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About

Our mission is to champion animal welfare, lead policy change, and support animals and their caregivers with compassion and care.

No-Kill Policy

In 2000 a group of local animal lovers began to reveal the problem of pet homelessness in Delaware and expose the animal shelters’ reliance on mass euthanasia to free up space for more incoming pets. At that time, 80–90% of the animals entering Delaware shelters did not make it out alive! It would take nearly two decades to change this.

Faithful Friends was founded with Jane Pierantozzi at the helm to fight for better outcomes for animals that end up in shelters. Today, Faithful Friends is committed to a No Kill philosophy. We strive to end killing for all animals who are not irremediably suffering, rigorously defined. Our approach can save ALL healthy, treatable, and trainable animals which in most communities across the country equates to a 90% or higher save rate. Faithful Friends Animal Society is an advocate for animal welfare, a shelter for homeless pets, a resource for pet owners and colony caretakers, and a beacon of hope for our community.

Our People

Jane Pierantozzi, Executive Director

Executive Director, Jane Pierantozzi


Pam Heissenbuttel Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer, Pam Heissenbuttel


Alison Romano, Volunteer & Community Affairs Manager

Volunteer & Community Affairs Manager, Alison Romano


Kayla Mullen, Marketing & PR Manager

Marketing & PR Manager, Kayla Mullen


Shannon O’Neill, Development & PR Director

Development & PR Director, Shannon O’Neill


Jeannie DiSabatino, Facilities & Human Resources Director

Facilities & Human Resources Director, Jeannie DiSabatino


Amanda Rainford, Donor Development Manager

Donor Development Manager, Amanda Rainford


Joyce Hoffman, Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer, Joyce Hoffman

Sabrina Bruckner Canine Behavior Specialist

Canine Behavior Specialist, Sabrina Bruckner


Rebekah Muller, Dog Adoption Coordinator

Dog Adoption Coordinator, Rebekah Muller


Geannine Checchio Dog Department

Dog Department, Geannine Checchio


Nicole Cunningham Dog Placement Coordinator

Dog Placement Coordinator, Nicole Cunningham


Bre Mealy Cat Adoption Counselor

Cat Adoption Counselor, Bre Mealy


Emily Fraim Cat Adoption Coordinator

Cat Adoption Coordinator, Emily Fraim


Lynn Albright Cat Department Manager

Cat Department Manager, Lynn Albright

Dr. Patricia Mapps

Dr. Patricia Mapps


Ashley Weicker Lead Veterinary Technician

Lead Veterinary Technician, Ashley Weicker


Dr. Rob Lawrie Veterinary Medical Director

Veterinary Medical Director, Dr. Rob Lawrie


Dr. Meghan DesGroseilliers Associate Veterinarian

Associate Veterinarian, Dr. Meghan DesGroseilliers


Dr. Karen Sweeney Shelter Medicine Veterinarian

Shelter Medicine Veterinarian, Dr. Karen Sweeney


Kim Dieter Director of Medical Operations & Customer Service Manager

Director of Medical Operations & Customer Service Manager, Kim Dieter


Marina Moran Medical Operations Manager

Medical Operations Manager, Marina Moran

Honored Founders

Ellice McDonald, Jr.
Bill Farrow

Board of Directors

Robert Wasserbach, Esq., CPA – President, NCC Auditor
Sharon Struthers – Vice President, Philanthropist
Erin Salamone – Treasurer, Audit Manager, Exelon
Rebecca Frederick – Secretary, Philanthropist
Tomas Gordon – CEO, ClearOne Advantage
Nancy Horisk – Freelance Writer-Photographer
Saffiya Jarvis – SVP, Regulatory Complaints Executive
Alicia Rodriguez, Esq. – Adjunct Professor, Brooklyn Law School

Board of Advisors

Sean Bavol-Montgomery, CFO, Integrity Staffing Solutions
Bonney Brown, Humane Network 
Jill Cantera, President, Bellevue Contractors, LLC
Gene Delle Donne, VP of Delle Donne & Associates
Kathy Gallagher, Owner, Michael Gallagher Jewelers
Jessica Jones Esq. – Partner, Saul Ewing, LLP
Donna Kinzel, Executive, Ursuline Academy
Paul McConnell, CEO/Founder, McConnell Development
Gary Phillips, Policy Consultant
Craig Prettyman, Chief of Technology, University of Delaware
Ann C. Rose, Philanthropist
Laurisa Schutt, Philanthropist
Carol A. Tavani, MD, MS, DLFAPA, Executive Director, Christiana Psychiatric Services
Angela Tsionas, President, Tsionas Management
Nathan Winograd, Esq., No Kill Advocacy Center
Connie Wittig, Diamond State Management
Jeanne Mell, Principal, JMell Communications
Jennifer Young, VP Planned Giving and Development Analytics, University of Tel Aviv

Visit Us

Shelter & Administrative Offices:

165 Airport Rd.
New Castle, DE. 19720
(302) 427-8514
info@faithfulfriends.us

Community Veterinary Clinic:

165 Airport Rd.
New Castle, DE. 19720
(302) 792-PETS (7387)
vetcare@faithfulfriends.us

Pet Life Line (302) 427-8008 for guidance on pet care or behavioral issues

Annual Numbers

Contact us

2,188 Pets served at FF Veterinary Clinic

11,500 Pet caretakers counseled

281 Pet life line hours dedicated by volunteers

1,358 Animals found new homes

1,870 Animals spayed/neutered

195 Animals in sanctuary care or long-term care

$4.6 Million Dollars spent caring for our animals

Want to support our cause?

Be an Animal’s Angel and Donate to Support the Lives of our Animals

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