TEAM MEMBERS
Amanda Casarez
Program Manager
Amanda joined DDR in April of 2013 and manages operations including our shelter intervention program, community clinic programs, pet support space, and spay/neuter programs. Amanda has been involved in animal rescue for many years and has dedicated her life to being a support system for her community of people and animals in need.
Yesenia Conde
Office Manager
Yesenia joined DDR in 2013 and has been our shelter intervention and pet support space counselor and office manager. She spends her time supporting her community members and educating pet parents. Yesenia enjoys spending time with her rescue dogs and advocating for dogs in need.
Jenny Eav
Kennel Manager
Jenny joined the kennel team in 2017 and became kennel manager in 2019. Jenny provides hands on care, coordination of medical needs, and socialization with rescue dogs. She has years of experience as a lead handler and as a dog playgroup volunteer with LA Animal Services. Jenny enjoys fostering dogs and providing second chances to overlooked dogs.
Liv Sigel
Project Coordinator
Liv joined DDR in 2023 and manages different DDR projects including Clancy's Closet, community events, and spay/neuter events. Liv is passionate about animal non-profit efforts and enjoys doing homelessness outreach in her community.
Amanda Brooks
Gratitude Coordinator
Amanda has served as DDR's Gratitude Coordinator for the past several years, managing donations and acknowledgments. She has worked in the dog rescue field in Los Angeles for over five years and enjoys educating the public on the importance of spay and neuter. Amanda loves spending time with her family and their rescue animals.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lori Weise
Founder & Executive Director
Lori Weise cofounded Downtown Dog Rescue in 1996 and volunteers her time as DDR's Executive Director. Lori brings 19 years of experience managing the DDR kennel, delivering community spay/neuter programs, and is the founder of the Shelter Intervention Program. In addition to overseeing DDR operations, she is a national speaker on community programs and the shelter intervention model of keeping pets in homes. Lori has been the General Manager of Modernica Inc for 19 years.
Debbie Fan
Treasurer & Adoption Manager
Debbie Fan has been a volunteer with Downtown Dog Rescue since 2008 and a board member since 2013. Debbie brings over fifteen years of experience as a City of Los Angeles Animal Services volunteer and has extensive experience working with dog behavior issues and counseling the public before and after adoption. Debbie manages our adoption program and evaluates shelter dogs coming into our rescue. Debbie is also an actor and lives with her husband and three dogs.
Richard Tuttelmondo
Secretary
Richard Tuttelmondo is a second generation dog rescuer and founding member of Downtown Dog Rescue. He adopted Tina (pictured above) when she became available at the shelter after being released from an animal cruelty case that DDR helped to prosecute. Richard was responsible for overseeing all construction aspects for building our Second Chance Kennel in South Gate. He continues to be an active participant in our community events development and planning. Richard has been the Plant Manager of Modernica for 20 years. He lives, and hikes, in Los Angeles with his beloved Tina.