About Us

Our Mission

CAPE works to save the lives of animals who are older or who have special needs, and to educate and empower people to alleviate animal suffering in their daily lives.

A woman with long gray hair smiling and hugging a brown goat near a green outdoor area with trees.

In addition to our rescue work, CAPE is committed to educating the public about the interconnected issues facing animals and humans in our world today. Our educational programs emphasize that all animals deserve the right to a long, happy life free from suffering.

A woman with brown hair in a bun petting a donkey's nose in a grassy outdoor setting.
A young girl in overalls holding hands with an older man, while a woman holds a chicken, outdoors on a sunny day.

Through our education events, sanctuary tours, and the award-winning Animal Film Festival, CAPE has welcomed thousands of visitors from all over the world to learn about and fall in love with all animals. We continue to advocate for animals alongside other social justice movements, building a world in which all beings are free from suffering.

Our Story

CAPE’s story began in 1992, following the rescue of a big, slobbery dog named Huckleberry. This unruly, chaotic, spirited hound became the spark that inspired CAPE’s founders to create an organization rooted in compassion and committed to saving the lives of animals with special needs.

Since then, CAPE has rescued thousands of animals through its hands-on rescue efforts and award-winning education programs.

In 2025, CAPE transitioned to new leadership. You can read the announcement here.

Here are some notable accomplishments:

Close-up of a black and white cow peeking over a fence at sunset, with other cows in the background and the moon in the sky.

Speaking of Animals Radio and Television Show – CAPE hosted a weekly radio show, which expanded to a television show on the local Santa Cruz networks. Speaking of Animals was a platform dedicated to animal issues, providing insightful, engaging discussions about animal welfare and health.

Old Friends – CAPE filmed and produced an award-winning documentary showcasing the stories of rescued senior animals as they live out their golden years with their human companions.

Viva Los Perros – CAPE filmed and produced a second documentary film about the inspiring rescue stories of dogs in Mexico City by CAPE’s rescue partner, Compassion Without Borders.

Sanctuary – Established the CAPE Animal Sanctuary in Grass Valley, California, offering a permanent, loving home to animals with special needs.

Animal Film Festival – 2013-2018 CAPE created the Animal Film Festival, bringing together filmmakers and animal lovers to celebrate inspiring and educational films about animal issues.

Muttopia – CAPE partnered with Compassion Without Borders to create Muttopia, a shelter dedicated to rescuing and caring for dogs in Santa Rosa, CA.

Wildfire Animal Assistance Fund (WAAF) — Due to higher frequency of fires throughout the west coast, CAPE established the WAAF program to help save the lives of animals injured or displaced by wildfires or other natural disasters.

Nevada County Spay/Neuter Coalition (NCSN) — CAPE partnered with local animal rescue groups in Nevada County to form the NCSN, which helps fund low-cost spay-neuter services to Nevada County residents. NCSN has had major success and has impacted countless animals and families in the community through low-cost spay-neuter surgeries.

Today – CAPE continues to provide daily care and medical support to a diverse group of rescued animals, including chickens, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, and burros, ensuring they live healthy, happy lives.

A cow and a donkey are separated by a wire fence in a grassy field, with trees in the background.

Meet the Team

  • Young woman holding a small black and white dog close to her face indoors.

    Zoe Novic

    Executive Director

    Zoe brings a wealth of leadership experience and passion for animal advocacy.

    After getting her BA in Anthropology from Brandeis University and serving 2 years in the Peace Corps in Indonesia, Zoe worked as the Bay Area Grassroots Director for The Humane League, a farm animal advocacy organization.

    She obtained her Master’s in Public Health from Yale, and most recently she worked with Greener by Default as the Healthcare Manager. Zoe’s background in public health, animal advocacy, and her commitment to CAPE’s mission will strengthen CAPE’s work and vision for the future.

  • An elderly woman with long gray hair, wearing a blue t-shirt, jeans, and jewelry, stands outdoors among trees. She is smiling and gently touching a donkey's head, which has large ears and a gray coat.

    JP Novic

    CO-FOUNDER

    In 1992, JP founded CAPE alongside a dedicated group of veterinarians, medical professionals, and animal protection volunteers. She served as Executive Director for 32 years.

    During her leadership, JP rescued thousands of animals from overcrowded shelters, abuse, and neglect. She created award-winning humane education programs, including the Speaking of Animals radio and TV shows, and the Animal Film Festival. JP’s vision for a kinder world is evident not only through CAPE’s work but also in the compassionate culture she fostered within the organization and community.

