Our Fearless Leaders
Angi Murray & Kady Doody, Co-Founders of PLMR
Puppy Love Maternity Rescue was established in August of 2023, by Angi Murray and Kady Doody, two friends from Ventura County, CA. The challenge of unwanted, neglected and abused dogs in California is overwhelming the county systems, and growing exponentially every day, due to animals not being spayed or neutered. The friends were introduced to the suffering of the innocent animals through a collaboration with Bakersfield City Shelter.
Angi has a background in animal training and ranch management, and Kady, a recently retired RN, has the medical background and availability to provide much of the hands-on care these vulnerable animals need. The two discovered their passion was for the heavily pregnant moms who would labor, and deliver their puppies in a stressful, infectious environment- only to be euthanized with their babies in a few week’s time. As a small rescue, Angi and Kady discovered they could intervene in this tragic scenario, put great effort into raising healthy puppies, and find loving responsible homes in Ventura County and beyond.
Our Volunteers
Esther Lumanauw, Social Media, Events
Esther is a UCSB graduate who moved to Ventura County with her college sweetheart. When she is not volunteering, you can find her reading, painting or watching Abbott Elementary.
She found PLMR online after rescuing her first puppy, Dawkins. He and his siblings were abandoned out in the desert, found at just 6 weeks old. After adopting, she felt the call to help other pups in the same situation!
Kathy Moacanin, Events
The work Puppy Love Maternity Rescue does is exactly what Kathy was looking for in her next life chapter. She expressed that our commitment and dedication to helping pregnant mama dogs and their babies is what inspired her to jump on board with us immediately.
For 33 years, Kathy trained and competed in the dog sport of Schutzhund. During that time, she bred and raised several litters of workingline German shepherds. Pups from her litters went into search and rescue, service dog, narcotics detection and cadaver search, as well as dog sport.
"It’s my extreme pleasure to now share my knowledge and expertise with the other side of the dog world- the neglected and uncared for dogs of the world."
"Together we make a difference in the lives of the dogs and the people who take them into their homes!" - Kathy
Kim Galbraith, Website Developer, Events
Kim is our website person and has always been crazy about animals, especially dogs.
She is a registered yoga instructor and energy practitioner who loves to work with the gifts of the earth. Her previous canine companion, Buster - a true natural therapy dog - was a staple in her private yoga classes for 10 years.
Introduced to Puppy Love Maternity Rescue by one of her yoga pals, she began her journey with us by donating a portion of sales from her crystal jewelry, t-shirts and natural dog care products last summer.
She came to one of our adoption events and met Barley (now "Bella)" and her puppies in August. Bentley stole the doggie portion of her heart. Her sister, Brie, bonded herself to Kim's sons. The two sisters maintain a tight bond, have weekly playdates and get into lots of mischief together.
"I've always wanted to do something meaningful in the dog rescue sphere. When I met Kady and Angi it was an instant connection!" - Kim
Our Fosters
Cayla, Harper, Hallie and Ryan Swift
Cayla and her family started following PLMR for cute puppy pictures. One night they saw a picture of Benny posted and something inside of Cayla clicked, and she felt called to help because he looked like a mini version of their old dog, Boston.
Without thinking too much into it they messaged us and set up a time to pick him up the next day.
Since offically adopting Benny they have decided to be open to fostering more dogs.
"PLMR has made such a great impact on our lives by allowing us to be apart of something bigger. It has been such a great way to raise our girls and honor our past dogs. We’re forever thankful for the work PLMR does." - Cayla
Lety and Jessie
Lety and Jessie have always had a deep love for dogs, and that’s why they are passionate about being a foster family for Puppy Love Maternity Rescue.
They enjoy giving these dogs a safe and nurturing environment while they await their forever homes, and it brings them immense joy to be part of a cause that helps both dogs and their future families thrive.
"Being involved with Puppy Love Maternity Rescue feels like a natural extension of our love for animals, and we’re proud to contribute to this incredible mission." - Lety and Jessie
Aunty Sue
Sue (fondly known as "Aunty Sue" to her foster dogs), became a foster for PLMR in Fall, 2024.
In 2003, Sue moved to Simi Valley and found her passion for animal rescue, being a lifetime animal lover. Over the years she has made many animal rescue friends and fostered hundreds of dogs and cats.
"Fostering pregnant dogs became my favorite foster pastime as there were not enough people who could make the long term commitment required." - Sue