~About ReLove's Board of Directors~
ReLove Animals, Inc. is an all volunteer 501(c) 3 tax exempt charity recognized by the IRS.
Julianne Zimmer - Founder /President, Program Director
The vision for ReLove Animals Inc. came from a life changing experience for founder Julianne Brown ~ she and her family adopted Jericho, a pit bull that had been set on fire. The experience of adopting, getting to know and love him was unexpectedly eye opening. Jericho not only had bias against him in the general public, but he was discarded and abused like trash and he was everything but. It became immediately clear that ideas and perceptions about pit bulls and the treatment of all animals in today's society are all wrong. The major goal that arose was one of educating the public...starting with the children. ReLove Animals Inc. was born out of this goal, with the motto 'Education for Responsibility'. The main pillars of this movement, "Rescue, Retrain and Rehome" are modeled after Juli's recycling company ~ ReCore Supply Company (est. 2007) with the motto "Recycle, ReBuild and ReUse". The same concept of recycling can be applied and used to amend the animal overpopulation and abuse problem. Juli, a very successful business owner, was born and raised in Maryland and shares her home with her 2 wonderful, animal loving kids and several rescue pets. Aside from Jericho she has a mixed breed Terrier that was saved from being euthanized as a puppy, a puppymill Pomeranian, a kitty pulled from death row, a kitten found nearly dead on the streets and one adopted from a TNR project in West Baltimore.
Julianne also serves in a number of roles within the Baltimore area.
- Board Member of Maryland Votes for Animals
- Member of Mayors Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission
- Executive appointed commission member from Baltimore County Animal Shelter
- Shelter liaison for Baltimore County Animal Shelter
Holly Bowers, PhD- Vice President and Founding Board Member
Holly joined forces with Juli and ReLove at its inception, believing that 'education for responsibility' is key for informing people about animal welfare issues, without the need for confrontation and hostility. By providing tools and resources, people become informed and empowered to make responsible decisions and perpetuate change. Since relocating to California in 2012, Holly has shifted to behind-the-scenes work, delving into research and writing for grant proposals and educational items distributed by ReLove. While residing in Maryland she was active in TNR (trap-neuter-return) and fostering cats, but these days can be found periodically running transports for Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. Holly and her partner Bryan live with their five cats (who all flew to CA!), four of which were former Baltimore City Street cats.
Lori Raxenberg - Board Member
Teacher of the Year Award from the National Humane Society, Lori is an amazing Baltimore city school teacher who is behind the Teachers for Tails program, she is also a pilot teacher and developer for the ReLove Animals Inc. Education for Responsibility project. We are SO proud of Lori as a community, and encourage other teachers to work to teach their kids compassion for animals like Lori has.
Cyndi Kuhn - Board Member
Cyndi starting working with us this year supporting our Education for Responsibility Program! She generously sponsored the shirts given to all the teachers. Cyndi is so inspired by the program, she wanted to get involved on a grand level. After some conversations, we realized she was an amazing fit for our team. Cyndi is passionate about humane education and is determined to help people see how it IS the key to changing the landscape for people and animals. Cyndi is a local State Farm agent who has been supporting her rescue community for years in any way she can. Cyndi received the Valentino Award recently, given to those involved with the program who go above and beyond for the animals.
Joy Freedman - Board Member
Joy is founder of 4 Paws Pet Services- Since 1996. Joy is Dog Trainer/ Behaviorist, has been featured on CNN, Baltimore Magazine, Baltimore Style magazine, several local TV and Radio programs, and was asked to work briefly with Cesar Milan in 2009. Joy has been a contributor for Baltimore Dog Magazine, Shore Dog Magazine and currently is a featured writer in JMORE Living magazine. She has dedicated her life to working with rescue, shelter, and misunderstood dogs. Joy is involved with:Baltimore County Animal Service Commission, Baltimore City Animal Hearing Panel, Mutts MatterRescue (former board member), Evaluates AKC CGC, Certified Red Cross Canine first aid /CPR instructor, Adjunct Instructor Anne Arundel Community College (teaching elements of canine behavior) We are so excited to have Joy on our team and in our corner!!
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