    JP continues to care for animals at the sanctuary and serves on CAPE’s Board of Directors.

  • Person hugging a brown calf outdoors with green grass in the background.

    Lori Perry

    CREATIVE DIRECTOR

    Lori joined CAPE in 2013 after participating in CAPE’s elephant ride protests at the Nevada County Fair. Starting as a part-time admin, she quickly took on animal care responsibilities, became an Assisted Living foster home for multiple CAPE dogs, and helped start manage CAPE’s WAAF program! Lori is grateful for the joy her job brings, saying, “Being part of CAPE is life-changing, where gratitude and compassion are felt every day, for both people and animals.”

  • Young woman smiling with a large llama or alpaca close to her face, outdoors at dusk.

    Renee Alger

    LEAD ANIMAL CARE

    The only thing Renee has ever wanted to do was help our fellow humans and animals, though they didn’t know exactly how. They began by working at assisted living facilities, pet shops, and dog kennels. After a life-changing shift during COVID, they took a leap and moved from Sacramento to Grass Valley.

    When Renee found CAPE’s job listing, it felt like a gift—an opportunity to be closer to their dream of caring for animals. Things fell into place, and now, as the on-site Lead Animal Caregiver at CAPE, Renee has built strong bonds with the animals and staff, proving that dreams really do come true.

  • A woman standing on a lush green field, smiling, with a donkey beside her. The woman is dressed in black clothes, wearing boots, a cap, and glasses. The background includes trees and a partly cloudy blue sky.

    Julie Wang

    ANIMAL CARE

    Julie is a Nevada County native, though she spent over 20 years in Southern California, where she gained two ex-husbands and two perfect children. Now an advocate for mental health and compassion for animals and children, she has a sanctuary in Penn Valley with ten goats, three cats, one dog, and an elderly chicken named Penny, with much love and thanks to her partner in crime, Nathan. In 2023, Julie decided to volunteer for CAPE. Instead, she was offered a job! Julie says that working with others who hold animals in high esteem has been amazing! She is “way down deep in her DNA grateful.”

  • A young person with wavy black hair and a serious expression posing outdoors with a tan and white dog under a bright blue sky with green trees in the background.

    Ryan Snoe

    ANIMAL CARE

    Ryan is a compassionate and dependable professional with a strong background in animal care, emergency medical services, and team leadership. Caring for a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and exotic animals at New Beginnings Merced County, and serving as an EMT with NORCAL Ambulance, Ryan brings a thoughtful, attentive, and calm presence to their care for the CAPE residents.

    As a U.S. Army Reserve Patient Administration Specialist, Ryan also developed exceptional organizational and leadership skills. With years of hands-on experience in both physically demanding and emotionally sensitive environments, Ryan is committed to supporting the well-being of others, both human and animal, with integrity and care. They are grateful to be a part of the important work at CAPE!

  • Cathy Townsend

    FOSTER CARE & ADOPTION MANAGER

    Cathy connected with CAPE in 2001 when she adopted her CAPE dog, Elsie. It was Elsie’s care that inspired Cathy to begin fostering for CAPE and in due time she became the Foster Care and Adoption Manager! Cathy also volunteers and fosters for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, where she’s been involved for 14 years.

    Grateful for the experiences, Cathy says, "I am often thanked for what I do, but it's me who is thankful! I have learned so much from every single soul that has come through my door. The compassion and dedication from everyone at CAPE has inspired me and I am so proud and honored to be a part of this wonderful organization."

  • Nancy Eaton

    OUTREACH COORDINATOR

    In the early 90s, Nancy helped produce CAPE’s Speaking of Animals show, an educational cable TV show that aired over 100 episodes and won multiple awards. She also co-wrote music for CAPE's shows, including the theme songs for Viva Los Perros! and Animal Eyes.

    Nancy volunteered at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, writing the “Dear Tabby” newsletter column, and spent 12 years rescuing and fostering with the Bay Area Poodle Rescue and CAPE. She also managed the Santa Cruz SPCA for seven years. Now, as CAPE’s Outreach Coordinator, Nancy continues to foster special-needs dogs. In her free time, she writes music, poetry, and short stories, and enjoys serenading her fur-BFFs on guitar, piano, or flute.

  • Small black and white dog wearing a red, black, and white plaid jacket running on a forest path.

    Mack

    CAPE OFFICE MANAGER

    Mack spends his time as Office Manager sleeping, cuddling, and taste-testing CAPE treats. He was recently quoted in a New York Times interview stating that his work philosophy is “walk hard, nap hard.”

    He is a very helpful Office Manager and he hopes to be promoted soon.

