Volunteer Profiles - Nancie Newby: Creating a Community of Compassion—One Animal at a Time

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation exists to support the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter through fundraising, education, and advocacy. The Foundation helps ensure that vital services—such as animal control, licensing and vaccinations, emergency sheltering, and intervention in abuse cases—remain strong and sustainable. But its vision goes far deeper: to tackle the root causes of animal overpopulation and suffering through prevention programs, high-quality medical care, humane education, and community outreach.

Last year alone, the Shelter served over 8,000 animals and over 22,000 people. “We do this work because we care about the County’s most vulnerable animals and want every animal to feel safe, healthy, and loved,” the team shares. “But we’re also helping their humans—spreading a message of kindness and empathy through transformational relationships with animals.”

As a supporter of a socially-conscious shelter, the Foundation’s ultimate aim is to help create a Santa Cruz County community that values compassion—not only for animals but for each other.

Why It Matters

The Foundation’s work impacts every resident and visitor in Santa Cruz County. By strengthening the Shelter’s capacity, it amplifies efforts that support public safety, emergency response, and animal well-being. Through ongoing fundraising, advocacy, and education, the Foundation helps the Shelter go beyond the basics—creating a safety net for animals and a ripple effect of care throughout the community.

Volunteers Make It Possible

With only one paid staff member, the Foundation is a volunteer-powered organization. Its Board of Directors is entirely volunteer-led, and the Shelter itself depends on more than 450 volunteers to keep its operations running smoothly.

From walking dogs and socializing cats to folding laundry, fostering animals, and launching public campaigns, volunteers show up in every corner of the Shelter’s work. Together, they logged nearly 25,000 hours last year—making it clear that neither the Foundation nor the Shelter could thrive without them.

“Volunteers aren’t just helpers,” the team says. “They’re ambassadors of kindness and compassion out in the community.”

Honoring Nancie Newby: A Volunteer Force of Nature

Among the Foundation’s dedicated volunteers, one name rises again and again: Nancie Newby.

The Foundation’s Board first met Nancie in 2018, but she had already been deeply involved with the Shelter for years—volunteering in nearly every capacity imaginable. From providing direct care to dogs and mentoring fellow volunteers, to managing the Shelter’s social media and eventually becoming the Foundation’s Treasurer, Nancie’s contribution is nothing short of remarkable.

“She took on the Treasurer role—a huge responsibility on its own—while continuing to lead Foundation events, coordinate logistics, secure partnerships, and yes, even make sure the animals made a cameo at our fundraisers,” said a fellow board member. “And somehow she does it all with grace, organization, and a genuinely joyful spirit.”

Whether handling finances or handling dogs, Nancie is known for her calm presence, exceptional work ethic, and radiant kindness. “She manages to be fully present with each person and each animal, even when things get tough,” the team adds. “She’s passionate and humble—a rare combination—and we are lucky to have her representing our work in the community.”

In Her Own Words: Why Nancie Volunteers

“I love animals and believe everyone should have one,” Nancie says.
“The unconditional love from a pet is the most amazing feeling—good for the heart, soul, and mental status.”

Though there wasn’t a single defining moment that led her to volunteer, Nancie recalls how the idea started with her husband. “I wanted to adopt another dog, but my husband convinced me we didn’t have the space or time for one more. He suggested we volunteer together at the Shelter so I could fill my heart.”

It worked.

Today, Nancie remains deeply motivated by the dogs she supports—and the inspiring people she serves alongside. “I come for the dogs and stay for the people,” she says.

When asked what mark she hopes to leave on the world, Nancie’s answer is simple and powerful:

“I would love to change the world by having people’s first thought be to adopt rather than buy when they want a pet. And I hope my mark would be to inspire other people to volunteer.”