Meet Our Team
The dedicated hearts and hands behind Cross Our Paws Rescue.
Meet the People Behind the Paws
Our team is made up of dedicated volunteers who share a common love for animals and a commitment to giving every rescue the best chance at a happy life.
Michelle
Executive Director
Michelle joined Cross Our Paws Rescue in 2015 and stepped into the Executive Director role in 2023 with the support of founder Bonnie Graham. Deeply committed to animal welfare, she is driven by the belief that every at‑risk animal deserves compassion, patience, and the chance to thrive in a loving home. Michelle finds joy in working alongside foster families, volunteers, veterinarians, donors, and community partners; people who inspire her daily with their dedication. She is especially passionate about building sustainable capacity and strong standards of care, ensuring that every animal receives the protection, dignity, and future they deserve.
Vicki
Director
Vicki has shared her life with animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up surrounded by them taught her early lessons in joy, loyalty, and responsibility, particularly in caring for dogs with special needs. This lifelong bond, combined with a deep connection to the values of Cross Our Paws Rescue, inspired Vicki to become a volunteer. Through her work with the rescue, she is proud to support the mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals in need. Vicki firmly believes that every animal has a person and nothing brings her more gratitude than seeing a deserving animal find their forever home.
Natalie
Volunteer Coordinator
Natalie's passion for animal welfare grew through her experience fostering cats with the organization. Having always shared her life with animals, she felt a natural pull to become more deeply involved after seeing firsthand the impact foster care can have on vulnerable animals. Professionally, Natalie is a social service professional with strong community connections, bringing a people-centred and collaborative approach to her work. Joining the Cross Our Paws Rescue board felt like a natural next step, allowing her to combine her lifelong love for animals with her commitment to community support, advocacy, and building compassionate systems of care for all animals in need.
Kyla
Director
Kyla's dedication to animal welfare is evident in every aspect of her life. Based on Vancouver Island, she works at a dog care facility and has completed her Veterinary Technician Assistant course, combining professional training with hands-on experience. Kyla shares her home with three rescue cats, loves hiking with dogs, and provides in-home pet sitting to support pet families. Passionate about expanding Cross Our Paws Rescue's reach, she is committed to strengthening animal welfare supports on the Island so more animals can receive the care, compassion, and second chances they deserve.
Join Our Team
We're always looking for passionate individuals to join our mission. Whether you want to volunteer, foster, or support in other ways, there's a place for you at Cross Our Paws Rescue.