About

About

MaeDay Rescue was founded by Natalie Garcia in 2010 and became a non-profit 501c3 in 2013. MaeDay saves dogs and cats from Los Angeles shelters, the streets, and we also take in owner surrenders. We are solely based in Los Angeles and are not affiliated with any other organizations.

We are 100% foster based which means no more shelters for our rescues. All MaeDay animals are housed in their Foster's homes until the perfect forever homes are found. All medical expenses, spay and neuter costs, and supplies are covered by MaeDay while the animals wait to be adopted. 

Education and pet care is a priority. MaeDay also holds annual spay/neuter clinics in Mexico and offers local animal services to impoverished communities. 

Natalie has a soft spot for senior dogs and her favorite breed is a classic mutt! 
video courtesy of Dot 429

Meet The MaeDay Board of Directors

Natalie Garcia

Founder and President

Natalie Garcia founded MaeDay Rescue in 2010 after her beloved dog, Maggie Mae was killed in a car accident. At the time Natalie was building her career as a TV host and on air talent. But after the accident, she dedicated all of her time to fostering - to honor the memory of Maggie Mae.


Natalie also started our sister store, MaeDay Outpost, located on the edge of Silverlake, with her wife Maria. Natalie currently has 3 dogs, one very mischievous cat, and a constant flow of fosters. 

Rachel Drudi

Chairman

After making a New Years resolution to “hang out with more dogs,” Rachel started fostering with MaeDay Rescue in March of 2017. After the first rewarding experience of foster Whiskey she was hooked and immediately took on the job of fostering the now tri-pod, Wilma, during her recovery from a leg amputation. While continuing to foster for the next few years, she also helped organize the Stay and Spay trips to Baja, MX in 2018 and 2019 where over 150 pets were fixed and vaccinated by talented vets with the help of amazing volunteers from all over. She now serves as the Chairman of the Board and is passionate about continuing to bring affordable spay/neuter and vaccines to pets and owners with less financial means. She enjoys relaxing on her patio with her senior dog and a cocktail. 

Tara Martino

Vice President

After the tragic & sudden passing of her previous rescue dog in 2017, Tara vowed to get more actively involved in rescue to honor her beloved pup Manny. Since she had been admiring the work that Maeday did, she began to help with fundraising & fostering to heal her heart. She has now fostered over 30 dogs and currently serves as the Vice President of Maeday. Tara is very involved in the day-to-day operations of the rescue including medical care/vet appointments, adoptions, and liaising with various shelters to help more dogs in need. 


Even though she’s had some challenging cases, she adores fostering and thinks it is such a beautiful & rewarding experience. Gatsby (2018) and Parker (2020 - @parkerthestreetdog) are two of her favorite foster transformation stories - she saw them change so much & loved being a meaningful part of their journeys. When she’s not helping dogs, Tara works full-time in the entertainment industry and loves traveling with her dog Hamilton (who you may recognize as a long-time Maeday foster bro - He’s perfectly patient and loves fostering just as much as his mom!).


Gem Aggabao

Treasurer

Gem is one of Maeday's OG fosters having fostered 60+ dogs since 2015. She adopted her dogs Lorenzo (RIP) and Carl from Maeday. Adopting her second dog Lorenzo started her journey in fostering. On top of her day job, she also volunteers her time as Maeday's Treasurer, shelter liaison, foster/adoption coordinator and also helps with social media postings.

Gem grew up in the Philippines and moved to the US in 2003. Her family had dogs growing up but their dogs lived outdoors. Spaying and neutering were things she wasn't familiar with. In fact she was very scared of dogs after her older sister was attacked by their neighbor's dog when they were kids. After moving to the US and watching every possible show involving dogs, she decided it was time to conquer her fear. In 2014, she and her husband fostered and adopted their first dog. It was through this experience that she became more passionate about saving dogs through fostering and educating people about the importance of fixing your pets and adopting vs. buying.

Emily Bronkesh-Buchbinder 

Secretary

Emily started volunteering with MaeDay in 2017 and has since fostered dozens of dogs, several of whom felt like "the one that got away." Despite a preference for non-shedding dogs, Emily finally found a soulmate in Alfie, who sheds a lot, and she has convinced several of her close friends to adopt MaeDay cats and dogs as well. Now her couch is covered in wiry white hairs, her social circle is filled with MaeDay alumni, and her days are spent in zoom meetings where her coworkers are used to the sound of dogs barking in the background. 


In addition to serving as secretary on the MaeDay board, Emily is a marketing director at Emerson Collective, a social change organization. 

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