cape staff

JP Novic, Executive Director
For the past 35 years, JP has been working in the field of animal protection.  Her first job as the Humane Educator for the Palo Alto Humane Society deepened her commitment as an advocate for animals of all species.  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 traveled to Washington DC where she was invited to testify in front of the Congressional Armed Services Committee to report on the extreme animal abuse occurring at LAIR. 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 animal in San Diego County.  In 1992, JP, along with a group of dedicated veterinarians, medical doctors and experienced animal protection volunteers, founded CAPE.  JP serves as the Executive Director of CAPE and is very proud to report that over the past 24 years, CAPE has saved thousands of animals through their rescue, outreach and sanctuary programs.

​Shelley Frost, Creative Director and Director of the Animal Film Festival
Since the day she graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Art History in 1984, Shelley Frost has worked in animal advocacy.  Her first job: the office administrator for the Palo Alto Humane Society. From there she went to the Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo working in the PR/education department. In 1990, she became the Manager of Pets In Need in Redwood City. In 1992, Shelley, JP Novic and a group of animal professionals, founded the Center for Animal Protection & Education (CAPE). As CAPE’s Creative Director and Director of the Animal Film Festival, Shelley says, “Knowing the many ways in which animals are used and abused by humans in every walk of life can leave anyone feeling defeated. But the results I’ve seen from CAPE programs and in particular the Animal Film Festival, give me a great sense of hope that through education people can acknowledge their compassion and take steps to no longer participate in animal suffering.”

Lori Perry, Administrator
Lori moved to Grass Valley with her family in 2000. After living most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area, living in Sierra Nevada Foothills was a breath of fresh air. She launched her own pet sitting business, Pet Peeves, and eventually started volunteering at different local animal rescue organizations. From there Lori found her calling - animal rescue. In 2011 she created Nevada County PAWS, a program to assist people in the community with resources for rehoming their companion animals. In 2013, after being involved with CAPE during the elephant ride protests at the Nevada County Fair, Lori started working for CAPE as a part time admin. It was not long before she added animal care to her list of responsibilities. “Being a part of CAPE is a life changing experience. Gratitude and compassion are an everyday occurrence at CAPE - with people and animals alike.”

Cathy Townsend, Foster Care & Adoption Manager
Cathy was introduced to CAPE back in 2001 when she adopted a dog named Elsie. It was love at first sight for these two! She started fostering for CAPE over 12 years ago and then took the position of Foster Care/ Adoption Manager in 2009. Cathy is also very involved with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter where she has been a volunteer/foster mom for the past 14 years.
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"I have a special place in my heart for puppies, ones that for whatever reason can't go up for adoption right away. These precious babies need to be loved and cared for, and I have the privilege of being able to do that in my home. It is so rewarding to watch them grow, become more confidant, or overcome an illness. Seeing them placed into loving homes is what keeps me going and coming back for more!"
 
"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."
 
Jim Willis wrote a poem on fostering called Pieces Of My Heart . One of Cathy's favorite paragraphs says " One day our time together will come to an end and you will go off to your new home, healthy, happy and healed. As a parting gift, I will give you a piece of my heart to remember me by. I may shed a tear.....not for my loss, but for your gain."​

Nancy Eaton, Outreach Coordinator
Back in the early 90’s, Nancy was instrumental in producing Speaking of Animals, an educational cable TV show created in the studio at Community Television.  In eight years, more than 100 episodes of Speaking of Animals were produced and the show went on to win multiple awards for best educational programming.  Nancy also co-wrote the music for CAPE’s television show “Speaking of Animals,” the theme song “Woof Woof” for CAPE’s documentary "Viva Los Perros!" and the theme song for CAPE's Youtube television show "Animal Eyes."  She also volunteered for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, where she wrote the monthly “Dear Tabby” newsletter column for their regular publication. For 12 years, Nancy has been a rescue and foster volunteer with the Bay Area Poodle Rescue and for CAPE. She also worked as the Manager of the Santa Cruz SPCA. For seven years.  Nancy is currently the Outreach Coordinator for CAPE and continues to foster dogs who have special needs.  She fills every spare moment with reading as well as writing music, poetry and short stories.  She enjoys serenading her fur-BFFs while playing her guitar, piano or flute.

Becky Rosen, Sanctuary Staff
Becky's background and degree (from the University of Wisconsin) are in business.  After working on the financial end of things, she switched and went entrepreneurial in early 1999 with the creation of an internet store, DapperLads, that took up quite a bit of time for over 18 years.  Becky's husband's software expertise kept them ranked at the top of the first page on web searches for a long number of years.  Her expertise lay in building their market niche.  After winding down DapperLads, Becky was able to focus extra time on personal pleasures - like riding her horse, Mojave - and on creative interests which I combined with my love of animals.  She is certified in Equine Reiki 3, and ThetaHealing for animals. She has studied Masterson Method equine massage, equine acu-oils and is also a trained flower essence practitioner. 
Becky and her husband moved to Penn Valley in mid 2015 from the Santa Cruz mountains.  While in Santa Cruz, she volunteered at animal shelters - walking dogs, or at therapeutic riding centers - as a horse walker.  She is now (more than) thrilled to be a part of the CAPE staff as a sanctuary worker where she gets to spend some time each week with the assorted cast of CAPE characters that make up our much loved sanctuary.