About Us
Motley zoo Animal Rescue is a rock N' roll themed, volunteer-powered, foster-based, no-kill, 501c3 nonprofit corporation
Click one of the below links to jump to that section to learn more!
Our Mission | Our Vision | Foster-Based | Volunteer-Powered | Where is Motley Zoo?
| Our Impact | Why Foster-Based? | Founders & Board of Directors | Fosters & Volunteers
Our Mission
Motley Zoo Animal Rescue is dedicated to improving the lives of animals locally, nationally and internationally; alleviating their suffering and elevating their status in society through the rescue and rehabilitation of animals in need and through the education of their community on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, advocating the value of all animal life, in hopes to end the neglect and abuse of all animals and to end the devastating pet overpopulation through spay and neuter advocacy.
Listen to the awesome voicemail we received from an unknown caller!
You rock - thank you!
Our precious Adam Rippon, one of our international rescues who came to us from our partners in Korea, is one of the many meat market trade and street dogs we've helped give a second chance at life.
This sweet rescue, Cher, literally came to us in the
arms of a good samaritan, who found her struggling
just down the road from our studio. After two surgeries and rehab, she found her forever home!
Our Vision
Motley Zoo Animal Rescue dedicates its work to end pet overpopulation and the resulting euthanization of healthy, adoptable animals due to limited space and funds of our local, national, and international animal welfare organizations as well as working to end abuse and neglect of all animals resulting from lack of information and education of the community, all the while advocating the value of all animal life.
“These birds and animals and fish cannot speak, but they can suffer, and our God who created them, knows their sufferings, and will hold him who causes them to suffer unnecessarily to answer for it…”
– George Q. Cannon, Animal Activist
How does Motley Zoo work?
Foster-based
There are big differences between animal shelters and animal rescues.
It is likely you are far more familiar with the idea of a shelter- and a rescue may be a relatively foreign concept.
Unfortunately, this lack of understanding of the fundamental differences between the two structures is can cause frustration when adopting.
Both are critical when it comes to the animal welfare system as collaboratively (and in a complementary way), offer the widest range of support for both animals and people.
In general, the rule of thumb is:
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Rescues typically exist virtually, due to the nature of utilizing foster homes to house animals and volunteers vs having a staff. You cannot typically "visit" a rescue at all. Communication is done via the internet before a meeting can take place - but compatibility is also assessed before that meeting. Meetings are set only with pre-approved, screened applicants, who seem a likely match for the animal in question. The adoption meeting is therefore the last step in determining a potential match - not the first.
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Shelters are locations where animals are housed on-site, in kennels and are ready to go home that day. Communication is done on the spot, after meeting the animal. However, true compatibility is assessed after you've gone home.
Both care for animals in need of homes; however each do so in very different ways, and in a different order, for different reasons - with different rules, principles and strategy.
Motley Zoo cannot operate like a shelter - and a shelter cannot operate like a foster-based rescue. Like libraries and bookstores, both have books inside - but operate differently - so do rescues and shelters.
This can be a bit confusing for people; we understand. We believe that some day, our model will be quite ordinary. Until then, we will do our best to explain the differences - as well as the huge advantages of operating as a hybrid mission.
Where is Motley Zoo?
Motley Zoo Animal Rescue is both a virtual and physical operation. Our rescue is virtually-based and we have a physical location in Monroe, Washington, where we offer dog boarding and training, and can connect our mission to the community.
This physical location grounds us in the community in a way most rescues never can, as it helps people recognize our mission more tangibly. It also allows us a place to gather, and train the dogs in our care and even those we've adopted out.
And while the location represents our bigger picture as a rescue, it operates primarily as Motley Zoo at Woods Creek Kennels – an entrepreneurial, service-based business that further supports our rescue efforts and the mission's bottom line. This way donations can be utilized more efficiently toward our programs rather than overhead costs.
Despite the many options for the animals while we seek their permanent, adoptive homes, we still operate as a foster-based, primarily volunteer-powered, virtually run organization.
Due to the operational structure, adoptions require an approved application and an appointment- and are not a same-day opportunity!
We simply could not save as many lives as we have had,
without the selfless support from our rock star crew of
volunteers, fosters, etc. We are eternally grateful!
volunteer-powered
The Motley Zoo crew is primarily comprised of individuals, connecting via the internet, in their spare time, unpaid, to fulfill our mission to save lives.
As a result, the expectations of us should not be the same as that of any other business or multi-billion dollar corporation- especially when it comes to their ability to provide 24/7 service, catered specifically to your needs, desires and opinions.
