About Us

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. 

Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) has been serving San Diego County and the Southern California community for more than 64 years. Founded by animal lover Maria K. Lloyd, our shelter once operated out of a couple of converted cottages and barns on nearly 5 acres off a dirt road which is now Interstate 5. Over the past two years, RCHS campus has experienced a complete transformation. Today, RCHS can support a population that has grown more than 300% since its founding. With our “Unleashing PAWSibilities Capital Campaign, RCHS now includes the state-of-theart Charlotte’s Medical Center, Vivian’s Learning Center, FOCAS Adoption Center and Community Pet Food Pantry.

What We Do 

While RCHS is well-known for its personalized pet adoption process, youth education programs and Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS) program, we also are recognized for established programming designed to strengthen and promote the human-animal bond. This includes the Animal Safehouse Program for victims of domestic violence, military veterans and seniors, the Community Pet Food Bank, Pet-Assisted Therapy and Pet Loss Support programs, and the Veterinary Care Program for Seniors in need.

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 as established by the Asilomar Accords. 

At RCHS, we believe everyone should be able to keep their beloved pets safe, healthy and by their sides, Every Animal Deserves a Tomorrow®.

TAX ID # 95-2151583

Meet Our Team

Judi Sanzo

President & CEO
(with Stella)

Brian Arao

Customer Service Director
(Zeus & Layla)

Chelsea England

Animal Safehouse Program Director

Matt Gentile

Chief Operating Officer (Rainie)

Sydnie Greenfield

Animal Care Director (Duke)

Lizzie Hart

Humane Educator
(Beetlejuice)

Nina Jimenez Taylor

Sr. Director of Strategic Communication
(with Levi)

Libby Kovalcik

Behavior & Training Specialist
(with Beez)

Colette Licata

Veterinary Care Program Coordinator

Mikalla McFadden

Foster Program Director
(Deacon)

Julie Moews

DVM – Veterinarian
(Pixie)

Michele Moua

Adoption Services Director
(Kippie)

Janice O’Connell

Thrift Shop General Manager

(Finnegan)

Kelly Peters

Vice President, Community Impact (with Molly)

Mary Pilon

Volunteer Services Director (Bear)

Niki Plasse 

Community Outreach Manager

John Van Zante

Public Relations Director
(with Jake)

Mark Viguri

Multimedia Designer

(Flynn)

Kathy Zerkle

Medical Director

(Makutu)