Together We're Making a Difference

President, Clinic Hosts & Animal Advocates

Andrea and Mike are at the heart of JBay Animal Resources Society (JBARS), sharing a deep commitment to improving the lives of animals throughout the Jaltemba Bay community.   Andrea serves as President of JBARS, but for both of them, animal rescue is very much a hands-on commitment.

Their home and property become the centre of JBARS’ largest sterilization clinics, transforming into a fully functioning veterinary clinic where upwards of 700 animals can be sterilized in just four days. They open their doors to veterinary teams, volunteers, hundreds of animals and their families, providing the space and support that make clinics of this scale possible.

Beyond the clinics, Andrea and Mike are tireless animal advocates. They maintain community feeding stations, help raise critical funds, contribute personally to animal care and respond when animals are abandoned, injured or simply have nowhere else to go. Like many dedicated rescuers, their own home has also become a safe haven for animals needing care, recovery or a second chance.

Before dedicating much of her time to animal welfare, Andrea was an entrepreneur and small business owner, bringing years of practical business experience, resourcefulness and leadership to her role as President. Mike served in the Navy, and brings that same sense of service, dependability and willingness to step in wherever needed to his work with JBARS.

Together, Andrea and Mike have made animal welfare a part of their everyday lives—giving their time, their resources and quite literally their home to help create a better life for animals in their community.

Board Member & Community Liaison 

Amy brings a unique combination of healthcare expertise, strong community relationships and a deep love of animals to her role with JBARS.

Fluent in Spanish and closely connected to the local community, she understands the culture, the people and the realities facing animals and the families who care for them.

Professionally, Amy has built a career in healthcare and clinical research, with extensive experience in oncology. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health Administration and has worked in patient care, clinical management and cancer research. Her experience working closely with physicians and medical teams, coordinating care and navigating complex medical information translates naturally to her work with JBARS, where she serves as an important liaison with our veterinarians and medical providers.

Equally valuable is Amy’s connection to the community. Her Spanish-language skills and understanding of local culture allow her to communicate directly with residents, build trust and better understand what people and their animals need. She believes lasting improvements in animal welfare come from working together with the community.

Above all, Amy is a passionate animal advocate who combines compassion with an impressive set of professional skills. 

Whether working with a veterinarian, helping navigate a complicated medical case or connecting with a local family, she brings knowledge, understanding and a genuine commitment to making life better for animals throughout our community. 

 Secretary-Treasurer & Board Member

Donna brings a unique combination of organizational leadership, communications experience and hands-on animal rescue to her role as Secretary-Treasurer and Board Member.

A longtime supporter of animal welfare, Donna is involved in both the day-to-day work of the organization and the accountability required of a registered Canadian charity. She oversees JBARS’ financial records, reporting, supports organizational planning and communications, and works alongside fellow board members to ensure donor funds are used responsibly to help animals and the people who care for them.

A passionate animal advocate, Donna is dedicated to making life better for animals in the community. She often brings sick, injured or vulnerable animals home, providing a safe place to heal. Fostering has become a big part of her life (and by default, also her husband Kevin's life) and their home has been a temporary haven for many animals on their journey to permanent, loving homes.

Before dedicating much of her time to animal rescue, Donna spent over 35 years in the corporate world, including senior roles in organizational change management and corportate communications. Throughout her career, she supported major organizational transformations, including privatization, large-scale IT projects, mergers and acquisitions. She has previously served as President of both the Association of Railway Communicators and the Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton.

Today, she brings that same combination of organization, communication and commitment to JBARS—with considerably more fur involved.

Board Member & Dedicated Animal Advocate

Mike brings decades of entrepreneurship, business leadership and practical problem-solving to his role as a Board Member of JBay Animal Resources Society (JBARS). 

Having built, grown and successfully sold several businesses over the course of his career, Mike brings an experienced business perspective to the organization, along with an ability to see opportunities, find solutions and keep moving forward when challenges arise.

Mike’s path to success was anything but conventional. After leaving school and home at 15, he later entered university as a mature student and started a landscaping business to support his young family. That business grew into a successful career developing companies specializing in landscaping and plant health care. 

Over the years, he built businesses serving thousands of customers in Calgary and the Okanagan and became a highly regarded tree and plant specialist, working with government, municipalities, major landscape companies and private clients.

 Today, Mike is happy to direct much of that same energy and determination toward improving the lives of animals. He and his wife Rhonda spend considerable time in Los Ayala, where they see firsthand the challenges facing street animals and regularly step in when they see an opportunity to help.

These days, success looks a little different for Mike. It’s less about building businesses and more about building a better future for animals who need someone in their corner.