Joanna comes from an “animal crazy family.” Her first birthday present was a kitten; and for her eleventh birthday present, a life-long membership to the Cat Protection League in the UK. It was upon moving to Galiano that Joanna realized that the feral and unwanted cats of the Island needed help, and so she founded GAIN (Galiano Animals in Need). GAIN later amalgamated with Mayne Island Rest.Q Sanctuary when the founders moved away, and it became Galiano Rest.Q Sanctuary. Working with Dr. Tina Gemeinhardt at the Ark was another eye opener – a vet willing to help these unwanted creatures by spaying and neutering. Mayne Island’s Dr. Elisabeth Jahren is now carrying Dr. Gemeinhardt’s work. It is a privilege to help all animals in need here and everywhere.

Henry and his wife, Elisabeth, our wonderful veterinarians, both graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon in 1986. They moved to Mayne Island in 1996. Henry worked for the provincial government animal health department, and Elisabeth established the Mayne Island Veterinary Clinic. Elisabeth also opened a small satellite practice on Galiano Island. Both Henry and Elisabeth are involved with assisting Rest.Q with spaying and neutering feral cats and rabbits, as well as providing on-going medical care for these precious creatures.

Gary Rosnick graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph in 1982, upon which he practiced in a rural community for three years, mostly treating dairy cattle, horses, dogs and cats. Gary moved to Toronto in 1985 and worked as a small animal veterinarian for 36 years.  He retired and moved to Galiano Island in 2021 with his wife, Lisa, and cat, Donut.  Gary and Lisa have two adult children, Kyle and Johanne. Still passionate about helping animals, it was a logical fit for Gary to volunteer with the incredibly kind and dedicated board members, Joanna, Alison and Henry, as well as veterinarian, Elisabeth. Gary feels honoured to be part of the board of the Rest.Q Animal Sanctuary.  

Alison moved to Mayne Island from Vancouver in December 2017. She and her husband found the beauty of the Gulf Islands suited their love of the quiet outdoors. Alison took an immediately interest in the work of the Rest.Q Animal Sanctuary when the organization assisted in re-housing her dying father’s cat before she was able to move to Mayne Island. In 2018, a newborn kitten was found in dire circumstances on Galiano Island and came to the attention of Rest.Q. Alison and her husband took the tiny kitten and bottle fed him. In 2019 another newborn kitten came into their lives. These two “kittens” are part of a five-cat family, and Alison and her husband wonder how many more cats they can accommodate in their small house!