Our Mission

We connect communities and animal welfare groups to create a world where all animals are treated with kindness and respect.


We do not duplicate direct services - we connect people and animals to those services that already exist and we build community capacity where gaps in services exist. We build partnerships, collaborate, and build resource capacity to solve problems that affect communities and animals alike.


Our focus caters to the specific needs of animals and communities, ranging from free-roaming cats to diverting horses from slaughter facilities.


Founded in 2017, the mission of our organization is to build coalitions and work to bring about a culture where all animals are treated with kindness and respect.

Led by a Board of like-minded advocates, APN is developing a network for communication and idea-sharing with a variety of rescue organizations, community support groups, municipal agencies, and interested individuals. This developing network is the connective link across all these groups, facilitating exchange of best practices and helping to solve resource needs.


Our Mission

We connect communities and animal welfare groups to create a world where all animals are treated with kindness and respect.


We do not duplicate direct services - we connect people and animals to those services that already exist and we build community capacity where gaps in services exist. We build partnerships, collaborate, and build resource capacity to solve problems that affect communities and animals alike.


Our focus caters to the specific needs of animals and communities, ranging from free-roaming cats to diverting horses from slaughter facilities.  Founded in 2017, the mission of our organization is to build coalitions and work to bring about a culture where all animals are treated with kindness and respect. 


Led by a Board of like-minded advocates, APN is developing a network for communication and idea-sharing with a variety of rescue organizations, community support groups, municipal agencies, and interested individuals. This developing network is the connective link across all these groups, facilitating exchange of best practices and helping to solve resource needs.

Animals Have No Voice.  They Can't Ask For Help.  They Can't Ask For Freedom.  They Can't Ask For Protection.  Humanity Must Be Their Voice.   

815

TRAP, NEUTER, VACCINATE & RETURN

8000

POUNDS OF FOOD DELIVERED

800

CAT SHELTERS BUILT & DISTRIBUTED

200

CATS FOSTERED & PLACED 

our founders

Lisa Morris


Founder


Lawyer with former work experience at HSUS, Washington, DC., managing a national standards program for local humane societies and animal control groups. Retired Executive Director, OH School Employees Retirement System. Active in Columbus community cat projects and dedicated animal lover.


“My passion for all animals and their quality of life is coded in my DNA. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of my mother who founded a humane society over 60 years ago that remains active to this day.”



Kent Shimeall


Founder


Lawyer with experience in public sector in Washington, D.C., OH Attorney General’s office, and OH Supreme Court. Retired.  Active in local animal rescue efforts.


"I have come to appreciate the tremendous value animals bring to our quality of life and that we owe it to them to improve the quality of their lives.”



Board of Trustees

Elizabeth Birie


Board President


Elizabeth Birie brings a background in program leadership, learning design, and community engagement to her role on the Animal Protection Network board. Throughout her career, she

has led statewide initiatives, managed large-scale events, and built collaborative partnerships focused on education, implementation support, and measurable impact.


Her commitment to animal welfare grew through hands-on involvement in community cat advocacy and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts. She has worked alongside caregivers and

rescue partners to support humane population management, strengthen neighborhood awareness, and expand access to resources that protect vulnerable animals.


Elizabeth is especially interested in advancing sustainable, community-based solutions that pair education with action. She believes meaningful change happens when compassion is supported by structure, collaboration, and thoughtful outreach. “Animals depend on us. When people care and act on that care, we can reduce suffering and create practical, humane solutions that work for both animals and the community.

Rachael Denholm


Board Vice-President


Rachael is a lifelong animal lover who obtained her B.S. in Zoology from Ohio State University and worked with animals in a variety of settings including five years in education and husbandry at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.


After obtaining her Master of Public Health - Veterinary Public Health degree at Ohio State, she worked as an infectious disease epidemiologist for the state of Ohio from 2017 to 2025. Rachael is now a healthcare data analytics specialist for the state of Ohio with advanced skills in database maintenance and data analytics.


She strives to implement sustainable evidence-based solutions especially as it relates to public health and animal welfare. She is passionate about education on animal welfare topics, building communities through open communication and education to allow humans and animals to coexist, and empathetically empowering people who may want to help animals in need yet lack the resources.


Rachael worked with fellow board member and neighbor Elizabeth to engage with other cat caretakers in their community and create an efficient communication system to coordinate community cat efforts. The group stays very busy with TNVR, fostering, and homing of stray cats in their corner of downtown Columbus and run a neighborhood community cat Instagram page.


Rachael is excited to help strengthen the networks APN has already begun building and advance tracking processes to maximize APN's impact. 


Kelly Murphy


Board Treasurer


Kelly Murphy is a dedicated financial planner and advisor in the financial services industry. Originally from Cincinnati, she relocated to Columbus in 2019 and has been a proud resident of Franklinton since 2022.


Kelly’s passion for animal welfare led her to APN in 2024 while seeking support for community cats in her neighborhood. Over the past year, she has actively worked to improve the lives of these animals, helping to neuter and vaccinate approximately 10-11 cats and successfully placing two in adoption programs, where they quickly found loving homes.


Her involvement with APN has not only made a tangible difference in the well-being of the local cat population but has also fostered greater awareness and engagement among her neighbors. Through her efforts, community members have recognized the importance of humane cat management and have become more informed about available resources.


As a board member, Kelly continues to further APN’s mission by educating others on how they can get involved. She is committed to helping reduce the stray cat population and improve the lives of homeless animals through advocacy, outreach, and continued collaboration with the community.

Dawn Truesdale


Board Member - Board Secretary


Veterinarian with Linworth Animal Hospital, a member of the American Animal Hospital Association. Previously interned in emergency medicine while working with Michigan Veterinary Specialists. Advocate for all animals’ well-being and for their good health.


“As a practicing veterinarian, I bring my love of animals to work each and every day. It has become an important priority for me to advocate for animals, especially those that need our protection and care.”


Heidi Short


Board Member


Heidi Short brings a wealth of diverse experience and a deep commitment to animal welfare to her role as a board member of the Animal Protection Network. Throughout her career, she has connected with people from a wide range of backgrounds, but it wasn’t until she became involved in Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and fostering that she truly discovered her passion. She now plans to further her dedication to this field by completing her college education with a focus on animal welfare.


Known for her diplomatic and patient approach, Heidi is steadfast in her beliefs and unwavering in her commitment to making a difference. Her involvement extends beyond direct cat rescue—she plays a critical role in strengthening partnerships between APN and other organizations, such as New Albany Pet Rescue, where she is frequently called upon to assist cats in crisis situations, from those trapped in drains to abandoned kittens in parking lots.


Through her dedication, advocacy, and hands-on involvement, Heidi continues to be a driving force in improving the lives of community cats and expanding awareness of humane solutions for managing feline populations.