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About Us
Our Mission Columbus Dog Connection is a 501c3, limited admission dog and cat rescue organization, formed in 1998. We are a network of dog enthusiasts who rescue all breeds of dogs and cats. We promote all rescues & shelters in Ohio and be in dogged pursuit of saving every adoptable dog until dogs/cats are no longer euthanized for lack of space. We operate a high quality mobile spay/neuter service, targeting areas with high animal population and low spay/neuter resources. We offer a low cost vaccine clinic the first Saturday of the month. All dogs/cats that wish to take advantage of our low cost services must be spayed/neutered to attend. Every dog that leaves our care is spayed/neutered, including 8 week old pups. We believe that allowing a pup to leave our care not spayed/neutered would perpetuate the problem we work so hard to overcome every day. Our non official mission: To go out of business because our services are no longer needed. We often hear a chuckle or wishful thinking comment when we say this, and we say this often, but if we didn’t believe we could end the problem of overpopulation, we have no business asking anyone to believe in us... much less to give us even one of their hard earned dollars. |
In 2018, we celebrated 20 years of our life saving work. Click here to see our anniversary newseltter with 20 years of highlights. A Video Overview of What We Do
Awards Media Video Library Our office 2761 Johnstown Rd Columbus OH 43219 614-471-9000 KDifrischia@gmail.com If you would like to receive our annual newsletter via land mail, send your land mail address to: Kellie KDifrischia@gmail.com |
Mirna Bowman
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Kellie DiFrischia
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Dr. Kristy Clay
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Sandy Horvath
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Mirna is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Columbus Dog Connection where she has served for 20 years. Mirna is the project manager for The Ohio Spay/Neuter Project. She works with the County Coordinator for each travel clinic. Mirna manages the staff including vet, vet tech and vet assistant. Mirna directs our low cost vaccine clinic which takes place monthly and serves a low income and Spanish speaking audience. Mirna is a graduate from The American University in Washington DC with a BSBA in Accounting and Finance, (1982) and is a Certified Public Accountant, (1986). Her work experience includes: Auditor with Grant Thornton International in Washington DC, Controller at The Jewish Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Kellie is Co Founder and Co-Director of Columbus Dog Connection where she has served for 20 years. While working to advance the mission of her group, forefront for Kellie is assisting in the efforts of all humane organizations. This was the impetus for numerous projects she created including: Mingle With Our Mutts, Habitat for Dogmanity and The Elevated Dog Bed Project, which won The Make A Difference Day state award. Most recently, she spent seven years working on Senate Bill 130, groundbreaking legislation to regulate the commercial high volume dog breeding industry. Senator Jim Hughes called this bill the most difficult of his career. As co-author of the “puppy mill bill,” she served as the lead advocate for the humane movement which required intense negotiations with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties at both the state and national level. Kellie’s professional experience and leadership in the animal welfare movement have contributed to her being widely recognized as one of the state’s leading experts on puppy mills. Kellie holds a BS in Education, Slippery Rock University, (1989).
Kellie's comments at signing of Puppy Mill Bill Petstore Testimony, Dec 2016 Petstore Testimony May 2016
Dr Kristy Clay is a graduate of The Ohio State University. She has donated to and adopted a pooch from Columbus Dog Connection. Dr Clay helps our efforts by volunteering at our vaccine clinic as well as seeing many of our foster dogs. Dr Clay has been with Gahanna Animal Hospital since 1996. She is an expert small animal pocket pet Vet. Dr Clay also serves on the City Parks/Rec Dog Advisory Board.
Sandy Horvath was in the financial services industry for 20 years. She left this industry, which she loved, to pursue her passion, the law and animals. Her hope is to help make the world a more kind and compassionate place for animals. She does this by helping individuals with animal related issues, whether it is a dispute with a neighbor, the unfortunate case of animal cruelty, a custody dispute involving a beloved family pet, or a discrimination issue involving a service animal. She does her best to improve the situation for all involved. She also uses her knowledge and skills accumulated in the financial services business to help individuals with their estate plans and help business owners with their business concerns. She received my BBA in Marketing from Ohio University in 1990, her MBA with a concentration in Finance from Ohio University in 1991 and her JD with a concentration in dispute resolution from Capital University Law School in 2014. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio.
www.SHorvathLaw.com
Kellie is Co Founder and Co-Director of Columbus Dog Connection where she has served for 20 years. While working to advance the mission of her group, forefront for Kellie is assisting in the efforts of all humane organizations. This was the impetus for numerous projects she created including: Mingle With Our Mutts, Habitat for Dogmanity and The Elevated Dog Bed Project, which won The Make A Difference Day state award. Most recently, she spent seven years working on Senate Bill 130, groundbreaking legislation to regulate the commercial high volume dog breeding industry. Senator Jim Hughes called this bill the most difficult of his career. As co-author of the “puppy mill bill,” she served as the lead advocate for the humane movement which required intense negotiations with a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties at both the state and national level. Kellie’s professional experience and leadership in the animal welfare movement have contributed to her being widely recognized as one of the state’s leading experts on puppy mills. Kellie holds a BS in Education, Slippery Rock University, (1989).
Kellie's comments at signing of Puppy Mill Bill Petstore Testimony, Dec 2016 Petstore Testimony May 2016
Dr Kristy Clay is a graduate of The Ohio State University. She has donated to and adopted a pooch from Columbus Dog Connection. Dr Clay helps our efforts by volunteering at our vaccine clinic as well as seeing many of our foster dogs. Dr Clay has been with Gahanna Animal Hospital since 1996. She is an expert small animal pocket pet Vet. Dr Clay also serves on the City Parks/Rec Dog Advisory Board.
Sandy Horvath was in the financial services industry for 20 years. She left this industry, which she loved, to pursue her passion, the law and animals. Her hope is to help make the world a more kind and compassionate place for animals. She does this by helping individuals with animal related issues, whether it is a dispute with a neighbor, the unfortunate case of animal cruelty, a custody dispute involving a beloved family pet, or a discrimination issue involving a service animal. She does her best to improve the situation for all involved. She also uses her knowledge and skills accumulated in the financial services business to help individuals with their estate plans and help business owners with their business concerns. She received my BBA in Marketing from Ohio University in 1990, her MBA with a concentration in Finance from Ohio University in 1991 and her JD with a concentration in dispute resolution from Capital University Law School in 2014. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio.
www.SHorvathLaw.com