Primary Responsibilities: Volunteer & Network Coordination Director, Board Member

I was born in Cobourg, Ontario, and raised in a family of animal lovers with dogs and cats everywhere. My love for animals started early – my mother tells the story of our German Shepherd “Kim” babysitting me as an infant, sitting for hours beside my pram on the front lawn.

After 25 years serving as a Resource Management Support specialist in the Canadian Armed Forces, my husband Dan and I retired and eventually made our way to the beautiful Silver Coast of Portugal with our dog Barkley.

Since arriving in Caldas da Rainha, I’ve dedicated myself to helping animals in need. I started volunteering at CRAPAA (Caldas da Rainha Association for the Protection of Abandoned Animals) and later worked at the “O Amigo Fiel” shelter in Bombarral. Currently, I volunteer exclusively at CRAPAA, where I’m happiest wearing my rubber boots, scrubbing kennels, and caring for wonderful animals.

I’m looking forward to joining the Maureen Gray Foundation as a board member, where I can apply my experience in rescue and shelter care to help even more animals.