Mimi’s Ark: All Breeds and Needs at The Animal Pad

Story and photos by Mimi Pollack

LA MESA, California –Nine years ago, I wrote an article on the all-breed dog rescue, The Animal Pad (TAP), which was then headed by Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan.  A lot has changed since then, and this non-profit dog rescue based in La Mesa has really grown as it continues to save the lives of many dogs. TAP ministers to dogs from other shelters, dogs that are owner surrendered, and dogs from various [and sometimes perilous] situations in Tijuana and Baja California.

Nisan and Weinrib have passed on the torch with Nisan remaining on the Board of Directors. The present Executive Director and woman of many hats is the formidable Lauren Botticelli who came in seven years ago. In addition, in 2020, TAP acquired a physical building on Avocado Boulevard to run the day-to-day operations and house a kennel for up to 40 dogs.

Botticelli has numerous responsibilities as the only salaried person. She leads the day-to-night operations, and she does a lot of their social media. She is the hands on “take care of the dogs” person at their facility in the evening. She is also effective at public relations and building a community. This dedicated dog lover has pictures of her own dogs tattooed on her arm!

However, because TAP rescues many more dogs than they can keep at their kennel, they need volunteers and foster pet owners. Botticelli is very good at recruiting many loyal volunteers who work side by side with her. Even her parents are volunteers!  I met them the day I volunteered last month. I signed up to transport four puppies to an adoption event and I had to go to their home to pick them up. Her parents did such a good job of fostering and socializing the puppies that they all have been adopted.

TAP’s dedicated volunteers are the backbone of this rescue operation as they help in many ways. First, many volunteers foster these dogs until they find a permanent home. They also help with transportation to vet appointments, adoption events, and keeping everything running smoothly both in and out of the facility. TAP volunteers have a special page on Facebook to connect and find out about and coordinate different events. This non-profit is good at working cohesively, which in turn has helped to save many dogs.

The day I visited the facility, the first dog I met was Momo who looked like a little Koala bear. Momo was dropped off by his foster, vet tech Randi Koziorowski. She told me that Momo had been rescued from Tijuana and was picked up in very bad shape as he had been attacked and badly injured. Thus, he was reactive and very fearful.

Koziorowski was the vet tech at the clinic where Momo was brought in and although she already has a dog of her own, she volunteered to take care of him. She told me she took him home and spent a lot of time working with him to help him overcome his fears. When I met him, he was much calmer. He let me pet him and did not try to bite me. Momo is so cute that it is only natural to want to pet him, and thanks to his patient foster, he is now more trusting, and will soon be ready for adoption.

The second dog I met was Depp [think Johnny] who only had one eye. Depp was part of a group of dogs that TAP rescued from the Bahamas. In the Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean, they call these mixed breed dogs “potcakes.” Depp also came in very fearful, but Botticelli herself worked with him, and this potcake has slowly been coming out of his shell. He shyly greeted me.

The last dog I met on my visit was a cute little white terrier mix named Alf. He was rescued 15 minutes before he was going to be put down at a shelter in the LA area. They thought nobody would adopt him because of a bad cough. TAP stepped in and brought him to San Diego where he was treated and is now healthy and waiting for his forever home.

TAP is always looking for fosters and volunteers and they welcome people of all ages and abilities.

One volunteer who stood out was Dani Levin who has been with TAP for five years. She is considered the “Human Resources” person and director of the volunteers. She heads the Facebook volunteer group with 1,800 members and makes sure there are no miscommunications among the volunteers.  She is also known for her warm and friendly personality who goes above and beyond to help.

Thanks to the executive director and all the volunteers in their precise roles, TAP is a well-oiled and effective non-profit that has rescued thousands of dogs since its inception 13 years ago.

There is a delicious way you can help.  San Diego Padres Pitcher Joe Musgrove has teamed up with TAP and Puesto Mexican Restaurants. From now until October 2^nd, if you buy a Joe’s Adobada taco, the proceeds will go to TAP.

TAPs website may be accessed by clicking here.

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