About Us
Faith’s Animal Rescue was started in 2007 by a group of people who had been working together through various shelters and rescues but saw a void that still needed to be filled and who also agreed on the specifics of how they wanted to help pets in need.
These are vet techs, retired professionals and others still working in large scale business today. We bring a varied and extraordinary group of talents together to help those pets in great need get back into loving homes where they will be cherished family members for life. We hold events, have adoption centers in multiple PetSmart locations, and care for a large feral colony living on the edge of a business complex.
We are foster based at this time but due to the faltering economy more and more families are being forced to give up their beloved pets. Our foster homes are filled to overflowing and we find ourselves needing a shelter. We are working hard toward that goal so we can help even more pets.
Meet our Volunteer Staff
President Jennifer Wacker-Nicholson: Jennifer comes to Faith’s with over 10 years of rescue and managing a very successful veterinary practice. She has experience in shelters and a wonderful gift for working with people and pets. Jennifer is a gifted fundraiser and an asset to our rescue.
Founder Barbara Massey: Barbara has worked rescuing animals for several years. She started out by bringing needy cats into her home and then fostering for several rescues and a local shelter. Barbara is a compassionate woman with many years of business experience to aid us in our rescue efforts.
Co-Founder and Treasurer Larry Massey: Larry is a wonderful and kind man who has joined with Barbara in their rescue efforts. Animals respond to him and he is a specialist in caring for the neonatal kittens. Larry brings the technical skills he acquired in life to assist in spreading the word about Faith’s and keeping us current.
Board Secretary Kathryn Rukstelis: Kathryn is a retired chef who has given much of her time to rescue pets here in the valley. Her home and heart is always open for those pets in need and she is an integral part of Faith’s.
Board Member Andrea Gomez: Andrea is an import-export executive with a national major sporting goods manufacturer. Her delightful personality is a fantastic asset during fundraisers and her love of animals is apparent in everything she does with and for Faith’s.
Member Jamie Nicholson: Jamie brings to Faith’s her high demand for excellence in everything she does and we do for the pets. She is a consummate professional and is a driving force behind our efforts. Jamie has experience in rescue, shelter, and business that is a benefit to us all.
Member Cynthia Young: Cynthia brings her experience as a reptile, livestock, and fish specialist to our eastside location. Her ranch in Queen Creek is dedicated to helping pets in need on the east side of the valley.
Webmaster Dr. Kimberly Smith: Kim is a Chemistry Professor but her love for animals is her passion. She is a vegan, animal rights activist, and occasional foster mom. Kim has previous experience managing a mobile spay neuter clinic, she has fostered over 200 companion animals, and she has served on the Governing Board of the Humane Society.