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.

Ramona Howard, Sanctuary Staff
Ramona was born in Oakland to hard working parents who taught her the values of curiosity, honesty and hard work. She learned to love animals during summers at her grandfather’s house in Clovis where she rode horses, climbed trees and played in hay stacks. Ramona and her son founded a software company selling products to the Film Industry for the past 20+ years. Today Ramona is helping her oldest daughter restore a Victorian home - building gardens, fences, sanding floors, redoing plumbing and oh so much more! Ramona is also helping her youngest daughter build her business as a vegan chef.  Finding CAPE has been icing on the cake for Ramona. She loves animals and she loves working hard at something good. Ramona says, “What could be better than helping save a life and or improving an animal’s quality of life?”

​Erin Colvin, Sanctuary Staff
Raised in San Diego, Erin moved to Auburn, CA in 1986. Growing up with a menagerie of animals, from the family dogs and cats, to the occasional wild animal she found orphaned or injured, she knew she had a deep connection with animals. Erin knew from an early age that she would work in the veterinary field.
  
In 1995 Erin finished school and became licensed as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She began working at the Animal Spay and Neuter clinic in Auburn, CA during the week. On the weekends she worked at Pet Care Animal Clinic in Roseville, CA and Elkhorn Walerga Vet Clinic in Antelope, CA. In 1999 Erin moved her employment to Loomis Basin Veterinary Hospital in Loomis, CA. Erin has volunteered with United Animal Nation and Humane Society of the United States with disaster relief in Roseville, CA (Flood 1995), and Paradise, CA (Fire 2008).
 
After several years of amazing and fulfilling experiences, Erin made a career shift into massage therapy. She has owned a thriving practice in Auburn, CA since 2006. She still follows her first passion by offering home visit animal massage therapy and Reiki.
 
In 2012 Erin made a lifestyle change to Veganism and started pursuing animal activism. In this pursuit she has had the pleasure to volunteer at several animal sanctuaries. In 2014 Erin found CAPE via the Animal Film Festival in Grass Valley, CA. “I knew I had found what I had been evolving towards. The animals are all so lovely. It is a treat to be able to spend time with them! To help make the day easier for an animal with special needs just fills my heart.” Erin has been working at CAPE since the summer of 2015.