Meet the Team

All Paws Rescue owes its success to the incredible dedication, love, and compassion of our Board members. Our team works together seamlessly to ensure the safety, happiness, and health of every cat we rescue. Without them, our mission to save feline lives would not be possible.

Michelle Borg, Founder/President

Helping animals has been my passion since a little girl and I will never forget the day I went to a barn to pick out a kitten for my family at the age of 7. I was thrilled to have  a new furry friend to play and sleep with. This little grey kitty was terrified and scratched my face when I picked him up. I knew he would never get adopted so I decided to take him home and give him all the love he deserved. I also brought one of his siblings... of course without my parents permission :) My family always loved animals and we ended up with four fluff balls in our home! My love for kitties specifically came out at a very young age. I would fill my school bag with cat food in senior Kindergarten and feed all of the strays on my way to school. I was so happy to see that all the food was gone on my way home. My heart was always fulfilled helping animals. I truly feel I was destined to do this and since 2013, when I decided to start my very own rescue, saving animals has been my number one priority.  Building this rescue has been a challenge, but with a wonderful team by my side, amazing supporters and a loving community that is always here to help, running All Paws has been an absolute life changing experience. I am so grateful that I can live out my dreams and wake up with a heart so full of love and happiness. 

Carol Buckton, Vice President

​My journey to All Paws was unexpected to say the least. As a family, we were unable to have furry pets due to my daughter’s severe asthma and allergies. She couldn’t even visit other family members with pets without serious complications. After some major changes in my life, I decided I’d love to have a cat. My kids had all moved on to their new lives and I was ready to adopt. Knowing nothing about rescues, I ended up in Belleville and adopted a bonded pair.....well there was no looking back. Curiosity got the better of me, and I started researching the subject. That brought me to All Paws and my first fostering experience. It was January 31st, 2016. A big hunk of a tuxedo cat called Harley - I couldn’t bear to see him out in the cold. Turned out Harley couldn’t be tamed and ended up being a TNR. He lived in my spare room for about 6 months before I admitted defeat. Talk about diving in head first. There was no turning back after that. I became a driver which was a terrific experience and showed me many sides of rescue. As we added to our store portfolio, an opportunity came up to be a store lead in Burlington. Soon after, we added another store. I was hooked. Like most people, I had no idea about the dire situation with kitties in our area. There was never a shortage of things to be done and foster kitties came and went. They all stole my heart but some, well some never left.. :-) In 2018 I joined the Board. I’ve never regretted a minute of the time I’ve spent with All Paws. Some days I cry, some days I laugh but everyday reminds me that this is what I was meant to do no matter how difficult it can be. We have the best group of supporters and it’s a joy to work with this leadership team. My hope is to one day see a better world for our kitties.

Jacqueline McCloskey, Director
For as long as I can remember, I have loved animals. I was lucky enough to have pet cats as part of our family growing up, but always felt the need to give more. I volunteered at the humane society and a local veterinary clinic in high school and earned a new respect for those that devote their careers to this field (they are underappreciated). While my own career path has taken me to the corporate world with a hectic travel schedule, finding time to give back and help those in need is my true passion. About five years ago, I decided that I was ready to adopt and was looking for 2 adult cats when I received a call from my Aunt asking if I would consider adopting 2 strays (brother & sister) who she had been feeding for the past 2 years after they were abandoned on her property. I had no experience with ferals, but how could I say no? We were able to trap the male quickly, but his sister was smart and escaped the trap. We finally managed to trap her (and her now 13 week old kittens) 3 months later. I was so unprepared to socialize ferals but quickly learned. But it took about 6 months to make good progress with the kittens and well, by that time I was attached so I kept them all and don’t ever regret it! About 2 years after adopting my new pack, I joined All Paws as a volunteer – running errands, delivering supplies, volunteering in store - and soon was excited to be asked to join the Board of Directors in 2019. The work that we do at All Paws is so incredibly rewarding and offsets the heartbreak that we sometimes encounter. I feel privileged to work with this wonderful rescue and all the remarkable supporters and volunteers everyday.

Sofia Leonetti, Treasurer 

One of the greatest joys in my life is being a mom to my beautiful kitties. They have brought so much happiness to our family. As an animal lover I was looking for ways to connect with some like minded people when I came across All Paws Rescue. I was blown away by the incredible support and people's willingness to help this rescue's mission. I began volunteering at events, transporting foster cats to vet appointments and delivering foster supplies, doing whatever I could to help. I’m in constant awe of the support and generosity of our group. The incredible fosters who open their hearts and homes to cats in need. The wonderful volunteers who care for our cats in our partner stores, who transport for us. The amazing members that donate and help us raise funds. I’ve been incredibly blessed to work along side some strong, selfless women on the Board of Directors who share the same views. I’m so grateful to be a part of this rescue family, and so proud of everything that we have accomplished so far!

Sandy Silva, Director

I joined All Paws Rescue in June of 2017 after I lost my beloved cat of 23 years. I felt so lost without her and without purpose. I will never forget the day I went to an event at local pet store and met some wonderful All Paws Volunteers. We shared so many pet and animal rescue stories and their excitement, love, dedication and compassion for animals was contagious. My heart began to heal that day. The rescue team helped me rescue a very sick and injured cat in my neighborhood. Watching them work was unbelievable. I began by volunteering as much as I could at events, baking for bake sales, became a foster, and eventually joined the Board of Directors in 2018. I am so proud to work along side such an amazing team and look forward to the years ahead.
Didi & Ed, Trapping Team
A close neighbor of ours found a spring trap that a customer was throwing out. This neighbor knew I was involved with a rescue and gave it to me. About the same time there was a post on the ALL PAWS page about a mama cat and 6 kittens that needed help. All paws was full but another rescued agreed to take them if someone could trap them. Since it was really close to my house I offered to try. I went day and night for about a week and managed to catch 4 of the kittens. Mama and the last kitten were way to crafty and would not go near the spring traps. I did some research on other methods and found that a drop trap was often used and proved to be successful. So, I asked my handy man hubby to make me one. He made a huge box and we have been extremely successful with this. Ed has never looked back and we eagerly go on many missions together. We have since modified the trap to be remote controlled with a camera inside so that we can still trap kittys without having to pull the rope or be in view of the cats. We truly enjoy helping rescue cats and kittens.