Our Board of Directors


Yvonne Allbee, Founder / President
Yvonne Allbee started Bow-Wows & Meows in 2001, with a mission of matching adoptable shelter animals with potential families. Knowing the joy that her own rescued pets Bear, a 1-year old Shepard mix (at that time), and her then cat, 8 year old "Kitty", brought her, Yvonne felt the community would support a pet fair if they knew how many great animals needed homes…and she was right. Over 1,000 L.A. County shelter animals have been adopted as a result of Bow-Wows & Meows so far at the last 10 pet fairs! In May of 2011, Yvonne lost her sweet dog, Bear at 14 1/2 years old. She now shares her home with Bears brother Sam, a 9 year old gray tabby cat. Of course, when the time is right, Yvonne will be adding a dog to her home via the only humane way; ADOPTION. Until then, it's Yvonne and Sam against the world. A longtime resident of the Santa Clarita Valley, Yvonne is a registered nurse who works in hospice. She has volunteered at many local organizations, but Bow-Wows & Meows holds a special place in her heart and she looks forward to expanding the organization in the future.

Michelle Sathe, Board Member / Public Relations
Michelle Sathe has been volunteering with Bow-Wows & Meows since she met founder Yvonne Allbee while covering the fair as a Signal reporter in 2005. Now a board member and the fair's PR director/raffle coordinator, Michelle loves feeling a part of the solution in finding shelter animals loving families. She shares her own home with Sam, an 11-year old boxer/pit bull mix who showed up on her porch Christmas night 2000; Buster, a 6-year-old Staffordshire mix she found running the streets of Newhall and Sugar Butt, her boyfriend's Persian princess. Michelle is the author of "Pit Stops: Crossing the Country with Loren the Rescue Bully" (www.pitstopsbook.com). She is also a board member and volunteer coordinator at the Brittany Foundation (a no-kill rescue in Agua Dulce).

Rhonda Webster, Board Member / Secretary
Rhonda Webster is a registered nurse who has known Yvonne for almost 12 years. Now a board member, she has watched Bow-Wows & Meows grow from an idea into a wonderful reality. Rhonda grew up around dogs and cats and always enjoyed having at least two pets at a time so they could play together. Rhonda's busy household includes a husband, two sons, Spook, an American Bulldog and Neko, a Boxer.

Sandie Allaway, Board Member / Volunteer Coordinator
Sandie is very much looking forward to participating as a second year board member. Being a board member provides her the opportunity to pursue one of her biggest passions…working with, working for, helping out, educating, and whatever else is needed to support Bow-Wows & Meows in its tireless pursuit as a voice for animal awareness. Sandie now has her 20-pound Main Coon, Spike, which is really two cats, that she rescued from a cat shelter seven years ago after she lost the love of her life, Shooster, who was almost 19 years old. She swears Shooster brought Spike to her so she wouldn't be in so much pain. Sandie also volunteers with New Leash On Life Dog Rescue and Wolf Connection. She cannot imagine her life without a pet…and her husband, Jack, who is an amazing individual.

Hsiawen Hull, Board Member / Shelter Liaison
Hsiawen Hull has been attending Bow-Wows & Meows as a Shelter Volunteer for the last 7 years. After recently becoming a board member Hsiawen is happy to be more involved with the organization that has helped the county place countless animals over the last few years. Hsiawen and his wife Deborah share their home with a Long Haired Chihuahua named Coco, who was brought into the shelter with a police escort! And a Doxi/Corgi mix named Stu who showed up as a foster one day and just never left. Currently Hsiawen works for College of the Canyons as Assistant Director of Computer Support Services in the Information Technology department, and is the lead volunteer with the Castaic Animal Shelter. Hsiawen specializes in working with the animals that most others have already given up on. In addition to the little furry ones he is also a truck team member of the Equine Response Team (ERT), working to evacuate Horses and livestock during disaster situations.

Len Bentley, Board Member
Len Bentley, father of Yvonne Allbee, founder of BW&M.< span="">ha<>s been a member of this fine organization since day one. After working 30 years at a profession that he enjoyed, Len was able to retire at 55 thus allowing him a great deal of time to pursue his other interests, like camping, fishing, building his muscle cars and of course BW&M. Len's love for animals has been a part of his life since a young man. This animal-loving theme continues with his involvement in BW&M as well as his assistance to his daughter Wendy who runs her own Pet Sitting Company. (www.funfurallpetsitting.com)

Two years ago, Len rescued his pal Louie from a shelter. Louie an 86 lbs pure bred boxer is now his traveling and camping companion....Len has never been without a dog in his life and has no plans on ever changing that.

Jen Bowen, Board Member
Jen Bowen has been an animal lover ever since she can remember - her family adopted Sam, a Chihuahua mix, when she was two years old. Then it was on to cats, with Jen taking in neighborhood strays as a teenager. She adopted two cats after moving out on her own: Buddy, an orange tabby, now 17 years and Pal, who died late last year. As a board member for Bow-Wows & Meows for six years and a volunteer since their third year, Jen has been able to save many more homeless pets. She is a wife, mother to a beautiful five year old daughter and a handsome one year old son, and works full-time for Roze Room Hospice.  

Marilyn Hathaway, Board Member
Marilyn has been an animal lover all her life and has passed this love down to her great-grandchildren. She has 2 daughters, 3 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, 1 great-granddaughter and 1 great-grandson. As a child, she longed for a dog or a cat but since her mother and she always lived in apartments, she had to settle for Horny Toads, Guinea Pigs and birds. She is now a semi retired probate legal secretary, living in Castaic with her 4 dogs; Banjo, a Jack Russell Terrier age 15, Puzzles, (Banjo's daughter) age 13, Katie, a Shepherd/Golden Retriever/Shar Pei Mix age 7 and Jack just recently adopted from the Castaic Shelter, origin unknown but probably Boarder Collie /Chihuahua/Fox Terrier/Jack Russell Mix, age 4 months. Marilyn volunteers at the Castaic Animal Shelter, mostly walking the shelter dogs and trying to comfort them until they find their forever homes. Being on the board of Bow-Wows & Meows is just another avenue for her to be able to do what she loves and she is looking forward to contributing her skills to the organization.

Mark Tipton, Board Member
Mark Tipton is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. He offers private and group classes using positive reinforcement techniques to train dogs. He and his wife, Lisa have been rescuing dogs for 11 years. In 2009 they rolled out the AngelDogs Foundation non-profit spay/neuter mobile clinic which provides low cost services in three counties. Together, they rescue deaf dogs, with a planned future sanctuary that will be the first all-breed deaf dog facility in the nation. Mark and Lisa have been residents of Santa Clarita for almost 20 years. It is their mission to reduce unwanted pets, pet over-population and the impound rate at our local shelters.

Other Very Special Team Members:

Mark Fortier
Mark has been a professional performer for over fifteen years. He began as a radio disc jockey until his calling led him to live performance art. His ability to read a crowd and establish an outstanding rapport with his audience distinguishes Mark as a truly proficient showman. With a contagious enthusiasm and charisma, Mark will go the extra mile to make your party a positively spectacular event. Mark has had the privilege of providing his MC and DJ talents every year for the Bow Wow & Meows Pet Adoption Fair. Visit www.whataparty.com.

Peter Hernandez
With over 7 years of professional graphic design experience, Pete offers his talents in print and web to Bow-Wow's & Meows for this years event. Recently welcoming a Doberman Pinscher puppy to the family, he has several loved pets including birds, cats and dogs. Pete can be contacted at pete6811@gmail.com.