Board of Directors

  • Smiling elderly woman with short gray hair wearing sunglasses and a black Patagonia jacket outdoors.

    Becky Smith

    Becky has been an animal advocate for decades.  While in graduate school, she created an arrangement with a local veterinarian to care for dogs and cats that had been dumped in her rural neighborhood.  She created an informal abandoned dog placement project and encouraged fellow students to adopt many of the animals who needed homes.  

    At the close of her high technology career in 2010, Becky decided to focus on the care and well-being of  wildlife and domestic animals.  This involved volunteer work with the Peninsula Humane Society’s Wildlife Care Center, the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, and an operations/admin. role with HSUS’s Rural Area Veterinary Services team.

    Becky was invited to join the Board in 2000 to provide business and financial guidance, and since then she has become a vital and integral part of the team.

  • Bonnie Yoffe-Sharp, DVM

    Dr. Yoffe-Sharp is a veterinarian who is also a founding member of CAPE. She was on the organizing committee to establish a specialty in shelter medicine and earned her specialty as a Diplomat of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Shelter Medicine in 2016. Dr. Yoffe-Sharp has spent most of her career practicing shelter medicine both as Medical Chief of Staff at the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA for 14 years and then as City Veterinarian for the City of Palo Alto's municipal animal shelter for 20 years.

    Dr. Yoffe-Sharp has also done relief work in both emergency and private veterinary hospitals. Dr. Yoffe-Sharp has been a speaker at veterinary conferences on the topics of the link between interpersonal violence and animal abuse as well as on the veterinarian's role in recognizing and reporting animal abuse. She has also trained veterinarians and veterinary students on early age spay and neuter techniques.

    Dr. Yoffe-Sharp has been published in the JAVMA (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association) as well as authored a chapter in the Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians textbook.

  • An elderly man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a blue shirt and khaki pants, sitting on a dark-colored sofa, smiling and playing with a large brown and black dog. The dog is lying on its back, smiling, with its head on the man's lap and its paws up. The background shows a room with guitars and artwork.

    Josh Novic, MA, MD

    Josh Novic, M.A., M.D., is a founding member of CAPE.  He has been committed to animal rights since his college days. While a neurology resident, he testified in the California senate in support of a bill to exempt interested high school students from participating in animal dissections. As a member of the Stanford Medical Ethics Committee, he published a letter in the New England Journal of Medicine criticizing the committee's official report that attempted to justify the use of animals in medical experimentation. 

    ​He and JP Novic have a longstanding mutual interest in animal rights, and in fact their wedding vows specifically acknowledged this! Their greatest joy is that their daughter, Zoe, is committed to carrying on with this important work.

  • A woman with long blonde hair standing outdoors next to a gray donkey in a grassy area with trees in the background. The woman is smiling and wearing a black t-shirt.

    JP Novic

    JP's previous career as an occupational therapist at Stanford Hospital ultimately led her to follow her true passion, which is animal rescue and advocacy.  In 1982, she made the decision to change her career path and to devote her life to helping animals. She took a position at The Palo Alto Humane Society as the humane educator and to prepare as a presenter in class rooms and lecture halls. She was inspired to delve deeply into animal welfare and animal rights issues. The more she learned about the abuse of animals in the food, bio medical, household product and entertainment industries, the more motivated she became to speak out on behalf of animals regarding these issues.
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    In 1987, JP went to work for the Peninsula Humane Society as the Volunteer Coordinator and in 1989 she worked for The Humane Farming Association developing educational and outreach materials.  From 1985 thru 1990, JP served as the public member of the Letterman Army Institute of Research (LAIR) providing a voice for the animals who were being subjected to extremely inhumane, painful and redundant experiments. In 1991, JP was invited to go to Washington DC where she testified in front of the Congressional Armed Services Committee to report on the extreme animal abuse occurring at LAIR.
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    ​In 1991, JP and a small group of dedicated volunteers, founded the Spay Neuter Action Project (SNAP), a non-profit organization based in San Diego, California. SNAP is still going strong today and has provided affordable spay and neuter to thousands of animals in San Diego County.

     In 1992, JP, along with a group of dedicated veterinarians, medical doctors and experienced animal protection volunteers, founded CAPE. JP served as the Executive Director of CAPE from 1992-2025. Under her leadership CAPE saved thousands of animals through rescue, outreach and sanctuary programs.

  • Hillary Yoffe-Sharp

    Hillary is a co-founder of CAPE and has been an animal advocate her entire life. She has saved countless animals in her work throughout Northern California, and she has served as a CAPE board member for 32 years.