A Bit About Us
AMI Pup Rescue is a 501 C3 rescue comprised of five passionate dog lovers that have over 40 years of combined experience in rescue. We are dedicated to building an organization where every abandoned or surrendered dog finds a loving home. AMI Pup Rescue is a foster based rescue – our dogs reside in homes with our approved fosters.
Meet our Team
Debbie
Founder-President
Debbie has been living on Anna Maria with her husband Gary since 2011. Originally from Long Island, New York, she has lived with dogs all her life and now has a full pack at home. Her husband Gary shares her passion for pets and supports her in every way.
Debbie has been volunteering for different rescue organizations and shelters since 2016, doing everything from walking dogs and supporting fund raising efforts to vetting adopters to finding the perfect home for a rescue’s available dog. At one of these organizations, she fell for two beautiful pitbulls that needed a home. She adopted them both, and with love, patience, and training, showed them a much better life.
Watching the transition from shelter dog to beloved pet has inspired her to continue her efforts to improve the lives of these often misunderstood animals.
Christine
Secretary-Treasurer
An island resident since 2014, Christine has worked with Debbie, Dawn, Jean and Mark in all aspects of volunteer rescue from vetting potential adopters to transporting and fostering.
Mark
Vice President
You’ll see Mark with his UnderDog rescue Nora driving around the island. Mark has volunteered his time with local area rescue efforts and his small business donates its proceeds to the AMI Turtle Watch and local dog rescues.
Mark is shown here with ‘Duncan’, a dog we fostered that had little hope for adoption. Duncan’s rescue village found his forever home with an angel we could only dream of!
Mark has been an island resident since 2013.
Dawn
Advisor
Dawn has been working in the dog rescue arena for over 17 yrs. She brings with her a vast amount of love for all breeds of dogs and a wealth of knowledge in rescue. She founded another 501 C3 Rescue in the last 5 years and was an intricate part of the everyday procedures. She was also area coordinator taking the rescue lead in Mantatee and Sarasota counties.
Dawn currently fosters and has been a foster mum for 47 different dogs. Her love of animals was instilled by her dear mother who loved every animal she ever encountered. She hopes to continue fostering as long as there are animals in need.
Dawn is originally from Australia and has been married for 50 yrs. She has 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
Jean
Advisor and Graphics
Jean always had a passion for animals and has always been an animal advocate. She started as a vet tech and went back to school for cardiology specialist, ultrasound technologist and has a degree in complimentary alternative medicine. She moved to Florida in 2001 and became a volunteer for Mote Marine Lab, rehabbing wild dolphins and sea turtles. In addition, the last 8 yrs have been dedicated to dog rescue including being an area coordinator and board member of a 501 C3 rescue.
Jean also does our graphic design work on our Facebook page and AMI Pup Rescue website.