Who We Are
Helping BC pets since 2011.

We are unstoppable optimists working to ensure that no pet gets left behind.
Paws for Hope envisions communities that embrace all pets as family, ensuring they are loved, free from harm. We are guided by a Code of Ethics and our mission is to keep pets and people together, ensure BC pets survive and thrive, and support positive change in animal welfare.
This includes direct program delivery, grant funding, advocacy, and professional development. By filling the gaps with our own direct animal assistance and educational programs while simultaneously strengthening and empowering BC’s existing animal welfare sector, we’re moving closer and closer to realizing our vision of a province that provides the utmost care and protection for its companion animals.
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Annual Reports & Financials
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Paws for Hope 2020-2021 Annual Report
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2021 Financial Statements
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Paws for Hope 2019-2020 Annual Report
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2020 Financial Statements
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Paws for Hope 2018-2019 Annual Report
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2019 Financial Statements
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Paws for Hope 2017-2018 Annual Report
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2018 Financial Statements
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Paws for Hope 2016-2017 Annual Report
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Paws for Hope 2015-2016 Annual Report
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Paws For Hope 2014-2015 Annual Report
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Paws for Hope 2013-2014 Annual Report
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No Pet Left Behind
Saving lives
Paws for Hope Animal Foundation has launched an innovative program to assist pets whose people are fleeing violence.
Press Release
Better Together
Help for Bear
When Bear needed some unexpected veterinary care, our Better Together program made sure that he got the medical attention he needed.
Learn MoreOur Partners
“Our forward-thinking, pioneering approach means we are continually focused on system-wide impacts to make our sector—and the province as a whole—better informed and more humane.”
Kathy Powelson
Thank you for your support
Thanks
Paws for Hope also thanks The River Foundation, the Burnaby Community Foundation, and the Randall Foundation for their support.
We are also very grateful to the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund distributed through the Community Foundations of Canada, Port Coquitlam Community Foundation, Coquitlam Foundation, Port Moody Foundation, United Way of Greater Victoria (and/or Victoria Foundation), The Maple Ridge Community Foundation, and the Vancouver Foundation.
Our Team
Paws for Hope is a small team passionate about animals and their ongoing care and protection. We’re even more passionate about finding a way to make animal welfare more sustainable in B.C. so we’re not stuck heads-down in emergency response mode unable to plan and build for the long term, especially important in a region that receives no government funding and sometimes limited corporate support for these animals.
Board of Directors
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Cynthia Boulter
President
Cynthia is passionate about the work Paws for Hope does to advance animal welfare and through her role on the Board she focuses particular attention on the areas of fundraising and stakeholder engagement. Animals are her joy in life, and she is honoured to be a part of this organization. As Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Cynthia leads the Development, Community Events, Communications, Distribution and Community Agency teams. Her career includes experience in operations and client services, business development and key account management, and P&L responsibility with companies such as Morneau Shepell, TELUS, Accenture Business Services for Utilities/BC Hydro, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and Mackenzie Financial Corporation.
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Katelynn Denny
Vice President
Katelynn is an employment lawyer and workplace investigator at Forte Law Corporation in Surrey where she advises clients on all aspects of employment law and workplace human rights. Katelynn is passionate about using her knowledge and legal skills to empower not only her clients, but others in the community. Her volunteer experience includes providing advice and support to individuals who have experienced sexual harassment at work. Katelynn was born and raised in the Fraser Valley and has been an animal lover her whole life. Having experienced the joy and happiness that animals can bring, she joined Paws for Hope to give back to the community and help provide support to pets and their families.
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Lexy Mcleod
Treasurer
Lexy is a Chartered Professional Accountant(CPA), who works at a national accounting firm in Surrey. Lexy was born and raised in Fort St. John B.C. and has always had a love and admiration for animals. She is currently a dog mom to two Westies, Brea and Keka! Lexy decided to get involved in Paws for Hope after learning about the great work the organization does to keep pets with their families. Lexy’s dog Keka, is actually shared with a family who immigrated to Canada from Mexico, and couldn’t keep their pet due to living arrangements. Keka now gets the benefits of two families who love her dearly! Lexy is a Chartered Professional Accountant(CPA), who works at a national accounting firm in Surrey. As the treasurer, Lexy works to ensure fiscal responsibility of the generous donations that come in to to the organization.
