We are a group of animal-loving professionals who all share the same belief -- that every hard-to-place animal has the right family somewhere out there. Using our knowledge, skills, and ideas, we work together to help senior animals and animals with special needs or behavior challenges find wonderful adopters ready to give them the beautiful lives that they deserve.
I believe that every animal, regardless of age, special needs or special behavior, deserves a home in which they are accepted, loved and cherished. Animals bring so much love and joy into this world and I want to help spread that love and joy by bringing together animals and their humans around the world.
Appu is a financial and business analyst with a background in accounting and information systems. Appu discovered her love for animals after adopting two puppies, an English bulldog and an English bulldog/Pitbull/Boston terrier mix. They have opened her heart to so much love and empathy that she cannot imagine a life without animals in it. She loves the bond that she shares with her dogs and hopes to help other people develop the same bond and connection with animals. She is a firm believer that animals bring joy to every aspect of life and is dedicated to helping end homelessness for animals.
I believe that every hard to place animal has the potential to be someone’s best friend.
Callie is a CPA/auditor at a public accounting firm where she has become a spreadsheet wizard. Her love for animals started when she was growing up surrounded by dogs/goats/horses/cats/birds and now she can’t imagine a life without animals. She loves to travel and has been to over 20 countries and counting. When she’s not traveling, she can be found walking dogs at the Oregon Humane Society or fostering various animals. She helped to organize Best Friends Animal Society’s annual Portland Strut Your Mutt fundraising event and is a small business owner. She currently has a deaf, senior rescue mutt who sleeps all day and an ever changing assortment of foster animals.
I believe every animal deserves a forever home. You never know the meaning of unconditional love until you adopt an animal, especially one with a special need. Just like people, no animal is perfect, but they all deserve a chance to shine.
Kelli is a licensed attorney with experience in corporate law and intellectual property. Kelli is originally from Montana and grew up surrounded by animals. At an early age, she started training and showing both horses and dogs and her love for animals only grew. Today, she is the proud owner of two canine kids, one with special medical needs and the other with special behavioral needs, and she could not imagine life without either. She is a true believer that every animal deserves a forever home.
I believe, just like humans, all animals need a home where they feel loved and appreciated. Just because they are senior or have special needs, that doesn’t mean they won’t bring any less love and magic into your life, the way only an animal can.
Brandon is a Project Manager at an eCommerce company, and has spent his career in the digital industry creating and managing websites, digital marketing campaigns, and social media marketing. He has been surrounded by animals since a young age, and took care of a medical needs animal. Brandon has been volunteering since an early age, and is so happy to be giving back by finding forever homes for all animals.
I believe that all animals can find their special human family.
Tristen is a senior client strategy manager at an ecommerce software company. Having grown up on a farm, Tristen loves working with animals of all sizes and helping those that need a bit more love and attention.
Outside of work and Core Paws, she can be found at music shows, cideries and hanging out with her bunny.
I believe that all animals deserve unconditional love, no matter their age, special need or behavior issue. The right family is out there for every animal, and Core Paws was created to help find them.
Although her career is in Digital Marketing, Kara has a passion for animal rescue. She has been volunteering with animal shelters since 2011. In a chance encounter, Kara met an adoptable kitten, Abbott, who was continually overlooked for his heart issues and special medication needs. In the end, he was adopted by a couple whose son also had the same heart issues. It was in that moment, that Kara knew the right family was out there for every animal, even the hardest to adopt cases. They were just a bit harder to find. She created Core Paws to address this need and to bring awareness of hard-to-place animals in rescues and shelters everywhere. Her beloved rescue cat, Mitzi, is a daily inspiration.
