PAWS Atlanta is welcoming five new board members to the team this summer, one of whom is Tamara Lopata. We can already tell she just "gets us". Her big heart for animals and desire to make a difference always shine through. She's already a hands-on animal lover, fostering seven dogs over the years! We know you'll love her as much as we do.

Why did you decide to join the PAWS Atlanta Board?

Being with animals, especially with dogs, just makes me happy! Having had pets my entire life—all of whom were rescues—I know the joy, comfort, and happiness the right pet can provide.

I was looking for an opportunity to directly impact rescued animals and bring them together with loving families so they can experience the same joy I get. When I learned about the opportunity to join the PAWS Atlanta Board, it seemed like the perfect fit.

PAWS has a long history of helping animals in need find their forever families, and I’m excited to use my time and skills to continue this tradition. I’m especially excited about the thoughtfulness and care the PAWS team takes to make the right match for the animals and their adopting families. Whether someone is looking for a buddy, a baby, a protector, a playmate, or a little of each, finding the right pet to be that companion brings true joy and I think this is what PAWS Atlanta is all about!

What type of work do you do outside of PAWS Atlanta?

I am in business development for a project-based IT consulting company called Hylaine. One of our Microsoft Teams channels is Pets of Hylaine where we share funny, sweet, and sad stories and photos of our pets. Seeing how much people love and cherish their pets helps us get to know each other better especially in this virtual work world.

What do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies?

I love watching movies, reading, going to the gym, and going on hikes or long walks, but I think the hobby I love most is volunteering. I inherited this love of helping others from my grandmother who continued to volunteer into her 90’s!

Tell us about your pets and your family.

I have a wonderful husband, Mike, and two almost grown children, Trent and Marisa. We have two dogs: Ralphie who’s a super smart Jack Russell mix who is still feisty at 15 ½ years old and Ruby who’s a 9-year-old Beagle-Shepherd mix. She is the sweetest dog ever!

Anything else you want to share about you?

My family has fostered seven dogs, and the last of which was Ruby whom we adopted.

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