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Tessah Clark
Secretary
Tessah began her journey in animal welfare advocacy when she starting volunteering at the Victoria SPCA with her older sister, when she was only six years old. She went on to volunteer at Witty’s Lagoon Nature House with her Dad when she was a teenager, educating the public on the diverse plants and animals living in the park’s rich habitat. In 2016 Tessah was rescued by her sweet adopted dog Molly, who has inspired her continued volunteer efforts. Tessah is the Executive Director of the Face of Today Foundation, a charity that provides resources and educational opportunities to high-risk youth in downtown Vancouver. Prior to her career in the non-profit sector she worked in marketing with a specialization in intercultural communication.
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Karen Sloat
Director
Karen has worked in corrections for approximately 25 years. She has a diverse background in corrections having worked in community corrections, mental health services, regional interventions management and in penitentiary. Karen has always remained focused on service delivery, and working to promote safe and successful communities. She has joined Paws of Hope in order to continue to contribute to communities in another way that matters to her, the quality care and support to pets and their families.
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Shawn Llewellyn
Director
Dr. Llewellyn is a veterinarian and a managing partner of a multi-doctor practice in Surrey. Shawn was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and graduated with honours in Animal Sciences from Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture receiving the Governor General’s Academic Award. Dr. Llewellyn received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island where he co-founded the annual Animal Welfare in Practice symposium and was awarded the Christopher Award in Animal Welfare. Shawn was a founding Board member of Paws for Hope, previously serving as Board President from 2015 to 2019. Dr. Llewellyn is the Director of Veterinary Services for Paws for Hope and sits on the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia’s Investigation Committee. Shawn was awarded with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Humane Award in 2016 in recognition of his work on animal welfare matters spanning more than 20 years, but specifically honouring his work with Paws for Hope and the development of Paws for Hope’s programs supporting pets of the homeless and marginalized in our society. In his spare time Shawn enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, gardening, travelling and reading. He lives in Ladner with his partner and their cats, Casey and Echo.
Our Staff Team
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Kathy Powelson
Executive Director
604.396.9297
Kathy is the founder and Executive Director of Paws for Hope Animal Foundation. Prior to working in animal welfare, Kathy spent 20 years working in social services. Through her experience in the social services, Kathy recognized many parallels between animal welfare and social service work and is a strong advocate for linking the two sectors together to support healthy and vibrant communities. Kathy has a Master’s Degree in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and is a published author. She lives in Maple Ridge, BC with her husband, daughter, and cats, Nala and Cinnibar, and dogs, Henry and Barkely.
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Cassie Preston
No Pet Left Behind Coordinator
604.506.9297
Cassie has been an animal lover her entire life. Her love for animals but weak stomach kept her away from veterinary work, but her drive for social justice led her to help animals in other ways. After completing a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Psychology, Cassie moved to Vancouver to complete a Juris Doctor degree at Allard Law. She later volunteered with the BC SPCA briefing Canadian cruelty cases to contribute to the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty. Cassie continues this work today as a contributing member of Nationwide and Provincial groups working on the Violence Link. Cassie worked for a local cat rescue organization for four year. In that time, she developed a passion for helping the most challenging cats with behavioural and health issues. She also began fostering and has been hooked ever since. Cassie has fostered hundreds of animals and finds extreme joy in giving them a home while they recover from illness, acclimatise, await their furever home or return back home with their family after a crisis. Cassie lives in Langley, with her partner, two dogs, three cats and a host of foster cats
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Emily Aono
Human Support Coordinator
778-991-7729
Emily has a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Science, with minors in Linguistics and Psychology. Prior to joining Paws for Hope, Emily worked in community social services and remains passionate about community-based programs. She has operated youth programs for teens with developmental disabilities, worked at crisis intervention centres, and has experience with a wide variety of community members. Growing up, Emily was always surrounded by animals. Her family home in North Delta, was an open door to any and all foster pets. This fueled her love and understanding for the important role companion animals play in one’s life. Emily is committed to being a consistent source of support for Paws for Hope’s clients and is devoted to supporting pets and people in their communities. Emily lives in Vancouver with her partner and cat, Clyde.
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Marshall Watson
Communications Coordinator
Marshall manages the Paws for Hope website and makes sure that our organization’s documents and reports are clear and effective and look professional. In addition to his role at Paws for Hope, he is also the Communications Manager at The Federation of Community Social Services of BC. He grew up in Edmonton where he played in queer rock and roll bands, helped run a leadership camp for queer youth, and was a professional wedding photographer. He also volunteered his time to take professional photos of the animals at the Edmonton Humane Society to help them get adopted as quickly as possible. It was dope. He lives in Vancouver with his partner and their terrible cat-child, Record. He thinks that everyone should play Dungeons & Dragons.