Our Team

I guess I’m the founder of this rescue? Prior to the inception of Alleycats & Aristocats in January 2022 I briefly served on the board for another Cleveland rescue. My vision for A&A was to bring like-minded passionate cat lovers together in Medina County to help homeless community cats. I wasn’t always a crazy cat lady. I’ve always loved and kept many animals as pets throughout my life. But I did not become heavily involved in cat rescue until the beginning of the pandemic. It became my passion project during a time when I really needed something to give me purpose. I fell in love with cat rescue and I fell fast. I started fostering and doing TNR work and it just grew from there. I am addicted to creating happy endings for cats; especially the ones that have been through some crap, the ones that don’t trust you yet but you can see something in their eyes. They are longing for love. I do a little bit of everything within the rescue as Chief Cat Wrangler. But really, I am nothing without the amazing people that serve on this board with me. Each of us plays a very significant role in making this rescue successful. I am thankful every day for all the people that make this rescue a success, for both the people and the cats.

I have been with A&A since the beginning. I met our founder in 2020 when she was fostering for another local rescue group. I adopted one of her fosters and eventually started volunteering for the group as well. When Jen started A&A, I followed her over and she quickly convinced me to join the board and start fostering.

Getting updates from the adoptive families is one of my favorite parts of rescue. It’s so rewarding to see your former fosters in their forever homes, bringing joy to their families – especially the cats that started out “spicy.” These are the kitties that took extra time and work to help them blossom into sweet furry family members.

I have 3 cats of my own: a sassy foster fail, one with a neurological disorder & chronic health issues and a chatty cuddle bug. They are all special in their own way and I’m honored they chose me to be their momma.

I met Jen in the summer of 2023 when I wanted to rescue a cat. My goal was to adopt a hard to adopt cat. In searching Petfinder I had found an adult cat I wanted to meet. Before we went to meet the cat, I asked Jen if he had a cat friend in the rescue as I thought it was better to adopt in pairs so the cat would have a friend. Jen was overjoyed as this cat did have a friend who was also very shy. We scheduled an appointment and went into Cats Off The Square. I knew before even meeting this cat he was coming home with me. The bigger issue was if the other shy black cat would come home too. We couldn’t even get close to this guy. Jen convinced me to give him a try and we took two adult Thai house cats home. These two very shy adult cats have turned into the most loving, quirky, momma boys, when this happened, I knew I could never repay the rescue for saving these momma boys who have changed my life and that is how my involvement began.

I started off cleaning one night a week and loved spending time with all the cats and kittens. When events started happening, I started volunteering more with other events. I was eventually approached to assist with some accounting and records. I bring over 35 years of tax and accounting experience to the Treasurer role. I have experience with small non-profits and corporations of all sizes.

My latest endeavor is fostering and/or foster failing. I have two beautiful shy souls I am working with who are also turning into lovable babies that will enrich any family’s lives. They just need a chance.

My passion has always been for adult animals especially the ones no one seems to want. I know firsthand what some love and TLC can do for an animal and an owner.

I met Jennifer in 2022 when I adopted my first Suphalak, now known as Binx. I have been fostering for a number of rescues since 2014, and always have a pack of dogs and cats in the house due to consistent foster fails. I joined Alleycats & Aristocats in 2023 to help support their incredible rescue efforts and handle any legal issues as they arise. Running a 501(c)(3) isn’t easy, and I’m so impressed by Jennifer’s and the whole team’s amazing work to build such a successful organization. I’m honored to become part of this incredible group.

During my 40+ year career in healthcare, I worked at the bedside as a registered nurse, then I moved into leadership, and the last several years were in the C-Suite of some very large health systems. My choice for nursing and later, leadership, was a “calling” for me because I wanted to help people, I wanted to make a difference! Then, in late 2020, I was blessed with being able to retire. I have thoroughly enjoyed this new life journey but, if you know me, you would not be surprised that in late
2023, I started to become restless. I found myself yearning not for things to do to keep me busy but for doing purposeful things that gave me that sense of “making a difference” and giving back for all the blessings I’ve had in my life!

I have done my share of caring for animals including horses, dogs, wild rabbits and of course cats, both our own as well as many who were strays, feral, or just dumped at our door. With all those experiences, it was always the cats – forgotten, discarded, or so wild they would never know the touch or connection with a human, that pulled on my heartstrings.

My joining Alleycats & Aristocats was “by happenstance” but the journey has been no accident. In fact I
believe for me, it was divine intervention. In February of 2024 while scrolling through Facebook, I saw an Alleycats post seeking volunteers. I immediately applied and joined the team of this amazing shelter. Since that day, I have fully engaged by caring for the cats, interacting with visitors, participating in the events/ fundraisers, and assisting wherever needed. In August, I accepted the position of Adoption Coordinator and I am LOVING the role – I am again “making a difference” but this time it is with our feline friends. Whether it is working with adopters, providing them support and education as they meet their new cat, or enjoying the moment the cat leaves for their purrfect fur-ever home —I know that again I am “making a difference”, one cat at a time!

Brian is Jennifer’s husband, and has been a cat lover his whole life. Being lovers of cats, Brian and Jennifer both knew there was a need for adoption paired with TNR efforts in the Medina county area. Brian’s main contributions are Fostering/caregiving at home, transporting cats & supplies and working on events. He likes being supportive of others and is always ready to lend a hand wherever needed. Brian encourages others to become a Foster home for cats, to volunteer at special events and pick up a shift to help care for our adoptable cats at Cats Off the Square, our brick and mortar cat cafe. Brian believes the experience of volunteering is gratifying and extremely rewarding. Donations are a big help too but people are really the key to running a great rescue organization.

Surprisingly, I grew up as a “dog person.” It was not until college, when my best friend adopted a cat that I realized I was actually a “cat person.” After meeting her cat, I adopted my very first cat from a local rescue, Colby. I slowly turned my entire family into a cat loving family. My parents have adopted two cats, my mother in law and my sister have all adopted cats because of Colby. We now have two cats (Colby & Gouda) and we are even fostering another to join the family soon!

After college, I knew I wanted to be involved with cats in some way. I got in touch with the team at A&A and knew this was the right place for me that allowed me to follow my passion for rescue. Serving as the records officer, allows me to align my organization skills with my love for cats. I oversee the team that organizes medical records, intakes and sending out records after adoptions. I would say my favorite part is being able to work with an amazing team and meeting so many wonderful people.

In the summer of 2023, I began volunteering with Alleycats & Aristocats, serving as the Adoption Profile Manager. I found the rescue on a facebook page while looking for my missing cat who has returned after a 77 day “wilderness walk about.” I grew up with cats my whole life and have been known as the animal person in the family, having owned ctas, dogs, hamsters, rats, and reptiles. The cat distribution system knows me and my family very well and is the reason for my five personal cats, one with special needs.

I find that working in the rescue has given me much needed purpose in my life. At 27 I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that temporarily disabled me. Having to leave my first “big girl” job after only 5 years was devastating and I struggled to ground myself. Alleycats & Aristocats has helped revive my passion for life and for feline care. All in all I save cats because cats saved me.