Laura
Community Outreach Programs, General Donations & Spay/Neuter Vouchers – ext. 101
Laura@petorphans.org

Laura comes to us from the Restaurant Business, having spent the last ten years managing restaurants in the area. A natural people person, she has been an asset in the front office dealing with the public on a daily basis. Always willing to help out in any way she can, Laura recently assisted the Humane Education department with a Telemundo Event as our Spanish speaking representative, is currently bottle feeding a kitten that she rescued at one day old and can be seen on our Fox 11 news spot every so often. Our dogs and cats aren't her only passion, Laura also rescues birds and plants in need. This proud grandma of two girls has a big heart for all creatures.

Tammy
Public Relations/Marketing – ext. 102
Tammy@petorphans.org

Tammy joined Pet Orphans in March of 2008. For a few years now, she has been involved with rescue, both independently and as a volunteer for different organizations. While working from home as a Voice Coach, she had the privilege to foster many of the dogs she had placed in their forever homes. She teaches singing to all ages and feels blessed to be working at the two things which mean the most to her, both animals and music. Tammy looks forward to growing with Pet Orphans and helping to bring awareness about animal cruelty, neglect, puppy mills, over-breeding and to work towards eventually changing laws in regards to all of it. Humanity needs more Humane Education and awareness to prevent the travesties which continue to plague the animals.

Alexis
Adoption Coordinator – ext. 103
Alexis@petorphans.org

Alexis came to Pet Orphans in December of 2003 after volunteering at a multitude of rescues since she was a little girl. She has always had an immense passion for animal welfare and even became a vegetarian at age 4. She has fostered countless numbers of abandoned animals and raised many from birth. Moreover, as Alexis began volunteering for Pet Orphans she soon knew that she wanted to be involved in various aspects of this remarkable organization. Alexis truly enjoys being able to educate the public about proper animal care. Furthermore, she hopes to gain as much knowledge as possible so that she can assist in a multitude of ways to help reduce the number of homeless animals and decrease euthanasia rates. Alexis' rescues include her Pet Orphans alumnus, Hunter, a husky/lab mix, 4 rescued rabbits, and a cockatiel.

Jessica
Volunteer Coordinator – ext. 106
Jessica@petorphans.org

Jessica is a Valley girl, born and raised here. She's been with Pet Orphans for six years now starting out as a volunteer then moving into the Volunteer Coordinator position. Jessica grew up around animals and it was her first dog that made her passionate about rescue. She currently shares her home with 4 rescue cats, one of them a Pet Orphans alumni, and her dog, Denver, rescued from the North Central Shelter.

Meredith & Lady
Manager, Humane Education Program – ext. 107
Meredith@petorphans.org

Growing up on the East Coast, Meredith always had a desire to be around animals. When she got to college in Colorado, she found she had some extra time and a desire to volunteer. Combining her love for animals and an interest in social services, she volunteered at the humane society taking shelter dogs to visit residents of a local nursing home. A horse lover as well, she interned at a therapeutic riding center where individuals with disabilities experienced the therapeutic benefits of horse back riding. After interning for Green Chimneys, a farm serving as a residential treatment center for children with emotional and learning disabilities, she decided to make a career out of social services.

Meredith moved to the West Coast four years ago and took a job working with women and children at a substance abuse treatment center. However, she always wanted to return to a position combining her love of animals with children. Finally, after a LONG search she found a meaningful position with Pet Orphans in their Humane Education department. Meredith is married to her college sweetheart, and they now live with their black Lab rescue Lady. Lady recently passed a test to become a registered therapy dog, so she is now available to go into schools and help teach children the safe way to approach and interact with a dog.

Jennifer
Coordinator, Humane Education Program – ext. 107
Jennifer@petorphans.org

Jennifer is the newest member of the Humane Education Team and excited to be part of such a wonderful program. She joined Pet Orphans as a volunteer in 1997 and has been an adoption counselor, dog walker and volunteer coordinator for the organization. She was excited when a position opened up in Humane Education that would allow her to combine her love of children, pets and puppets. A self confessed "pit bull junkie", she and husband Erik just welcomed their newest family member, Lily, a pit puppy found digging through trash for food at a gas station off the freeway. She joins their three cats: Eowyn, their Pet Orphans alum, Pip and Wednesday, both rescued off the mean streets of Studio City.

Alice
Kennel Manager – ext. 208
Alice@petorphans.org

Have you heard the term Beast Master? Well that would sum up Alice, not only is she the leader of the pack with her staff and animal residents she also is the 24 hour Watch Dog to protect our orphans. Along with her pack members she cares for all the dogs and cats and has the difficult but rewarding job of selecting all our orphans for intake. Working with our vets and trainers she ensures everyone is healthy, mentally and physically, and loved.

Our kennel and grounds sparkle due to her desire to keep the animals' habitat as clean as possible and you won't hear the humans complaining either. Working at Pet Orphans she has truly found her home, along with her 6 rescues, Tug our resident goofy, tail waggin' Pit Bull X, Rigby a Chihuahua X, and her Terrier duo Penelope and Skipper and Rudy and Fancy on kitty patrol, things are safe and sound here at the orphanage.

After many years managing a family owned restaurant and taking care of human kids in a daycare, her skills have flourished and offer her staff and critters the same leadership and care she has built her career around. On her off time Alice can be found fostering one of our orphans that need that extra special time and playmates around the clock.

Jeff
Assistant Kennel Manager

Jeff is literally the right hand of our Kennel Manager; their team work inspires all of us. Whether it be making pound transfers and selections or deciding what food to feed or which dogs to house together, Jeff is always there offering his assistance. Working to enhance the quality of life for all our residents and making sure they are all plump and happy, Jeff cares for their daily needs and his as well. After all the WORK is done, you can find Jeff in the yard or kennel runs cuddling and kissing our dogs getting his needs filled.

Jeff enjoys coming to work as much as the first day he saw all the critters who needed him. Jeff even schedules his days off apart because he can't go more than one day without caring for his kids. No matter the extra work load, Jeff is always more than happy to introduce new stress reducing programs into the kennel. If it's good for the animals it's good for Jeff. One could only hope that animal caregivers everywhere worked as hard and were as caring as our Jeff.

Renee´
Animal Caretaker

Renee' came to Pet Orphans through working with our vets at AMC for over three years. Coming here weekly to help our vet with health checks and assisting our orphans when brought into the vets office daily, she couldn't help but fall in love with what Pet Orphans is all about. It was easy to snag her up when a position became available here at POSC. Our critters feel confident in her abilities to tend to their needs.

Working mainly with our cats, yet still well versed with our dogs, she is always stepping out of the box and adding to her responsibilities to promote our orphans for adoption. Running off to the vet's office daily to tend to our animals medical needs is where she starts her day, following with the daily needs of the critters along with the rest of the kennel staff. On her spare time Renee' is full of love and comfort and is always smooching with the critters.

Frances
Animal Caretaker

Frances joins the Pet Orphans kennel staff after doing years of rescue on her own. Not only is she an invaluable member of Alice's team, she also fosters the occasional puppy or dog when they need a break from the stress of kennel life. Her last foster dog, Kimmie, is now home to stay. Kimmie joins Frances, her husband and their cat, Trip (formerly Coby), who is also a Pet Orphans alumni.