About Us
Meet the Hearts Behind PAWS-n-PURRsist, Serving with Compassion while Leading with Integrity!
At PAWS-n-PURRSIST, compassion fuels our mission — and strong leadership helps carry it forward. Our board members bring together experience in animal care, recovery support, nonprofit service, and community outreach, all united by one shared belief: people and pets belong together, especially in times of crisis.
Each member of our board plays a vital role in shaping our programs, building meaningful partnerships, and ensuring every decision we make reflects integrity, empathy, and service to the community we serve.
We are deeply grateful for the dedication, wisdom, and heart they bring to this mission every single day.
Suzanne Tolman, President
Suzanne is the founder and driving force behind PAWS-n-PURRSIST, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the human–animal bond during times of crisis. Her vision was born from personal experience, deep compassion, and a belief that no one should have to choose between getting help and keeping their beloved pet.
With a background in animal care management and years of hands-on experience working with dogs and pet families, Suzanne brings both professional expertise and heartfelt understanding to her work. She has seen firsthand how life’s unexpected challenges can create barriers to safety, stability, and healing — and she is passionate about removing those barriers for others.
Suzanne leads with empathy, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to serving people and their pets with dignity. Her mission is simple but powerful: to create a community where healing can happen without heartbreak, and where love — especially the love of a companion animal — remains a source of strength through life’s hardest moments.
Jessica Ashby, Vice President
Jessica is deeply committed to serving her community and is continually seeking ways to support individuals and families facing crisis. Her passion for helping others is evident through her leadership of her own nonprofit organization, Cardinal Grace Foundation, where she works tirelessly to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
As Vice President of PAWS-n-PURRSIST, Jessica brings compassion, initiative, and a strong background in community outreach. Her heart for both people and animals align beautifully with our mission to protect the human–animal bond during times of hardship. Jessica’s dedication, empathy, and diverse skill set strengthen our ability to serve the most vulnerable members of our community with dignity and care.
Her light truly shines in every life she touches, and we are grateful for the leadership and heart she brings to PAWS-n-PURRSIST.
Ashley Barnett, Secretary
Ashley brings years of hands-on experience and heartfelt dedication to her role as Secretary of PAWS-n-PURRSIST. With an extensive background in pet care, she has worked closely with both dogs and cats, providing reliable, compassionate care that always puts the well-being of animals first.
Her journey in animal care is rooted in a deep, genuine love for the human–animal bond. Ashley understands that pets are family, and she approaches every animal with patience, kindness, and respect. Whether she’s caring for a nervous pup, comforting a shy cat, or helping support the behind-the-scenes work that keeps PAWS-n-PURRSIST running smoothly, Ashley leads with empathy and heart.
As Secretary, Ashley plays a vital role in maintaining organization, communication, and continuity within the organization. Her attention to detail and commitment to our mission help ensure that we can continue providing safe, loving support for pets while their people navigate times of crisis.
Ashley’s compassion, experience, and unwavering love for animals make her an invaluable part of the PAWS-n-PURRSIST family — and a trusted advocate for the pets and people we serve.
Tonya Pelfroy, Treasurer
Tonya brings a strong background in accounting and extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations to her role as Treasurer of PAWS-n-PURRSIST. She is deeply committed to financial transparency, integrity, and responsible stewardship, helping ensure our organization remains accountable as we grow and serve our community.
An avid animal lover, Tonya shares her home with six dogs and understands firsthand the powerful bond between people and their pets. Her compassion for both animals and people fuel her dedication to our mission and the families we support.
In addition to her work with PAWS-n-PURRSIST, Tonya serves full-time with another nonprofit organization, where she continues to make a difference. She also has a remarkable talent for identifying funding opportunities that help strengthen our programs and support our long-term goals.
Tonya’s heart for service, financial expertise, and commitment to ethical practices make her an invaluable part of the PAWS-n-PURRSIST team.
Amy Shields, Recovery Liason
Amy serves as our Recovery Liaison, bringing deep compassion, lived understanding, and strong connections within the recovery community to PAWS-n-PURRSIST. Her outreach work helps open doors for individuals with substance use disorders, ensuring they have the opportunity to find safe, temporary foster care for their beloved pets while they focus on healing.
Amy’s heart for both people and animals shines through in everything she does. She understands how powerful the human–animal bond can be during difficult times and is passionate about removing barriers that might prevent someone from seeking help. Through her advocacy and dedication, Amy helps extend hope, dignity, and support to those working toward recovery.
Her empathy, commitment, and unwavering compassion make her an invaluable part of our mission and a trusted support for the community we serve.
Support We Provide — And What’s Outside Our Scope
Support for People in Crisis — Safety for the Pets They Love
🐾 Who We Are
PAWS-n-PURRSIST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Southern Indiana and the Greater Louisville area. We exist to protect the powerful bond between people and their pets during life’s most difficult moments.
We believe no one should have to choose between getting help and keeping the companion they love.
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💛 What We Do
PAWS-n-PURRSIST provides temporary pet care solutions for people experiencing crisis, including medical emergencies, mental health treatment, recovery programs, housing instability, domestic violence situations, and other life-changing events.
Our services are designed to keep pets safe while their humans focus on healing and rebuilding.
🐶 Our Support Services Include:
• Temporary Foster Placements
Safe, loving foster homes for pets while their owners seek treatment, shelter, or supportive services.
• Sliding Fee Scale Boarding & Pet Sitting
In partnership with trusted care providers, we offer reduced-cost boarding and pet sitting for qualifying individuals facing financial hardship.
• Crisis Care Coordination
We collaborate with case managers, treatment centers, recovery programs, and community partners to support both people and pets.
• Veterinary Resource Connections
When possible, we help connect families with low-cost vaccination, spay/neuter resources, and essential veterinary care during a pet’s stay.
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🚫 What We Do Not Do
To ensure we can sustainably serve families in true crisis situations, there are some services PAWS-n-PURRSIST does not provide:
• We are not a permanent surrender or rehoming service
Our program is designed for temporary care with the goal of reunification whenever safely possible.
• We do not provide long-term or lifetime boarding
Our services are short-term and tied to a specific crisis or recovery plan.
• We are not an emergency veterinary clinic
We cannot cover major emergency surgeries or ongoing complex medical treatment, though we may help connect families with resources.
• We do not take in aggressive or unsafe animals
For the safety of our fosters, volunteers, and partner facilities, pets must be behaviorally safe and able to be handled.
• We cannot guarantee immediate placement
Foster availability depends on space, volunteer capacity, and the needs of animals already in care.
• We are not a shelter or animal control agency
We operate through foster homes and partnerships — not a public intake facility.
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🤝 Our Mission in Action
Every day, we help remove one of the biggest barriers people face when seeking safety, treatment, or stability — fear of losing their pet.
By providing temporary care, financial flexibility, and compassionate support, we give families the time and space they need to recover — without heartbreak.
Join our Community
Be part of the PAWS-n-PURRSIST network of compassionate people helping keep pets safe while families heal.
You can make a difference by:
• Following and sharing our mission
• Becoming a foster
• Donating or sponsoring pet care
• Volunteering your time or skills
• Partnering as a local business or provider
Together, we make sure no one has to choose between getting help and keeping their best friend.