A Safe Place for as Long as It Takes
We are a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) no-kill sanctuary. For 25 years, Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary has rescued and rehabilitated homeless cats and dogs, giving every animal the care and time they need to find a lovingfamily—a mission sustained by compassionate leadership, transparency, and sound financial management.
The FAS Story
Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary began in 2001, when local residents Janet LuCore and Monte Thompson opened their home to pets left without care as military personnel from nearby Camp Pendleton were deployed following September 11.
That compassionate response grew into a trusted, 100% volunteer-run sanctuary. FAS has rescued more than 7,000 cats and dogs, providing shelter, medical care, rehabilitation, and a safe place for as long as each animal needs. Today, FAS places more than 600 pets a year.
Our work also reaches beyond rescue. Through our partnership with SNAP, we help bring affordable spay/neuter services to Fallbrook—preventing unwanted litters and reducing animal homelessness throughout our community.
Meet the Board of Directors
Our volunteer Board of Directors protects FAS’s mission, oversees its financial resources, and plans for the sanctuary’s future. Every board member supports the mission through time, expertise, and financial participation. Board members receive no compensation.
John Daly
President
I am a retired physician and clinical professor emeritus at UCSD and I moved to Fallbrook with my wife Fiona in 2013 as our retirement move and started our own small farm animal rescue. In addition to my medical career, I have been involved in the care of animals my entire life and worked as a zookeeper in Albuquerque, New Mexico at age 19 and 20.
I joined the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary board in 2021 and became board president in 2023. My medical background has been an asset during my tenure at FAS from the standpoint of decision making concerning the health and welfare of the animals under our care and I have also served as medical director to our medical staff.
Julia Routh
Treasurer
As a small business owner, I specialize in helping individuals and families build financial security by ensuring they don’t outlive their money. I help create personalized wealth management strategies tailored to each client’s unique goals, combining long-term planning with practical guidance.
Beyond my professional work, I am deeply committed to the Fallbrook community. I actively serve as an Ambassador for the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce, supporting local businesses and fostering strong community connections.
I have served on the Board of Directors for the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary since 2018, currently holding the role of Treasurer. In this position, I bring financial oversight and passion for the organization’s mission to support and care for animals in need.
Nancy Cech
Secretary
Nancy Cech brings more than 25 years of marketing and business leadership experience at Fortune 100 companies, including Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo, where she led national campaigns, launched new products and managed large-scale initiatives.
After several years as a hands-on volunteer, Nancy joined the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary board in late 2025 and currently serves as Secretary. She is also a co-founder of AnimalKind, a veterinarian-led nonprofit focused on Trap-Neuter-Return and spay/neuter programs.
At FAS, Nancy combines her business expertise with her passion for animal welfare—strengthening the organization, expanding its community presence and helping ensure resources have the greatest possible impact for animals in need.
Vicki Caldwell
Canine Director
Vicki Caldwell has been a dedicated volunteer with Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary since 2015 and has served as a Board Member since 2017. She has the most critical leadership role within the organization, overseeing daily facility operations, coordinating volunteers, and helping ensure the sanctuary consistently maintains a high standard of care.
Her value as a board member comes from her deep operational involvement and firsthand understanding of the sanctuary’s day-to-day needs, challenges, and priorities. Vicki brings practical insight, accountability, and strong institutional knowledge to board decisions and long-term planning.
Vicki oversees animal care operations, intake decisions, volunteer coordination, behavioral assessments, and adoption placement decisions, helping ensure successful outcomes for both animals and adopters.
Saffron-Micaela Camacho
Feline Director
Micaela brings extensive operational, organizational, and leadership experience to the Board of Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary, where she has served since 2025. She also serves as Feline Director, overseeing the care and well-being of the sanctuary’s cats and kittens.
Professionally, she has served as President and Owner of The Pace Organization, Inc. since 2015 and as Trustee of the L.D. Trust since 2007, overseeing complex operations, strategic planning, budgeting, staff development, and significant assets.
Mic has also dedicated many years to volunteer service with youth sports, military family support programs, women’s advocacy organizations, and animal welfare organizations, including the Hawaiian Humane Society and Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter. At FAS, she fosters cats and kittens and leads adoption events that connect animals with loving homes.
Her operational leadership, financial oversight, volunteer management, and hands-on rescue experience bring compassion and organizational strength to the sanctuary’s mission and long-term planning.
Karen Estes
Karen is a retired property and casualty insurance agent after servicing her clients for 40 years working for various firms as a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and served on the Board of Directors for Southwest Community Bank for 11 years. Karen is a real estate investor and actively manages her properties.
Additionally, Karen is a Past President of AAUW - Fallbrook branch and Past President of the Rotary Club of Bonsall and a past Board member of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce.
Karen has been on the FAS Board of Directors since 2011 and has worked on several Board projects including Board compliance, budgets, real estate lease/purchase considerations and handling insurance renewals.
Cheryl Buettner
Cheryl has served on the Board of Directors for the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary since 2017. She manages the FAS website, edits the Paw Prints newsletter, and develops marketing opportunities for the Sanctuary.
Cheryl is a middle school science teacher with River Springs Charter School and previously worked in biomedical research at SRI International, Stanford Medical Center’s Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and Syntex Pharmaceuticals. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of California Berkeley, and a Biological Sciences teaching credential from Chapman University.
Her longstanding commitment to service includes volunteer work with numerous animal welfare organizations as well as community groups such as Special Olympics, Girl Scouts, 4-H, AAUW, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Catalina Sykes
Catalina joined the FAS team as a volunteer in the summer of 2025, bringing a blend of global business expertise and a lifelong passion for service. A Fallbrook resident for 23 years, Catalina spent nearly three decades in the travel industry, started two successful international tour companies, Cuba Cultural Travel and Art Quest International, alongside her husband, Michael. As the head of operations and finances, she oversaw client relations, vendor management, and team leadership, while consistently delivering top-tier customer service.
Throughout her career, she seamlessly integrated charitable work into her business, connecting travelers with Cuban charity organizations and families in need. Locally, she spent years serving on PTAs and volunteering in classrooms, teaching art classes to kids.
Now retired from the corporate world, Catalina channels her leadership experience into advocating for rescue animals. Most days she can be found hands-on at FAS showering the sanctuary dogs with love, or at home caring for her own family and four beloved dogs.
Financials
Candid Gold Transparency
Our Candid Gold profile reflects our commitment to openness and responsible nonprofit stewardship.
IRS Form 990 Library
Review our filings to learn more about Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary's nonprofit operations and financial stewardship.
Our Community Recognition
Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary is proud to be recognized for its commitment to animal rescue, adoption, and community pet care.
2022 Nonprofit of the Year — California
Proud to be honored as a 2022 Nonprofit of the Year by the California State Assembly for our work in animal rescue, adoption, and community pet care.
