Alyson is the current president of the Alliance. She joined the board in 2020, and jumped at the chance to become more involved in animal welfare.

As a life long animal lover, Alyson has always been passionate about the importance of “adopt, don’t shop.” Her fur family has included many shelter cats and dogs that have provided her so much selfless love, comfort and support. 

Alyson is excited about the many new initiatives the Alliance has planned; to partner with the community and enrich the lives of the East Orange shelter pets. 

She currently resides in South Orange with her husband, two children, and beloved dogs, Remmy and Tater Tot.

Marcela first learned about the East Orange shelter in 2019. The shelter was full and she was asked to photograph the dogs to help them find homes. During that visit she learned that the shelter had amazing people working on their behalf but they did not have the network to help them. Marcela wanted to be part of that change.

For the Alliance, Marcela takes photos, arranges vet appointments, & coordinates with rescue partners for the cats and dogs. Marcela is also the liaison between some of the caretakers of community cats, EOAA and the shelter.

Marcela lives in Brielle, NJ with her husband; dogs, Rosie and Leah; cat, Sammie; and a foster cat named Nadja.

Lauri is the Secretary and one of the founding board members of EOAA.  An animal lover her whole life, she volunteered in a pet store back in her NYC days, and more recently at the former Jersey Animal Coalition in South Orange.  Lauri has made numerous trips to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah to volunteer and learn.  She has brought her learning to her job as a Preschool Teacher where she began a humane education program and runs an “animal room” which has been home to guinea pigs, mice, a hamster and a rabbit.  Lauri joined with the other founding members to create EOAA after managing a fundraiser to purchase a washer and dryer for the East Orange shelter.  Lauri and her husband Jeff are parents to two young adult children and two rescue dogs.

Lauren is one of the founding board members of EOAA. After working with AJ Albrecht (founding president) & Lauri Rothstein (Secretary) in the SOMA for Animals advocacy group, Lauren joined EOAA to continue the work for local communities and its animals.

In 2020, Lauren relocated from Maplewood to Boulder, CO with her husband and two kids – Liam (8) and Madeleine (5). From afar, Lauren works remotely with our growing volunteer base to coordinate Food Pantry deliveries, shelter animal transports and Boredom Buster enrichments. If you’ve made a donation, chances are you’ve received one of her Thank You notes, as well!

In her down time Lauren enjoys snowboarding, hiking, riding the Peloton and training her 6 month old pup, Koda.