Meet Our Staff

Diane
I am the owner of Diane's Discount Pet Supplies and Adoption Center. I have worked with animals since I was 12 years old at: kennels, veterinary offices, pet shops, and pet grooming salons. I started my store with the concept that you can earn a living by doing what you enjoy and still give back to the animal world. In 1993 I served on the board of a no-kill animal shelter for four years -- The Animal Refuge Center "ARC" in Ft Myers FL. ARC had lost its lease and was in desperate need of a new home. By soliciting donations from a committed community, ARC was able to purchase its current home situated on 20 acres. It was an awesome feeling to have been a part of the purchase and start-up of the shelter. I also volunteered with a local low-cost spay neuter organization. My husband Dr. Steve Silberman D.V.M. and I have two young daughters, and "Scout," our mixed breed puppy adopted from the center that now weighs 107 lbs. "Hattie," and "Vinny," my Yorkies and "Chad," our Labrador Ret., have all passed away.  Our newest addition to the fanmily is a Shi-Tzu we named "Lexi". We also have two feline friends "Buddy" who was brought into the emergency vet. clinic after being thrown from a moving car, and our newest addition "Mowgali," a kitten from our adoption center who is so incredibly sweet I can't believe nobody wanted him. I also own a 75-gallon saltwater aquarium and a hamster named "Oreo". I enjoy trail running, working out at the gym, and spending my spare time with my family. My e-mail address is Diane@ddpets.com.

Danise
(Pictured left) I have been in the retail pet industry for twenty years. I adopted a Labrador Retriever from the adoption center. She has taught me that crate training is an absolute must unless you enjoy coming home to a couch that looks like it went threw a wood chipper. I make a habit of feeling sorry for birds that get picked on by other birds and I adopt them. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, going to flea markets and reading. I collect antiques, bird houses and Boyd Bears.

Elaine
(Pictured with Yorkie) I am Diane's mother and have been with the shop since it opened. I am forced to put up with a lot of harassment from the staff. I usually keep a low profile but I always support my daughter's decisions. An "Oh well, I'm only the mom," usually works. I have two Yorkshire Terriers one is named "Shaineh" and the other is "Teeka", they are both  all terrier. Whenever I'm not chasing them around I enjoy spending my time with my four children and grandchildren. I also like to garden, paint, read, and play on the computer.

Terry
(Pictured right)I have been in the pet industry for over 30 years. This includes handling, training; professional all breed dog & cat grooming for pet and show; doing search and rescue; and working in retail sales and management. I am the one in charge when the boss isn't here. My own animal kingdom consists of "Zachary" a three yr. old Miniature Daschund, "Bella" my little Chihuahua puppy, "Sunny" a Doberman with horrible allergies and "Jacks" my Corgie mix.  I also have two cats, three birds, many reptiles, and a rat. I also share my household with a little girl and her mother. I am a current board member and past secretary of The North American Beauceron Club.

Mary
(Pictured left) I have been employed at Diane's for the past nine years. Mostly, I enjoy working with snakes and birds. I pride myself in keeping the store smelling and looking clean. I am the mother of two beautiful girls. The baby birds I hand raise look at me with the same eyes that my girls did when they were infants. I have a Fila Broslareo "Newt," a Pit Bull "Star", a disabled Pug "Sophia", four cats, three Green Wing Macaws, A talking Amazon, a hairless rat and two snakes. I enjoy spending time with my kids and my animals. I also love to hike, fish, and participate in any river activities.

Lauren (Pictured second from left)

Rebecca
(Pictured second from right ) I have been working with animals for over seven years. I was training to become a veterinary technician at my previous job. I have learned a great deal about birds, fish, and reptiles at Diane's. Currently I am certified in freshwater fish and reptiles. My two cats are "Bacchus"  and "Sully". Both of them I adopted from the store as kittens. "Bacchus" is the more laid back of the two, but very lovable. "Sully's" favorite thing to do is to carry his toy around in his mouth after he is done beating it up. I also have a goldfish pond with three goldfish and a few frogs that have made it their home. All of the goldfish are named. I love spending all my spare time with my brand new baby girl. She sometimes comes to work with me. My other interests include oil painting and pencil drawings.

Jenn
(Pictured right) I started working at Diane's cleaning and caring for the animals about thirteen years ago. I have attended many seminars. I am currently canine, feline, avian, freshwater and saltwater fish certified. I am in complete control of all facets of the fish department. I love all the animals that we have at the store but my passion is for the world that lives underwater. I have also successfully raised orphaned squirrels, raccoons, bunnies, and even chipmunks. I have two Labrador Retriever mixes, four cats, and four freshwater tanks. I like to spend my spare time with my husband and two daughters. I enjoy painting, writing, reading, and motorcycle racing. I could not imagine life without pets.


Chris
(Pictured left) I've been employed at Diane's for a little over 3 yrs. and now have aquariums, cats and a angora rabbit. I can see the beginnings of a small zoo emerging . I've always enjoyed being around animals and observing nature. I'm also an artist, musician, chef, carpenter, professional painter and a daddy. My wife and I enjoy spending time with our son. When I'm not chasing after him I like to play golf and fish.





Becky
(Pictured right) I have worked in the pet industry for eighteen years. I love working with animals! I am married and the mother of three children. I have five dogs, one cat, and a 90-gallon aquarium. I enjoy my entire family. My kids love my animals and the animals love and protect the kids. I can't imagine life without them. I also like sports, chocolate, and baking.
 

Missy                                                                                                        (Pictured left) I have been working at Diane's since I was very young. Mary is my mom so I have had pet related experience my entire life. I am the reptile specialist at the store. I have fresh and saltwater fish tanks and a huge menagerie of pets in my home from Bearded Dragons to Chihuahua's. In my spare time I go to school and do pet sitting. Janine and I are not sisters or twins.

Janine
(Pictured right) I’ve been working at Diane’s since early 2004. I am knowledgeable in both freshwater and marine fish, small animals, and cats. I am quickly learning about reptile, bird and dog care. I currently have three fish tanks, a 75-gallon aggressive freshwater, a 38 gallon-Tetra tank, and a 10-gallon saltwater reef. I have a mixture of small animals, including a parakeet and gerbils and I share the house with 4 cats. Two of the cats I’ve bottle raised (Tiger and Link), one I’ve rescued from a shelter (Abby), and one was thought to be feral (Myst). We’ve struggled for about a year with urinary tract issues with Myst and I’ve learned a lot from this ailment, so I know how frustrating it is to live with FUS. I also adopted a dog from the adoption center who has food allergies. It has taught me very much about what is in a bag of dog food.