Our Mission

ACAF’s mission is for animals to experience a life of respect and be free from unnecessary suffering. Our objective is to offer pet owners in financial crisis an alternative to euthanasia when their pet faces a treatable, yet life-threatening condition. Companion pets are vital members of the family… we want to restore the quality of life for pets as well as their owners.

Organizational Goals

Current Goals:
  • Develop an Animal Emergency Assistance Fund
  • Establish a Blood Bank for Animals - "Pets Giving Pets the Gift of Life"
  • Create a post-graduate Veterinary Internship Program
Future Goals:
  • Support Humane Research and Clinical Studies to control diseases and benefit long-term welfare of animals.
  • Establish an Ambulatory Care Service for animals


Board of Directors

Animal Care and Assistance Fund (ACAF) is governed as a single, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization by a volunteer Board of Directors, and is managed from its offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Because the Fund is organized as a single organization rather than as separate local legal entities, ultimate responsibility for the operation of ACAF lies with its Board of Directors.  Although the Board of Directors cannot delegate its broad legal and fiduciary responsibilities, it does delegate responsibility for day-to-day operations to the president and chief executive officer, who in turn delegates responsibilities to his management team.


Founding Board Members and Officers of ACAF


Dr. Kenton D. Rexford — Board Chair 

Partner, Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC)

Jamie Sarris — Board Vice Chair 

Co-Owner Sarris Candy

 

Dr. Robert Meeder 

President, Pittsburgh Gateways Corp.

 

Sally Wiggin

Network news anchor for the local ABC Affiliate, WTAE

 

Lisa Dauer

Attorney/Partner with Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote

 

Charles and Laura Aftosmis

Real Estate Developers

 

Celeste Kopf

Litigation Paralegal with Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. and Animal Advocate

 

Victoria Berdnik

Real Estate Coordinator, Lamar Advertising

 

Officers 

Kenton Rexford, President

 

Robert Meeder, Vice President

 

John Bozic, Secretary and Treasurer

Vice President, Pittsburgh Gateways Corp.

 

Program Director

 

Michele Bozic

412-348-2588