ABOUT SOUTHERN PAWS INC
Southern Paws Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit dog rescue based in Northern New Jersey. We collaborate with fellow rescues to rehome dogs facing euthanasia due to overpopulation. Additionally, we offer education, training, low cost spay and neuter, networking, disaster relief response, and shelter crisis management to support other animal organizations in their rescue endeavors. Our mission is to advocate for the voiceless and offer hope to the hopeless, guided by our motto: "Teamwork makes the Dream work."
A LEGACY OF LOVE FOR EVERY PAW
At Southern Paws Inc., we are committed to providing a nurturing environment for every dog we rescue. We believe in the importance of love, compassion, and proper care for our furry friends.
Meet the Team
At Southern Paws, our dedicated team is passionate about giving every dog a chance at a loving forever home. From organizing adoptions to running donation drives, each team member brings unique skills, experience, and heart to our mission.
Ashley Gardenier
Founder & Director
Ashley Gardenier, Founder and Director of Southern Paws, Inc., has dedicated over 14 years to animal rescue, saving thousands of lives through her compassion, education, and advocacy. A certified dog trainer and animal disaster relief responder, Ashley combines hands-on rescue, behavior training, and education at the Southern Paws Training and Education Center to help dogs thrive and support their humans. What began as a love for animals has become her lifelong mission: giving every dog the care, respect, and second chances they deserve.
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Shannon Rodenberg
Assistant Director
Shannon, a lifelong dog lover with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience, serves as Assistant Director of Southern Paws Inc., overseeing the foster program and having opened her home to over 150 foster dogs, many with special needs or medical complexities. Her work inspired Griffin’s Legacy: Raising Baby Sharks, a program honoring terminally ill puppies, as well as the children’s book series Raising Baby Sharks. A full-time teacher, Shannon also leads educational school visits, blending her passion for rescue with her professional life to inspire the next generation of animal advocates. At home, she shares her life with three special needs dogs—Casper, Zalia, and Tigger—who reflect her dedication to dogs who need compassion the most.
Gina Perez
Adoption Coordinator
Gina Perez has been with Southern Paws since 2020 as Adoption Coordinator, guiding puppies and their families toward successful, lasting placements by carefully matching dogs to each household’s lifestyle and needs. With extensive hands-on experience with dogs since 2007—including training, socialization, grooming, and boarding—and certifications in dog training, animal first aid, and animal control, Gina combines practical expertise with formal knowledge. Based in Sloatsburg, NY, she shares her home with her dog Harriman, a lively flock of chickens, and her human family, bringing personal insight into canine behavior and care to every adoption she supports.
Dawn Colon
Adoption Coordinator
Dawn Colon began fostering with Southern Paws in 2017, embracing the heartbreak that can come with it to give animals a chance to heal and feel loved. Her passion led her to become an adoption coordinator, helping match deserving dogs with their perfect forever families—a role she shares with her daughter. Dawn continues to foster while guiding adoptions, finding profound reward in supporting both animals and the people who will love them for a lifetime.
Jess Groff
Development & Communications Manager
Jess Groff serves as Development & Communications Manager at Southern Paws, bringing expertise in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and storytelling to strengthen community engagement and donor trust. She builds sustainable fundraising systems, secures grants and sponsorships, and creates communications that highlight the rescue’s impact. A longtime supporter of Southern Paws, Jess adopted her dog Abby through the organization nearly eight years ago, and she lives in New Jersey with her husband, twin daughters, and rescue pup, continuing to give back to the rescue that shaped her family.
Emily Fitterman
Board President
Emily Fitterman, Board President of Southern Paws, leads with heart, grit, and hands-on service—participating in adoption events, transports, and fostering dogs in need. By day, she is an Art Director for a B2B publishing company, guiding a team with the same calm leadership she brings to rescue work. A devoted mother of three, Emily instills service and compassion as family values, inspiring her daughter to volunteer alongside her, all while demonstrating that showing up for others—two- or four-legged—is always worth the effort.
Julia Bliss
Board Secretary
Julia Bliss serves as Secretary of the Board for Southern Paws, bringing 15 years of experience as a critical care veterinary technician and 14 years of military service in the Army and Navy. Her background in emergency medicine, leadership, administration, and accountability supports effective nonprofit governance. A lifelong animal lover and proud mother of two, Julia helps maintain clear communication, accurate records, and organizational integrity in support of Southern Paws’ mission.