Barbara founded LapCats in 2005, but her passion for animals began long before that. Growing up as an only child, animals were always a source of comfort and companionship. Her parents were both devoted animal lovers who instilled that love in her from an early age — though they often shook their heads at her extreme dedication, saying "you can't save them all." Barbara always lived by a different belief: for every one she did save, it would change their world forever.

As a college student in San Diego, she spent her own money rescuing stray cats on the jetty for over 10 years — feeding them and getting them spayed and neutered. That dedication never wavered.

During an eight-year chapter in New Mexico, Barbara channeled her love for animals into rescuing dogs, as the cat overpopulation there was so overwhelming that visiting shelters became emotionally impossible. When she returned to Sacramento, she made a brave decision — to face the heartbreak of shelter work head-on, knowing that the only way to save lives was to show up, even when it hurt.

That courage led to the founding of LapCats, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to saving one cat at a time through education and community support. Barbara and her husband raised their three children in Sacramento, and from an early age the kids were an integral part of her rescue work — learning firsthand the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect, and why every pet should be spayed or neutered and adopted, never purchased from a breeder.

Over 20 years later, Barbara continues to lead the organization with the same passion that started it all.

Leslie has been a cornerstone of LapCats since 2010. While her official board title is Secretary, that barely scratches the surface of what she does. Leslie is the definition of a jack of all trades — she never says no to a task and never runs out of energy to get things done.

Over the years Leslie has worn many hats. As an Emergency Foster, she opens her home to cats in need at a moment's notice. She is the creative force behind LapCats' beloved Paint Your Pet events, having organized over 20 of these popular fundraisers throughout the years. Every Christmas she brings joy and raises critical funds through the organization's Santa fundraisers, coordinating every detail to make them a success.

Behind the scenes Leslie keeps the LapCats machine running smoothly — maintaining an organized storage container of donated items, transporting cages, tables, and supplies to offsite adoption events, and always looking for new and creative ways to raise funds for the cats.

To Barbara, Leslie is more than a board member — she is a constant supporter, a trusted right hand, and the sister she never had. LapCats would not be what it is today without Leslie's tireless dedication and her generous, never-quit spirit.

Glen's support of LapCats actually predates the organization itself — it began the moment he met Barbara. While they were still dating, he was already showing up for her passion. As a construction professional, he laid concrete at the San Diego Humane Society where Barbara volunteered, and when the Army Corps of Engineers launched a major project on the jetty that threatened the lives of over 45 cats, Glen worked alongside Barbara day and night — tirelessly tracking, removing, and transporting every single cat to safety. He then built a cattery where those cats lived out the rest of their lives in comfort and safety. And that was all in just the first year of their marriage!

Over the more than 30 years since they married in 1993, Glen has been Barbara's steadfast partner in every sense of the word. He has always understood the burning passion inside her and would never want to take that away — even during the times that dedication has tested them. His belief in her mission and vision never wavered.

When it came time to build the LapCats board, Barbara knew she needed people she could trust completely — people who truly believed in what LapCats stands for. Glen was a natural choice.

A retired Fire Captain, Glen brings leadership, dedication, and a lifetime of service to the LapCats team.