Key Staff
Our hardworking staff operates the 11,250 square-foot animal shelter and maintains a 35.8 acre wildlife sanctuary.
Mary Jo Kovic, Shelter Manager
Ashley Shanklin, Veterinary Technician & Photographer
Erin Gillis, Program Manager Bradley Pondish, VMD, Veterinarian Additionally, there are six Adoption Counselors/Animal Care Technicians who clean the shelter, care for and medicate the animals, schedule intake, counsel the public, do adoptions, follow-up on the adoptions, and perform various other duties to make the shelter an inviting place for people to visit and to adopt. Key Staff members and Adoption Counselors/Animal Care Techs work hard to provide a nurturing environment for animals who come into the shelter unwanted, abused, or neglected.
Mary Jo Kovic, Shelter Manager
Ashley Shanklin, Veterinary Technician & Photographer
Erin Gillis, Program Manager Bradley Pondish, VMD, Veterinarian Additionally, there are six Adoption Counselors/Animal Care Technicians who clean the shelter, care for and medicate the animals, schedule intake, counsel the public, do adoptions, follow-up on the adoptions, and perform various other duties to make the shelter an inviting place for people to visit and to adopt. Key Staff members and Adoption Counselors/Animal Care Techs work hard to provide a nurturing environment for animals who come into the shelter unwanted, abused, or neglected.
Officers & Directors
OFFICERS
Mary Jo Kovic, President/ Treasurer Erin Gillis, Vice President Elizabeth Brooks, Secretary BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary Jo Kovic: Founder of Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc. in 1975 and responsible for the establishment of the Defenders of Animal Rights shelter. Carries out overall activities of organization. Writes and edits newsletters and humane education materials.
Performs Human Resources duties. Maintains policies. Responsible for raising funds to operate the shelter and feed andcare for the animals. Balances the budget. Promotes pet adoption and other programs. Represents organization to the public and media. Full-time employee of the shelter.
Elizabeth Brooks: Secretary. Advisor. Performs administrative duties.
Donna Yawman: Advisor.
Mary Jo Kovic, President/ Treasurer Erin Gillis, Vice President Elizabeth Brooks, Secretary BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mary Jo Kovic: Founder of Defenders of Animal Rights, Inc. in 1975 and responsible for the establishment of the Defenders of Animal Rights shelter. Carries out overall activities of organization. Writes and edits newsletters and humane education materials.
Performs Human Resources duties. Maintains policies. Responsible for raising funds to operate the shelter and feed andcare for the animals. Balances the budget. Promotes pet adoption and other programs. Represents organization to the public and media. Full-time employee of the shelter.
Elizabeth Brooks: Secretary. Advisor. Performs administrative duties.
Donna Yawman: Advisor.