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About Us
Mission
PUPP (Partners United for People and Pets) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and our mission is to promote the general health and well-being of underserved individuals through the provision of pet care assistance. Our goal is to advance wellness by maintaining and strengthening the bonds between these individuals and their animal companions.
Essentially, PUPP will help individuals care for their pets when physical or financial barriers prevent them from doing so on their own.
Board of Directors
Janine Annett brings seven years of experience in nonprofit fundraising to PUPP’s Board. In addition to her professional nonprofit experience, she also volunteers with numerous organizations. Ms. Annett is incredibly dedicated to animal welfare, and she spends much of her spare time finding homes for homeless pets. She has her own website about men and cats and she is constantly working to bring volunteers and/or donors to nonprofit organizations. Ms. Annett was attracted to PUPP’s Board because she loves helping both animals and people, and she understands the joy that pets can bring to people, especially in times of duress. Ms. Annett’s favorite animals include dogs, cats, bees, cows, alpacas and giant squid! Ms. Annett has two cats, brothers Charley and Thurston. Thurston is a tabby who is attached to Janine while tuxedo Charley prefers her husband. Ms. Annett received her B.A. in English from Barnard College.
Ann Cohen is a nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience in development, communications, and management. She worked for the University of Pennsylvania, raising money for the first successful $1 billion capital campaign in higher education, spent ten years as director of development and communications for a medical research institute, and was vice president of development and communications at Bideawee, one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the country, for five years. During her tenure at Bideawee, she also served as acting CEO for a year. Ms. Cohen currently runs her own consulting business, providing a variety of services to nonprofit organizations. Ms. Cohen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a life-long animal lover, though her current pet, a horse, can't fit in her New York apartment.
Oriyan Gitig, Esq. is a senior associate in the Advertising; Entertainment; Intellectual Property and Technology, Digital Media & Privacy practice groups at Davis & Gilbert, LLP. In addition to Ms. Gitig's experience as an attorney, Ms. Gitig is actively involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of homeless and other in-need animals. Ms. Gitig has loved all animals since a very young age and believes that PUPP's mission fills an oft-overlooked need for people and their pets. In 2007, Ms. Gitig and her husband adopted their cat Sarge from Bideawee, who has since become a prominent and pampered member of their family. Ms. Gitig received her B.A in International Relations from Tufts University and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Rachel Herman, President, works as Major Gifts Manager for the ASPCA. Ms. Herman has gained extensive experience in development and fundraising while working at a variety of nonprofit organizations. As founder of PUPP, Ms. Herman brings her vision to the Board as well as her passion for protecting the welfare of animals. Ms. Herman has two cats, Wylee and Milo. Wylee, whom she adopted from the ASPCA in 2004, enjoys playing soccer and fetch, and he does not enjoy sharing Ms. Herman with others. Milo is a stray cat Ms. Herman rescued off the street in Brooklyn, and despite her initial decision to find him a home, hasn't parted with him since. Ms. Herman received her B.A in Political Science with a minor in Crime and Justice from the University of Michigan and her Master of Public Administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where she specialized in Nonprofit Management and Policy.
JR Hernandez brings an expertise in financial management to the PUPP Board. Mr. Hernandez has an extensive background in corporate finance and asset management, with over five years experience in investment banking and both public and private equity investing. In addition to his finance background, Mr. Hernandez is fluent in four languages, including Spanish, French and Italian. As a child, Mr. Hernandez had a cat named Mishu, a cocker spaniel named Pepe, and two parakeets named Pee Wee Herman and Tina Turner. Mr. Hernandez received a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he specialized in Finance and Global Analysis.
Joey Hogue, Secretary, is the Associate Director of Development for Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center and brings eight years of fundraising and strategic planning experience to the PUPP Board, which includes time at the New York Public Library. Ms. Hogue loves animals and believes PUPP's mission is wonderful because it is helping both animals and people in need. While Ms. Hogue does not currently have any pets, there is a very special place in her heart for the animals that have come into her life, especially Scarlett, her cocker spaniel; she was not only a wonderful dog but a good friend. Ms. Hogue received her B.A. from Marymount of Fordham University and a Master of Public Administration from NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.