About Us

RescueGroups.org is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides free and low-cost technology services to the animal welfare community. RescueGroups.org is an unaffiliated, volunteer-driven, non-competitive organization that wants to work with like-minded organizations to help animal welfare organizations, volunteers and pets.

Our Mission and Values:

• We believe that animal's lives are valuable and should be cherished
• We believe that people should be educated about the impact of animal overpopulation
• We believe that animal rescue work is important
• We believe that spay/neuter is integral to ending the animal overpopulation problem
• We believe that effective collaboration is essential to ending the animal overpopulation problem
• We believe that technology can increase the effectiveness of people's work and reach their goals more easily
• We believe that animal organizations should have access to cost-effective technology solutions
• We believe that people's time is valuable

Our Board

Ms. Myra Hall

Myra is a Certified Public Accountant working as a sole practitioner. Myra and her husband Michael reside in Silver Spring, MD where the Oliver-Hall household/zoo currently includes three dogs, three cats and a bird (that barks).

Mr. Joshua Jeffries

Joshua is the founder of IHR Advisors, Inc. which focuses on a holistic solution to client needs in the areas of human resources, employee benefits and technology. He is currently an active board member for the Montgomery County Society for Human Resource Management and the Rotary of Potomac in addition to RescueGroups.org. Joshua is also a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade (BOT) and The University Club DC where he sits on the Sports Committee. Josh currently resides in the Willows of Potomac community with his wife Golda, their wonderful rescue dog Cosmo and rescued cat Oreo.

Ms. Linda Junkins

Linda Junkins began her involvement with animal rescue in 1995 after becoming a volunteer for Howard County Animal Control in Columbia MD. In 2001, she became a part-time employee there. She also took on the job of Volunteer Coordinator at the Howard County facility from 1999-2001 where she helped put together the new volunteer program and assisted with writing the volunteer manual and conducted orientations and trainings for new volunteers. Linda was a member of Animal Advocates of Howard County from 1994-2004 and served as the Vice-President from 1998-2004. As a member of the Howard County Animal Matters Hearing Board from 1996-2001, Linda helped to mediate animal-related issues involving the citizens of Howard County. She was the Vice-Chair of this Board from 1997-1998. Linda currently serves as the Vice-Chairperson on CAWAC (Companion Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) for Frederick County, MD.

Her main job and focus has been serving as the Executive Director of Tails of Hope since August 2000. Tails of Hope has rescued and placed over 1860 animals as well as implemented a spay/neuter program "Spay Today", and a variety of educational programs for children including a Dog Bite Prevention class. Linda and her husband, Stewart, share their home with six dogs...Barnaby, Sparks, Milo, Tucker, Iris and Topsy!

Mr. Steve Miller

Steve is a technical lead/senior software engineer living in Maryland. Steve holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Maryland at College Park and is pursuing an MBA from University of Maryland University College. Steve is married and has 2 dogs (Merle and Shadow).

Ms. Kristin Stawarz

Kristin Stawarz is a long-time animal advocate, having years of volunteer experience in animal shelters and with rescues. She's also worked for the national nonprofit The Humane Society of the United States. She has two dogs - both under 12 pounds, named Sophie and Jake. She also has twin boys and is getting used to a very busy household! Kristin also works hard to help all animals by leading a compassionate lifestyle of leaving meat and dairy off her plate. Animals became her life work after spending years as a television news reporter. She joined RescueGroups.org in 2008 as a board member.