Tessa Glover

I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and moved to Sylva in 2021. I live on mini farm with my husband Matt, son Wyatt, 4 dogs, 4 cats, a rabbit, goats, mini donkeys, geese and chickens. When I’m not working I can be found taking care of my animals, or dealing with never ending house projects! My more relaxing hobbies are gardening reading, cooking or getting out for a hike.
To say I love animals and always have is an understatement. In HS I started my career volunteering at my local wildlife rehabilitation center. I then majored in Conservation and Wildlife Management in college, and did multiple animal care internships, including at a big cat sanctuary after graduating. I returned to Philly to work at a small no-kill rescue, until getting my dream job working with cheetahs and other carnivores in Florida. I worked there for 5 years and absolutely loved the experience, I learned so much and got to do so many things I could have only dreamed of. While it was hard to leave all of my friends, my now husband relocated to the beautiful WNC mountains for a job and I was ready for a change of scenery. I switched things up and got a job involving my other passion, plants, and now seasonally work at an organic produce farm. I can’t stay away from animals so I also volunteer at Balsam Mountain nature center, and fostered multiple pregnant momma dogs and puppies for ARF in Jackson County. I’ve clearly missed working with animals so when this job opened up I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I’m very excited to bring my experience and passion to this wonderful organization and get to know all the people that make it so great!