Your donations make miracles happen!
Donations are 100% tax deductible.
H.E.A.R.T. is a 501(c)3 organization, EIN#37-1522742.

Passion for Pets
The Help and Education for Animal Responsibility Team (H.E.A.R.T.) was formed in 2006 by a group of shelter volunteers and employees who wanted to improve the care of the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility (CVACF) animals and assist our pet owning community. H.E.A.R.T.’s dedicated volunteers support veterinary, medical, adoption, community education, and spay & neuter programs in Chula Vista, National City, and Lemon Grove. We’re helping the needs of the thousands of unwanted animals that enter the facility.
Our Mission is to assist in the health and welfare of animals in local shelters and to promote responsible pet ownership in our global community.
Our Focus is to support low cost spay/neuter efforts in San Diego and across California. We collaborate with other organizations to sponsor spay/neuter clinics, we provide volunteer veterinary services to spay/neuter clinics locally and abroad, and we purchase needed medical supplies for state-wide spay/neuter programs.
OUR BOARD
Dorothy York, DVM, MPVM
President / Treasurer – Dr. Dorothy York has been a veterinarian for over 40 years and has dedicated much of her career to caring for shelter animals. Her passion for charity work has brought her to over ten countries where she has shared her work: spaying and neutering pets for people who need assistance.
Meet Lucy. Dr. York (in pink) loves spending time with her rescued mini dachshund, Lucy – along with her daughter Venissa (in green) and her dog Oliver. They love hiking together and being in the great outdoors. (Photo taken on the Pacific Crest Trail.)

Paula Tschauner
Vice President – Paula has actively been associated with the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility and the HEART organization for many years. She manages HEART’s philanthropy efforts and donations, as well as communications and outreach. She’s proud of the impression the organization has made on the community!
Meet Ginger and Moritz. Paula adopted her two cats, Ginger and Moritz, from the Animal Care Facility – and truly believes “a house is not a home without a cat.”

Jeanette Woempner, RVT
Secretary – Jeanette is a Registered Veterinary Technician with over 30 years of clinical experience. She has been a teacher for more than 15 years, and is the former Director of Veterinary Programs for Pima Medical Institute’s Chula Vista Campus. She managed Veterinary Assistant volunteers at the CVACF for 10 years.
Meet Eureka. Jeanette’s free time is spent with her Golden Retriever, Eureka. Eureka enjoys being wherever her humans are and stockpiling her favorite woobies (stuffed animals).

Nancy Malk (formerly Heitel)
Board Member – As a volunteer for over 18 years at two of San Diego County animal shelters (Bonita and San Diego), Nancy has seen first-hand the myriad of issues that need to be addressed – with the over-population of unwanted animals at the top of the list. She feels it’s an honor to serve on the Board of H.E.A.R.T. and to work to improve the lives of animals in our community.
Meet Pippa. Nancy and her husband, Brian, share their lives with two pooches who were adopted at the Bonita Animal Shelter when Nancy volunteered there. Wally, is a Schnauzer-Poodle mix, and Pippa is a Yorkie/Pomerarian mix.
Financials
THE LATEST NEWS
HEART Donates $15K to Pet Health Express
In 2024-2025, HEART donated $15,000 to help equip the new San Diego County Pet Health Express mobile unit with medical […]
HEART’s Latest Contributions
HEART continues to support the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility. In addition, HEART has also embraced the San Diego Animal […]
Otay Crossing Self Storage Donates to HEART
Zee Zavaleta, Manager of Otay Crossing Self Storage chose HEART as the recipient of their annual donation of $750 to […]


