About Us
Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland is a 501 (c)(3), volunteer run organization established in April 2020 with the mission of providing the animals taken in by Cleveland Animal Care and Control (CACC) with medical care and enrichment during their time at the kennel, preparing them for adoption into loving homes, and creating opportunities for potential adopters to get to know them as the great family members they were meant to be. Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland is CACC’s primary fundraising partner.
OUR MISSION
To provide financial assistance for the animals at Cleveland Animal Care and Control, which includes daily enrichment opportunities, medical care, and supporting the CITY DOGS adoption and volunteer programs.
OUR VISION
Enriching, improving, and advocating for the lives of Cleveland's homeless dogs as they navigate their journey to a better life.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michelle deBock, President
Robert Heffner, Treasurer
Shelby Brooks, Director of Marketing
Beth Heffner, Director of Events & Financing
Val Gesting, Director of Finance
About The Board
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock has been a teacher in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District for over 20 years. Looking for something to keep her busy during her summer break, she began volunteering with CITY DOGS in May of 2018. At the time, she had no idea how much she would fall in love with the dogs and how much this program would become a part of her life! When Michelle is not traveling or spending time with her own dogs, you can typically find her walking the dogs at Cleveland Animal Care and Control or taking them to one of the many parks in the Cleveland area for a day trip.
Robert Heffner Treasurer
Michelle deBock President
Michelle deBock President
I started out as a volunteer for City Dogs by walking dogs with my wife Beth. We then became more involved with events, transports, hikes, and run group. Working with the City Dogs group has changed our lives In many ways but most importantly with the addition of our very own City Dog, Gemma.
Shelby Brooks Director of Marketing + Merchandising
Beth Heffner Director of Fundraising + Events
Beth Heffner Director of Fundraising + Events
My name is Shelby, I’m the Marketing/Merchandising Chair. Professionally, I graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelors in Health Sciences and a Masters in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. I am currently working as a Speech Language Pathologist at a local Rehabilitation Hospital. I have 6+ years experience in merch
My name is Shelby, I’m the Marketing/Merchandising Chair. Professionally, I graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelors in Health Sciences and a Masters in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. I am currently working as a Speech Language Pathologist at a local Rehabilitation Hospital. I have 6+ years experience in merchandising in retail stores in the Cleveland area. But first and foremost, I am a dog lover! I grew up with a house full of rescue dogs and cats, along with some exotic pets like parrots and hedgehogs. I have always been an animal lover through and through and was raised to treat animals with the utmost respect. In my graduate studies, I stumbled across City Dogs at an event and was immediately hooked. I started volunteering with City Dogs in June of 2017 and have found a major passion for these dogs. I dabble in a little bit of everything as a volunteer at City Dogs. I walk at the kennel, run dogs on the weekend, organize and participate in monthly hikes, take dogs on day trips and sleepovers, I’m an adoption counselor, and I provide a foster home for dogs who are struggling in the kennel environment. I love finding new ways to support the wonderful dogs that find themselves at CACC and am excited to take on this role with Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland!
Beth Heffner Director of Fundraising + Events
Beth Heffner Director of Fundraising + Events
Beth Heffner Director of Fundraising + Events
My volunteering journey with CITY DOGS Cleveland began in 2015 after reading a post on Facebook that the Cleveland Kennel needed dog walkers. What began as a way to get a few dogs out for some exercise has turned into something I could never have imagined. Walking dogs, coordinating, working events around town, running through the woods
My volunteering journey with CITY DOGS Cleveland began in 2015 after reading a post on Facebook that the Cleveland Kennel needed dog walkers. What began as a way to get a few dogs out for some exercise has turned into something I could never have imagined. Walking dogs, coordinating, working events around town, running through the woods in the middle of the night to raise awareness and money for the dogs, stuffing raffle baskets for fundraisers, and transporting our beloved CITY DOGS from Colorado to Maine in search of their forever homes. Volunteering has allowed me to meet and fall in love with so many Cleveland dogs...including my very own sweet rescued girl, Gemma.
Valerie Gesting Director of Finance
Beth Heffner Director of Fundraising + Events
Valerie Gesting Director of Finance
Valerie is a CPA who recently retired with more than 30 years of audit, information security, and risk management experience in the financial services and retail sectors. She has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Miami University and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati. Valerie has been a City Dogs volu
Valerie is a CPA who recently retired with more than 30 years of audit, information security, and risk management experience in the financial services and retail sectors. She has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Miami University and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Cincinnati. Valerie has been a City Dogs volunteer since July 2019 and enjoys bicycling, kayaking, baking and crafting for City Dogs, and collecting cookbooks. She lives with her husband, Dan, who is also a City Dogs volunteer, and her City Dog Scout.