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 

Board of Trustees

Lisa Morris


Founder

Board Member


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

Board Member


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.”



Dawn Truesdale


Board Member


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.”


Judith D Fisher


Board Member


Retired, former Vice-Chairman and CFO of Huntington Bancshares. Former Board Member of Lifecare Alliance, Girl Scouts of Central Ohio, Harding Hospital and State Teachers Retirement System. Volunteer at various cat rescue organizations. TNR experience. Animal advocate.


“Animals are connected to us all, but domesticated creatures especially so, because they depend on us for food, shelter and protection. My goal is to work diligently to see that their welfare is assured, providing them contented lives in exchange for their companionship and unconditional love.


Denson Parker


Board Member


Retired management employee with AT&T. Active in local animal rescue, as well as neighborhood management of community cats and visiting wildlife. Personally cared for downtown Columbus colony of 20 feral cats for years, practicing TNR. Committed to helping develop practical solutions for community animal issues.


“To capitalize my interest with APN, I am passionate about doing what’s necessary to protect those animals in our midst that are vulnerable to abuse or neglect.”



Penny Barrick


Board Member


Lawyer, chambers of Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr., U.S. District Court  for the Southern District of Ohio. Formerly with Porter Wright Morris  and Arthur, LLP, Columbus. Secretary and board member of the Ohio  Lawyers Assistance Program, a non-profit dedicated to helping Ohio’s  judges, attorneys, and law students obtain treatment for substance use  disorders and mental health issues, a committee member of Restored  Citizens Initiative helping federal prisoners reenter society, mentor at  Moritz Ohio State College of Law, and a 4H leader in Young Riders,  Franklin County 4H. Experienced horsewoman and advocate for their care  and humane treatment. Committed to improving the quality of life for all  animals.


“I am passionate about the welfare of all animals but  focus much of my attention on horses. I believe that we can prevent the  suffering of thousands of horses a year through the dissemination of  information about irresponsible breeding, in the back yard, horse  showing businesses, and particularly in the horseracing industry.  Every  day horses are shipped in the most horrendous conditions to brutal  slaughter outside of the United States.”


Kelly Murphy


Board Member


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 prospective board member, Kelly hopes 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.



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.