Rebecca Poling

Rebecca is a native Texan who has lived in Dallas the last 25 years. She grew up with pets and became an active advocate in 2000. She is founder and President of Companions For Life, a non-profit organization providing humane education and shelter outreach services. Companions For Life educates children about responsible pet ownership and respect for animals through private and public partnerships. Companions For Life also provides local animal rescue groups and shelter staff with industry-related educational and networking opportunities, free educational resources, and programs designed specifically for them.

Rebecca also services as Rescue Liaison for the City of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, an advisory board appointed by the City Council to advise Dallas Animal Services. Rebecca lent her expertise toward development of the volunteer program at the animal shelter and expanding the City's educational initiatives, and helped develop new partnerships between the shelter and local animal rescue groups. Rebecca also helped spearhead efforts to pass the 2008 amendments to the City of Dallas animal code.

A former Vice President of Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance, Rebecca was instrumental in creating both the Race To Reduce Litters spay/neuter program for feral cats and the Lost Cat Recovery program. Rebecca currently serves on the Advisory Boards of three local animal welfare organizations: Paws In The City, Cat Matchers, and Dallas Animal Advocates, and was the recipient of the 2009 Paws In The City St. Francis of Assisi award for contributions to the animal welfare community. She is a member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators and is certified in disaster response by the Humane Society of the United. She worked with Animal Rescue New Orleans and Alley Cat Allies rescuing cats after Hurricane Katrina.