Just as you cannot get drive-through service from a sit-down restaurant that requires reservations, neither can you alter the way a volunteer-powered, foster-based rescue works.
It takes us time and effort (read: a few days or more) to provide you the quality service we take pride in.
Our Impact
Motley Zoo has a 99% live release rate. This means that while less than 1% of the animals we’ve rescued have died or were humanely euthanized, we have saved 99% of them!
However due to both an unprecedented and ongoing crisis in animal welfare, in some places live release falls below 40%.
This means in many places around our country, more than half of the animals in shelters are put to death- primarily due to overpopulation.
While this is partially due to spay and neuter access, affordability and compliance, more recently it is because buying and breeding for profit have taken priority over rescue and adoption.
Unfortunately, since the pandemic, sentiment has changed from saving lives to a system that produces more animals than there are available homes for.
This has always been true to some extent, but the rate of animals in need vs available homes is widening greatly- and as a result animals are being euthanized in record numbers.
For specific data on our live release rate, check here.
Why foster-based?
Foster-based organizations have many advantages - namely being flexible in size and by carrying less overhead costs. Also critically important, the animals get to live in real homes, providing them a level of comfort that cannot be achieved in a shelter, and also allowing us to really get to know the animals best; so we can determine which adoptive families will truly suit each animal, as an individual…to make pairings that last “fur-ever.” Fostering can take some of the guesswork out of finding the right pet for your family.
Our animals are adopted directly from foster homes and solely housed in this manner and move to new homes through adoption meetings, events and/or partnering pet stores. They are spread throughout the area: from Redmond to Everett, to Tacoma. We coordinate virtually to arrange adoption based on inquiries from each pet’s internet profile.
Foster families are the backbone of our organization.
In an effort to reach more animals in need, foster homes allow us to accommodate the needs of the animals at any given time. We can grow as willing families join us - or scale back if there is less of a need for one reason or another. By utilizing volunteer homes in this way, rescue can direct live-saving resources directly to the animals, instead of to rent or other costs. On that same note, each animal gets treated like a family member in the meanwhile- until their adoptive home is found. This makes for happy, healthy animals we know well.
We are always in search of dedicated foster families. As a foster family, you provide our animals with a safe home to relax their minds; fresh water and healthy food to nourish their bodies; gentle hands and soft words to caress their souls.
But also, like children, pets crave routine, boundaries and limitations. Our foster families provide such structure, not only to help these animals become better companions, but also to provide them with (sometimes their first) sense of security. With all this- which is what most people do for their own pets already- these animals are able to relax and become happy, healthy creatures again- which in turn makes them more adoptable. This also helps them to adjust much easier into new forever homes.
You will find that fostering is easier thank you think- and changes so little for you…but makes a world of difference for each animal!
Founders & Board of Directors
Bryan and jme - Director, Executive Director
Bryan (Director of Marketing) and jme (Executive Director) are a married couple of avid animal lovers who have been involved in rescuing for the past 19 years. Animals are their life!
When they got their first dog Jasmine, they noticed she was very poorly socialized. Shortly after, they saw a plea for "death row dogs" who needed foster. They wanted to help Jasmine learn to be more like a "real" dog AND save a life at the same time…it worked out magically! They were immediately hooked on the idea of hosting a dog in their home.
They have fostered more than 1,500 dogs, cats and other animals over the years- typically focusing on little dogs with behavior issues and kittens but they will foster anyone in need including a baby pig, reptiles, ferrets, bunnies, guinea pics and more!
jme acts as Executive Director for Motley Zoo while Bryan has a full-time job making video games.
Christi, Community Outreach Director
Christi acts as Motley Zoo's Event Coordinator. She handles Event and Meet & Greet inquiries and coordinates volunteers and fosters to facilitate public outreach. She's also worked to grow MZAR's social media, fosters dogs regularly, and is well versed in all things Motley Zoo. Christi even created her own on-going fundraising event, Paint Fur Paws, where donors are invited to come learn how to paint their own personal pet portrait under her artistic guidance.
As an independent special needs pre-school art teacher by day, Christi brings a creative and nurturing presence to her volunteer work at Motley Zoo. We're so glad she found us 7 years ago when she adopted her MZAR Rock Star, PJ!
Nancy Jones Craven- Secretary
Nancy is one of our OG Board members, back again to help steer our mission toward sustainability and success- bringing more than thirteen years of dog rescue experience to Motley Zoo before joining in 2009.
Before and since, she's volunteered fostering post-surgical and seriously ill, yet treatable dogs; numerous behavior cases, has been active in fundraising, transporting and attending adoption events. Community outreach and the education of companion animal owners are areas of focus for Nancy.
