Iliana Belinc
Founder & Executive Director
PalsNPets© is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides pet education and veterinary care for people with pets experiencing homelessness living in human shelters.
I create ongoing partnerships with veterinarians and pet-experienced people, and coordinate this support at each one of our partner homeless shelters.
I love supporting people who have pets because it brings them comfort during a difficult time. Love is important to both people and animals, and my organization allows me to offer this natural gift in a simple, powerful way.
On a typical day, I am overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization, including managing staff and volunteers and coordinating our programs. I do this at my office or onsite in shelters where I meet with our pet parents and their pets as well as the shelter staff.
What led me to the work I do now was my Grandfather Carlos. He was a leader in his small community and protected fair wages in Mexico. He also rescued street dogs his whole life. See his compassionate, supportive side for people and pets naturally felt like the right thing for me, too.
Ultimately, PalsNPets© will have its own dog daycare that will service the local community and also be a place for a job transitional program for people who have pets living in human shelters.
I like to do a lot of fun stuff! I live close to the beach with my dog Romeo, so we often go there to play. My partner and I also like to sail the ocean and ski in the mountains. I have some cool hobbies like kiteboarding and playing ice hockey. Most weeks, I like to geek out on herbs and plants; I find them so magical and healing. In my free time, I love learning about herbs and plants. I'm making my own skincare products, unique tea infusions, and herbal remedies.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." ~ Theodore Roosevelt