Animal Aid Staff
Joe Martinez
Animal Care Manager
(he/him)
Furry Sidekick: Limmy the cat (Animal Aid alum)!
In addition to animals, he is passionate about: Cinema, reading, science fiction, and nature.
When not at Animal Aid, he’s likely to be found: Hiking, playing video games, or eating at a vegan restaurant.
His favorite thing about Animal Aid: That the cats and dogs all find amazing homes and are well take care of without being in cages while they wait for a caring person to find them.
animalcare@animalaidpdx.org
Julie Rodriguez
Fundraising & Volunteer Manager
(she/her)
Furry Sidekick: Goldie girl
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Music, the great outdoors, social justice, and vegan food!
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Listening to music at some hip venue, cooking delicious vegan food in her kitchen, on the trail in the woods or on her bicycle around town, or hanging out with her teen, Jax!
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: When an animal comes into the shelter that is shy or has experienced some trauma and is transformed not only by the care they receive, but the affection and love showered on them by the dedicated volunteers and staff.
volunteer@animalaidpdx.org
Allyssa Elledge
Operations Manager
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Just fosters right now!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Advocacy for queer youth and our unhoused neighbors! There is no animal welfare without human welfare.
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Painting, reading in the park, binging horror movies, and taking the fattest nap.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: All of the community care efforts that focus on organization partnerships and building connections through shared values. The quality of care for the animals and their people is top priority.
foster.dog@animalaidpdx.org
Board of Directors
Julie Kujawa
Co-President
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Former stray, Cocoa and Animal Aid alumni, Sesame!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Making a positive impact in the lives of others, reading, gardening, cooking, and travel.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Gardening at her plot in the community garden. She also volunteers at the Produce for People plot: They grow and harvest organic produce that is then donated to the Neighborhood House food pantry, feeding over 1,400 people a month.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The organization’s dedication to finding the right match for each animal and our lifelong commitment.
Cheryl Bolotin
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Athena the dog and Kiwi the cat (Animal Aid alums!) and feline brother from another mother, Phantom.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Gardening, spending time with family and friends, kayaking, and snowboarding.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: In her garden.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: Everyone! From staff to volunteers to the board, their passion for the animals in unprecedented!
Jasmine Boris
Secretary
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Poppy the sassy cat and Clover the adventure dog.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: All things outdoors!
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At the pottery studio, in the garden, or on a trail.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: Seeing animals come out of their shell.
Jane Lee
Treasurer
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Nala and Charlie, my cat babies who have traveled to many cities with me (begrudgingly) for 11 years.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Family & community, knitting, walking dogs at the shelter, boxing, listening to audiobooks, and living more joyfully.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At home with my cats, on a trail, or at a cafe.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: Inclusivity, everyone prioritizing their shared goal of helping animals above anything else, the house for the cats instead of kennels, and rigorous vetting of potential adopters.
Tina Arth
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekick: Sheldon the dog, Animal Aid foster failure!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: The theater—not acting or directing, but sometimes producing with Theatre in the ‘hood. And then there’s reviewing! Her current beat is six community theaters and three professional theaters. Check out her writing at Westside Theatre Reviews.
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At home with her pups, watching a play, or hanging out with theater folk.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The lifetime commitment to all of the animals in our care.
Janet Black
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Dave the cat (an Animal Aid alum!), and Poppy and Pippa the kittens.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Scotland and soccer.
When she’s not at work or Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: At the beautiful Oregon coast or scheming how to get there.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The sense of community that can be found when you share a common purpose, and the life long commitment Animal Aid makes to each animal that comes through our doors.
Carrie Wilson
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Tim, Tom, & Ted (the 3 tabby T’s), dogs Sean Spenstar and Raj Carlos, and a chicken family including Pam, Carmella Soprano, Parsnip, and Francine Fancypants.
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Yoga, fashion, and family
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: taking a yoga class, eating ice cream in the tub, or snuggling with pets
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The people. Of course the animals but the people are what makes it so special.
Melissa Merczel
Board Member
(she/her)
Furry sidekicks: Purrfect cat family Nova, Mia, Cardboard, Phoebe, and Freddy!
In addition to animals, she is passionate about: Feminism, cooking with local produce, reading, road trips, and our National Park System.
When not at Animal Aid, she’s likely to be found: Trying a new restaurant, wine tasting, or drinking coffee while shopping for old books somewhere in Upstate New York.
Her favorite thing about Animal Aid: The community it brings together and the dedication to every animal in its care, especially elderly cats and those with special needs!