Nancy has always done “whatever it takes” to draw attention to Motley Zoo’s mission (including her choice of awesome outfits)! We are honored to have her expertise, passion and generosity behind us for so many years.
Paige Kayner- Director
Paige started with Motley Zoo in 2010- first as an adopter, then as a dedicated foster and volunteer for many years until moving from the area.
Since then she has worked with numerous different organizations and has a unique perspective of not only what it's like to foster and volunteer, but to be behind the scenes as staff, helping an mission function efficiently.
She has a lot to offer Motley Zoo's mission, not least of which is a long time relationship with and understanding of Motley Zoo's founding principles and overall direction.
Paige lives in Oregon with her husband and two dogs, Willow and Wolfie.
Joanne Nagel- Treasurer
Joanne is not only a long time client of Motley Zoo's Rock Star Treatment Dog Daycare in Redmond, but she was also a client of Woods Creek Kennels prior to Motley Zoo's purchase! Prior to that, she also owned and operated a farm animal sanctuary in Oregon.
With this long-term relationship combined with technical, legal, board governance and treasurer experience, Joanne has a wide variety of skills and passion invested in our mission- and a clear understanding and commitment to steering the organization toward increased sustainability!
Joanne lives on the eastside with her beloved, fun and quirky pup, Viggo.
Staff
Amanda comes from a vast and varied background both in animal welfare and beyond.
She's evolved from her tech background to apply her skills, passion and experience to animals care missions such as San Francisco SPCA, Walla Walla Humane, Seattle, Humane, and PAWS.
While every role and organization has been different, what never changes is her commitment to elevating the status of animals in our homes and communities- committing her heart toward Motley Zoo's efforts to engage with and support the community's needs.
Amanda lives with five very opinionated and demanding chihuahuas- so she knows how to balance her efforts for the best results!
Amanda Wernert- VP Director of Operations
Tracey Rogers- Volunteer Manager
Tracey came to Motley Zoo with more than 15 years of experience in animal welfare and almost a decade of volunteer management.
She sought a way to create more impact, helping develop new programs, strategies and ideas- knowing Motley Zoo's mission offered more freedom and flexibility than most animal organizations that have been around for decades.
At Motley Zoo, she's not only helped develop and maintain a strong volunteer program, but she's become an integral part of the leadership and direction of our mission. Her passion extends beyond her specified role or the typical work day- and she can be found spearheading events, supporting staff and even walking dogs as a collaborative partner in all operational efforts.
Maria Griggs- HR Payroll Manager & Event Lead
Maria joined Motley Zoo in 2025, when the mission arranged to help her keep her dogs while she transitioned to more secure housing. To show appreciation, Maria volunteered to help out on site in Monroe.
Through this process she was not only humbled and grateful for the support, but she realized Motley Zoo is a community of caring, amazing individuals who all want the best for both pets and people. She felt at home and began delving deeper and deeper into the mission, volunteering at many events and always promoting our mission within the community.
When the time came to find staff support for some much needed admin roles, she was the natural choice with many years experience coordinating teams and implementing foundational change and improvement. We are grateful to her for her devotion and commitment to our mission, which she shares passionately.
Kennel Agents, Mentors & Dog Trainers
Motley Zoo employs a variety of individuals with dog handling backgrounds for work at our MZ Woods Creek Kennels. We seek those who not only have key experience and skills, but who particularly believe in the mission of rescue and adoption as a priority in their lives.
Work with us is not just a job to anyone- it's truly a lifestyle where we live and breath our life-saving mission of compassion for both pets and people!
Current Staff:
Caleb, Devyn, Jordyn, Kerrie, Lilly, Maya, Rose
Fosters & Volunteers
We have approximately 50 fosters and another 50+ volunteers who dedicate their time and love to our pets in need. Many prefer to remain somewhat anonymous, or are simply camera shy but we couldn’t do this without them! Motley Zoo rocks because of people who are willing to help.
To work on-site at our boarding & training facility, youth must be 18yrs+, but fostering can be done at home as early as 2 yrs old for cats/ kittens and 5yrs old for dogs.
This is truly the most fun way to channel your youths’ desire to volunteer - and it can be done from your own home.
Motley Zoo, by definition is a diverse group of people from different backgrounds and beliefs - all unified around the mission of saving the lives of animals in need. We appreciate, encourage and embrace diversity, equality and differences, believing that it makes for the most balanced and cohesive culture - which in turn, allows us to fulfill our mission to the best of our ability.