Our Mission:
Rancho Coastal Humane Society is dedicated to saving lives of abandoned companion animals, promoting adoption into loving homes and offering education programs and support services that inspire and strengthen the human-animal bond.
TAX ID # 95-2151583
Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) was founded in 1960 by animal lover Maria K. Lloyd who purchased property off a small dirt road in Encinitas, California. At that time, the shelter was home to dogs, cats, birds, goats, sheep and even a burro named Milton. Today, that dirt road is I-5, but the shelter still operates out of the same little yellow house.
RCHS is well-known for its personalized pet adoption process, Friends of County Animal Shelters program (FOCAS) and humane education programs. RCHS is also recognized for services that strengthen the human-animal bond, including the Animal Safehouse Program, the Community Pet Food Bank, Pet-Assisted Therapy and Pet Loss Support programs, Veterinary Care Program for Seniors and community outreach that provides a “helping paw” to people in crisis. At RCHS, we believe everyone should be able to keep their beloved pets safe, healthy and by their sides.
A member of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition, RCHS abides by the pledge that NO healthy, treatable animal will ever be euthanized for time or space. To view RCHS 2023 intakes and outcomes as established by the Asilomar Accords, please click here.
At Rancho Coastal Humane Society, we believe that Every Animal Deserves a Tomorrow®.
Meet Our Team
![Judi Sanzo-Stella](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Judi-Sanzo-Stella.jpg)
Judi Sanzo
President & CEO
(with Stella)
![BrianArao-Zeus Layla](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/BrianArao-Zeus-Layla.jpg)
Brian Arao
Customer Service Director
(Zeus & Layla)
![Mosa](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mosa-1024x921.jpg)
Doug Downing
Communications Director (Goff)
![Chelsea England_HS](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chelsea-England_HS.jpg)
Chelsea England
Animal Safehouse Program Director
![Sydnie-Duke](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Sydnie-Duke.jpg)
Sydnie Greenfield
Animal Care Director (Duke)
![Lizzie Hart-Beetle Juice](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Lizzie-Hart-Beetle-Juice.jpg)
Lizzie Hart
Humane Educator
(Beetlejuice)
![Libby Kovalcik-Beez](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Libby-Kovalcik-Beez.jpg)
Libby Kovalcik
Behavior & Training Specialist
(with Beez)
![me](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/me-1.jpg)
Colette Licata
Veterinary Care Program Coordinator
![Mikalla McFadden - Deacon](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Mikalla-McFadden-Deacon.jpg)
Mikalla McFadden
Foster Program Director
(Deacon)
![Julie Moews-Pixie](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Julie-Moews-Pixie.jpg)
Julie Moews
DVM – Veterinarian
(Pixie)
![kippie 2](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/kippie-2-1024x1024.jpg)
Michele Moua
Adoption Services Director
(Kippie)
![Janice O'Connell-Headshot](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Janice-OConnell-Headshot.jpg)
![Kelly Peters-Molly](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Kelly-Peters-Molly.jpg)
Kelly Peters
VP, Community Impact (with Molly)
![bear bear bear](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/bear-bear-bear.jpg)
Mary Pilon
Volunteer Services Director (Bear)
![Niki_Team-Headshot-1](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Niki_Team-Headshot-1.jpg)
Niki Plasse
Community Outreach Manager
![John Van Zante-Jake](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/John-Van-Zante-Jake.jpg)
John Van Zante
Public Relations Director
(with Jake)
![Mark(Flynn)_Team Headshot-1](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/MarkFlynn_Team-Headshot-1.jpg)
Mark Viguri
Multimedia Designer
(Flynn)
![Kathy Zerkle-Makutu](https://rchumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Kathy-Zerkle-Makutu.jpg)
Kathy Zerkle
Medical Director (Makutu)