Meet The PPAR Team
Board of Directors
Susan - President
Susan earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business and has been employed as a Business Advisor for over 15 years.
Susan has always had a love for animals. When she was a young child she was always bringing stray cats and dogs home. Along with rescuing, Susan participated in Dogs Deserve Better Chain Off Event to help raise awareness of the affects of tethering dogs 24/7. She also served as Secretary on Finger Lakes SPCA Board of Directors. Although she has a passion for all animals, her heart belongs to the seniors and special needs.
“I’m looking forward to and am extremely excited for this new venture in my life. Animals have always been my passion and along this journey of rescuing, I have met some amazing people who share in this passion.”a
Val - Treasurer
Val resides in Savona with her significant other Kenny and their 6 dogs. She works at World Kitchen as a Demand Planner. Val's passion for rescue started 7 years ago after she lost her beloved schnauzer named Indigo. Adopting three rescues, she began fostering for STGNY, the organization she adopted one of her dogs from. Later she fostered for Tanner's PAWS.
Being a part of the Pawz and Purrz team is a great honor for me. It is a perfect opportunity for me to help animals and bring awareness to the community on the issues of puppy mills, irresponsible breeding, and animal cruelty as well as the importance of caring for our pets and being a loving and responsible owner. I look forward to meeting so many wonderful people as we pursue our mission and our goals. ADOPT DON'T SHOP.
Tina - Vice President
Tina lives in Painted Post with her son Aiden, 2 dogs, and a few cats.
"I've always loved animals and have had cats since I was a child. My son introduced me to 3 cats and 3 litters of kittens down the street from us here in Painted Post a few years ago. Two of the cats were left behind when people moved and the third was a stray that just showed up. Several needed medical care and some were old enough to start reproducing themselves...and it wouldn't be long before the adults had another litter as well. That became my first project. After adopting one of the kittens and taking another to the vet where the end result was euthanasia, I had to do more. Since then it's been litter after litter whether they found me or I found them. Of course I had help along the way from friends, neighbors, TLC/TNR, and Paradise Garden Animal Haven. This has all become an expensive hobby that I truly love, so I decided to join forces with a handful of others and become Pawz and Purrz Animal Rescue".
Vicki - Secretary
Vicki lives in Painted Post with her husband. She has 2 grown children, 2 dogs and 4 cats. She has worked in education for the past 25 years, first as a Speech Therapist then as a Special Education Teacher. She has been supporting and volunteering with area rescues for many years. She is very excited to be involved with Pawz and Purrz.
Specialized Volunteers
Brenda - Events Coordinator
Brenda lives in East Corning, NY with her husband and 5 fur babies, 3 of which were "foster fails". Brenda has been self employed for 20 years. She started volunteering with Meals on Wheels and now with Pawz and Purrz and she says, "it's a great feeling to help others". I am proud to be a part of Pawz and Purrz and honored that they asked me to be the Events Coordinator.
Jessica - Fundraising/Events Coordinator
Jessica has been fostering kittens for two years. She loves giving back to the community whenever possible. She is a huge family person, is very selfless and is always there to give a helping hand. Not only does she volunteer for us, she is also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
Molly - Fundraising Coordinator
Molly is not only a foster for our cats and kittens, but she is also our Fundraising Coordinator. Molly will be helping us raise money for medical expenses and other needs of the rescued furbabies. Molly has already proven herself to be a fabulous fundraiser. After she learned that one of our rescued cats (Pearl) needed surgery, Molly went to work collecting donations from friends and family. Thanks in large part to her efforts, Pearl was able to have the surgery that will allow her to have an excellent quality of life. Molly will work alongside Brenda, our Events Coordinator, so if you see them out in the community, please say hello!
Michelle - Rescue Coordinator
Michelle wears many hats, from answering our phone, fostering, doing home visits, running out on a moments notice to pick up a dog in need and she also assists with temperament testing.
Michelle, her husband Dale and their kids Emile and Deric all share a passion for rescue and being a foster family was a decision the family made together. Michelle says, “Our goal was to become the family and home a local dog needed as a stepping stone to its forever home. We would be that stop along the way where they would feel love, warmth, kindness and receive healing, both body and spirit. Their second chance. The family who will love them through it all”.
“In a big way PPAR rescued us! They’re our forever home. They have so much love, determination and passion for what they do for the animals in our area. We knew the very first night we were where we belonged.” Michelle sums it up by saying "Adopting just one dog will not change the world, but you certainly are changing the world for that one dog."