The Board of Directors and shelter staff of the Santa Cruz SPCA are an extraordinary team of well-qualified leaders who are commited to excellent animal care and welfare. 

Abbi joined the Santa Cruz SPCA in 2017, fulfilling a lifelong dream to work in animal sheltering, thereby directly addressing some of the most urgent issues affecting companion animals.

After ten years working in the business sector, and having volunteered for numerous animal shelters since 2001, Abbi transitioned her career to nonprofit work and animal welfare. She joined the board of directors of Save Our Shores, the Santa Cruz-based environmental nonprofit, and also attended animal shelter management workshops and seminars to gain experience in nonprofit operations and development.

Abbi worked at the University of California, Santa Cruz in a program that provides scientific research experience to underserved youth in a university setting. This strategic role focused on program development, donor relations, and operations. Her previous work years were spent in the cord blood banking industry focusing on sales, marketing, and operations.

Abbi has a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of York, England. She lives with her two rescued Rottweiler mixes: seven-year-old Roscoe (who is full of beans), and an old and wise Maya, who is approximately eleven.

Mandi has been a part of the SCSPCA team since 2009. With 17 years of experience working in the animal care industry, she brings an extensive knowledge base related to animal care, medicine, behavior, and training. Along with shelter management, Mandi coordinates many of the organization’s marketing campaigns, social media presence, community engagement, and programming efforts. During her time with the SCSPCA, she has also taken an active role in animal welfare legislation, attending the Humane Society of the United States’ Lobby Day in 2012, and testifying at a Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting to help pass SB 1221, a bill banning the use of hounds for bear and bobcat hunting.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, Mandi has lived a life that revolves around animals. She took pride in caring for her childhood dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, and rabbits, and currently enjoys riding her horse Biggs and walking her dog Sage. Mandi has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in PR from California State University at Northridge.

Sydney joined the SCSPCA Humane Education team in April 2018. Her important work involves assisting the humane educator with classroom presentations, directing summer and winter camps, and coordinating various youth volunteer programs.

Sydney graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. As a lifelong lover of animals with a passion for education, she greatly enjoys the chance to teach people of all ages about animals and their needs. In her free time, you can find her vaulting on horses, hanging out at the beach, watching documentaries, or cuddling with her own cat, Wally.

Savannah came on board with SCSPCA in May of 2018. Her position as the Administrative Assistant provides office support to multiple facets of the organization. From clerical work to coordinating events and corresponding with our incredible volunteers, Savannah stays busy!

Savannah graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies. Her lifelong love affair with animals has guided her to the incredible world of animal rescue after spending a number of years in the service industry. Her fondest memories are of volunteering at her hometown animal shelter, maintaining her own dog-walking business while living New Zealand, and caring for the plethora of pets she’s had throughout her life.

Currently, she is wrapped around her mixed-breed pup Ryker’s paw and they love to go on adventures to the beach, dog parks, and along various walking trails!

Liz joined the SCSPCA Adoption and Client Services staff in 2018 and is a life long animal lover. She obtained a degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, but her true passion lies in animal welfare. She has a special place in her heart for senior pets and shy animals who take a little more time and love to open up and thrive. Working with the SCSPCA allows her to blend her customer service and animal care skills to help connect our visitors with their future furry family members. In her free time Liz loves to hike and garden, often with her hairless rat tucked in her pocket.

Liz came on board as Adoption and Client Service staff in 2018. While she has a real passion for matching people with shelter pets, Liz also has a background in graphic design, marketing, and photography and enjoys utilizing these skills to help market the animals of the SCSPCA.

Additionally, Liz volunteers at other shelters in the Monterey Bay and interns for HeartsSpeak; a nonprofit organization that provides animal shelters and rescues the training and resources needed to promote and market their adoptable animals. Liz also holds a certificate from the Karen Pryor Dog Training Academy for completing the Shelter Training and Enrichment course. With a passion for animal behavior and Bully-breed dogs, Liz loves making a difference in the lives of homeless animals!

 Shawn officially joined the SCSPCA team in 2012, but she was a valued volunteer even before that. On any given day, you’ll find her at our Capitola Mall Adoption Center and Gift Shop where she serves as supervisor of adoptions, customer service, sales, inventory, and everything else pertaining to that location. Shawn recently graduated from Animal Behavior College for obedience training and is now a certified dog trainer. She assists in our monthly “Ask the Dog Trainer” class and looks forward to developing a more comprehensive SCSPCA training program for the public. When she’s not at work or training dogs, Shawn enjoys hiking and going to the beach with her two border collies.

 Ana has been an important part of the SCSPCA’s animal care team since 2012. She works incredibly hard to ensure the health and well-being of each animal that comes through our doors, and she carefully maintains a high level of care throughout their stay. Ana also assists with volunteer orientation and training as well as the management of in-kind donations. When she’s not working hard for the animals, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and watching movies.

Joe joined the SCSPCA Animal Care team in 2017 after serving for many years as a dedicated volunteer. In addition to animal care duties, he maintains our aging facility and manages Heather’s Pet Food Pantry, one of the SCSPCA’s vital community programs. Joe is currently fulfilling a life-long desire to help animals and feels very lucky to be part of such an amazing organization.

Joe holds a degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is extremely committed to providing the highest quality of care for all animals. When he’s not being paid to cuddle puppies Joe enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and board games.

 Patricia is the longest-standing staff member at the SCSPCA, having joined the organization in 2005. Thanks to her hard work, our little shelter is cleaned top to bottom every single morning and evening, using best-practice sanitizing protocols and a whole lot of elbow grease. She interacts with every animal with kindness and care as she sanitizes the areas around them in order to prevent disease and create a comfortable and fresh home-like environment. While she’s not keeping things in order at the shelter, Patricia is running her own private cleaning service, entertaining friends and family, and traveling.