About Jigsaw

Mission: To elevate your animal care.

Vision: To create a world where people feel empowered to continually strive to improve the well-being of the animals in their care.

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

Charlie Payne

PSM. LATg. CIG.

My journey began as a volunteer at a wolf sanctuary when I was 18, which sparked a lifelong passion for animal care. I earned a degree in zoology and a minor in business administration from Colorado State University and worked in various animal-related fields, including zoos, lab animal facilities, and shelters. Along the way, I pursued a master's in zoo, aquarium, and animal shelter management, completing a capstone project on zoo animal socialization and positive reinforcement training, as well as a graduate certificate in nonprofit administration.

Currently, I am working toward a PhD in lab animal behavior and welfare. My research is rewarding, and some of things I have learned have been requested by other organizations. Now, I share my expertise to help improve animal care practices everywhere.

My experience with pets started with me growing up in a home that valued the animals we called family. Beyond that, I have worked at shelters, sanctuaries, and pet stores, gaining valuable experience connecting animals to new homes or rescuing animals from homes that could not provide proper care.
I spent a semester helping teach a service dog training class through Colorado State University, and worked through the individual needs of both dog and trainer.
My positive reinforcement strategies will effectively modify your animal’s behavior while maintaining a strong bond between you and your pet.
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With experience at zoos, sanctuaries, and shelters, I have a well-rounded background in nonprofit animal management. Through both my work as an employee and as a student with limited funding, I have learned how to accomplish projects on small budgets. I have also learned how to work with a variety of species with varying levels of socialization and prior training.
My experience includes:
- Volunteering at a wolf sanctuary for nearly a decade before becoming the manager of animal care and enrichment
- Working as an animal care technician for an open-admission animal shelter
- Interning and working seasonally at zoos with different taxa, as well as completing a master’s capstone project on zoo animal socialization and training
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With experience as a lab animal technician, earning both my LAT and LATg, as well as becoming an animal care supervisor for a GLP lab, I am well aware of the challenges in improving husbandry and research practices.
As a PhD student studying lab animal behavior and welfare, I am accustomed to working within budgets and IACUC protocol restraints. I have learned to research thoroughly, think of pitfalls, have alternative approaches, and get used to problem-solving. My research may be challenging, but it is rewarding. I know I can help you achieve that level of satisfaction, too.
Check out my service offerings here