"Updates Under Construction"

Our Board of Directors


Yvonne Allbee, Founder / President
Yvonne Allbee started Bow-Wows & Meows in 2001, with a mission of matching adoptable shelter animals with potential families. Knowing the joy that her own rescued pets Bear, a 12-year old Shepard mix, and Sam, a seven-year old gray tabby, brought her, Yvonne felt the community would support a pet fair if they knew how many great animals needed homes…and she was right. Over 700 L.A. County shelter animals have been adopted as a result of Bow-Wows & Meows so far. A longtime resident of the Santa Clarita Valley, Yvonne is a registered nurse who works in hospice. She has volunteered at many local organizations, but Bow-Wows & Meows holds a special place in her heart and she looks forward to expanding the organization in the future.

Michelle Sathe, Board Member, Public Relations
Michelle Sathe has been volunteering with Bow Wows and Meows since she met founder Yvonne Allbee while covering the fair as a Signal reporter in 2005. Now a board member and the fair’s PR director/raffle coordinator, Michelle loves feeling a part of the solution in finding shelter animals loving homes. She shares her own home with Sam, an 8-year old boxer/pit bull mix who showed up on her porch Christmas night 2000; and Buster, a 3 year-old Staffordshire mix she found running the streets of Newhall. A public relations consultant and freelance writer by trade, Michelle also walks dogs and cleans kennels weekly at the Brittany Foundation (a no-kill rescue in Agua Dulce).

Rhonda Webster, Board Member, Secretary
Rhonda Webster is a registered nurse who has known Yvonne for almost 10 years. Now a board  member, she has watched Bow-Wows & Meows grow from an idea into a wonderful reality. Rhonda grew up around dogs and cats and always enjoyed having at least two pets at a time so they could play together. Rhonda’s busy household includes a husband, toddler son, and Harley, a four year old boxer mix adopted from the animal shelter, and Spook,  a three year old American Bulldog.

Gina Galla, Board Member, Volunteer Coordinator
Gina Galla has been a part of Bow Wows and Meows for the last four years, serving as a board member and volunteer coordinator. She is currently working as a registered nurse and lives in Northridge with a 7 year old Chihuahua named Chachi. This spring Gina and her husband, Tony, welcomed their first child into their family, a beautiful baby girl. Gina has always been an animal lover and is a passionate and strong believer in the mission of Bow-Wows and Meows.

Len Bentley, Board Member
Len Bentley is the father of Yvonne Allbee, founder of BW&M, and has been involved in this great organization from the very beginning. After working for 39 years at a profession he enjoyed, Len was able to  retire at 56 years old, giving him many years of "doing what I want to do, when I want to do it," including helping out with Bow-Wows & Meows. Len’s love for animals goes back as far as he can remember - in fact, he has no memory of ever being without a dog. This animal-loving theme has continued right through marriage and kids - Yvonne with Bow-Wows & Meows, while his other daughter, Wendy, has her own pet-sitting company (funfurallpetsitting.com). Len & his wife June recently adopted a two-year old boxer, Louie, from the shelter.

Jen Bowen, Board Member
Jen Bowen has been an animal lover ever since she can remember - her family adopted Sam, a Chihuahua mix, when she was two years old. Then it was on to cats, with Jen taking in neighborhood strays as a teenager. She adopted two cats after moving out on her own: Buddy, an orange tabby, now 14 years and Pal, a grey long hair, now 8. As a board member for Bow Wows and Meows, and a volunteer since their third year, Jen has been able to save many more homeless pets. She is a wife, mother to a beautiful daughter, and works full-time for Gourmet Coffee Service, who are huge supporters of Bow-Wows & Meows and  many other non-profits in the community.

Other Very Special Team Members:

Mark Fortier
Mark has been a professional performer for over fifteen years. He began as a radio disc jockey until his calling led him to live performance art. His ability to read a crowd and establish an outstanding rapport with his audience distinguishes Mark as a truly proficient showman. With a contagious enthusiasm and charisma, Mark will go the extra mile to make your party a positively spectacular event. Mark has had the privilege of providing his MC and DJ talents every year for the Bow Wow & Meows Pet Adoption Fair. Visit www.whataparty.com.

Michelle Vincent
Michelle Angelo Vincent currently works from her graphics studio in the Seattle area. Her career in design began in 1990, working for various magazine publications. Over the past 18 years, she has worked as Art Director (where she had won numerous design awards), as well as a freelance Graphic Artist. She has been providing print media and web design for Bow Wow & Meows and the Pet Adoption Fair for the past 2 years and absolutely LOVES to be able to help with this organization. She can honestly say that she loves her work! From print media to web design, she can handle it all so give her a call! No matter where you live.
Visit: www.angelographics.com.