainesville, FL, Reno, NV and San Antonio, TX. She has been a registered nurse for 32 yrs. A lifelong animal lover, she has always had multiple rescue animals at any given time. Her first encounter with CHS was going to one of their monthly garage sales several years ago, where she bought tickets for the Peace, Love and Paws Gala. This led to volunteering and ultimately joining the board in December 2016. Karla and her husband, Steve, reside in Alva. They share their home with 6 dogs, 5 cats, 3 cows, 2 mustangs and 1 burro, all rescues of course. Steve loves animals just as much as she does.

Toddy grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Florida 17 years ago. As a child, she was often bringing stray animals home. As an adult, not much has changed.

Toddy attended John Carroll University, where she earned her Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in English literature.
Her first career was in fundraising and grant writing; before she transitioned to her true calling – training dogs.
Toddy owns a dog training business. She loves working with shelter dogs to find them a forever home. Under her guidance, many of these dogs go on to do therapy work in our community.

Toddy is married to her high school sweetheart, Brian. They have 2 adopted dogs who are their pride and joy.

Toddy began volunteering for CHS in 2015; and was instantly hooked. She is very proud to be a member of the Board of Directors.

Sherry (Chapman) Kaye has called LaBelle home since 1990, where she raised four children and now enjoys the company of eight wonderful grandchildren. Recently retired from a 22-year career with The Hendry County BOCC, Sherry remains active in her community by teaching Aqua Zumba and volunteering. Over the past six years, she has helped many in LaBelle overcome both mental and physical challenges through her classes.

A passionate animal lover from a young age, Sherry shares her home with two dogs and a cat, all rescues. She also enjoys pet-sitting for friends and neighbors. After remarrying three years ago, Sherry and her husband Casey chose to stay in LaBelle, where she continues to volunteer at The Caloosa Shelter, garden, craft, and spend time with her grandchildren.

Sherry is excited to serve on the Board of Directors at CHS, where she looks forward to advocating for animals for many years to come.