PETS ARE ONE OF LIFE’S GREATEST JOYS
Let’s make sure all pet parents can afford to give their fur babies the medical treatment they need.
THE LIFE LONG PAWS FOUNDATION
Where Pets Are Treated Like Family & Given the Quality of Life They Deserve
IT ALL BEGAN WITH MY PROBLEM CHILD BENITO AND A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
My name is Rebecca, and I am the mom to two fur babies: Ellie, my Biewer Terrier, and Benito, my Yorkie. Benito is my problem child. I’m always taking him to the vet. He’s a hypochondriac, always coming up with new mysterious illnesses for our vet to diagnose.
One particular evening, I was in the emergency room with Benito because the vet’s offce was closed, and I overheard the mother of a very sick cat crying as she agreed to euthanize her precious baby because she couldn’t afford medical treatment.
IT ALL BEGAN WITH MY PROBLEM CHILD BENITO AND A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
My name is Rebecca, and I am the mom to two fur babies: Ellie, my Biewer Terrier, and Benito, my Yorkie. Benito is my problem child. I’m always taking him to the vet. He’s a hypochondriac, always coming up with new mysterious illnesses for our vet to diagnose.
One particular evening, I was in the emergency room with Benito because the vet’s offce was closed, and I overheard the mother of a very sick cat crying as she agreed to euthanize her precious baby because she couldn’t afford medical treatment.
It surprised me and broke my heart that she had to pay the entire bill upfront in order for her cat to receive the life-saving medical treatment she needed. Before I walked out of the ER that evening, I paid Benito’s $5,000 bill, and I began to ask myself, “How does the average American family afford such high vet bills?”
It turns out, they don’t. Nearly 3 million animals are euthanized each year, and many of those are due to the high cost of veterinary care. As I began to dig deeper into the topic, I realized that there is a systemic challenge with pet healthcare. It’s too expensive, and most pet insurance plans lack comprehensive care options, requiring payment in full upfront. So, most families don’t choose to insure their pet, and in many cases, they have to say goodbye to their fur babies because of financial reasons. For me, this is unacceptable.
The Life Long Paws Foundation was created to revolutionize pet healthcare, so that all pets can get the treatment they need, regardless of their families’ financial means, and so that no pet parent ever has to make the unbearable choice to euthanize their pets because they can’t afford medical treatment.
Please join me in supporting this important cause!
To family,
Rebecca Perry-Torres
What We Stand For
OUR CORE VALUES
Family
Our pets are like children. They’re family, and we love them unconditionally.
Empathy
We have a profound respect for pets and their rights to life. We believe we have a moral obligation to provide them with the best healthcare and wellness services available, so they can experience the quality of life they need and deserve.
Commitment
Pet ownership is a lifelong commitment that requires access to affordable, lifelong healthcare. We are driven to make it possible for all pet parents to keep their pets healthy, regardless of healthcare expenses.
Collaboration
We believe in listening to, empowering, and cooperating with all who seek to improve the quality of life for our pets. The best solutions will come from multidisciplinary, win-win partnerships.
Permanency
Systemic progress must be made to develop self-sustaining solutions in the pet healthcare category. We seek to advocate for permanent solutions, not just short-term relief.
Meet Our Executive Director + President Rebecca Perry-Torres
Born in San Diego, California and raised in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in a Mexican-American family, Rebecca Perry-Torres brings a global, multicultural viewpoint to her work in pet advocacy. As the daughter of two formidable entrepreneurs, Rebecca learned the value of industry, economics, and collaborative problem-solving early in life. She earned her B.A. in Political Government from Connecticut College and worked in the Mexican Embassy before moving to Washington, D.C. in 2019 to take on supporting Congressional members on Capitol Hill. She then pursued a Master’s in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and brings a policy lens to her work as Founder and Executive Director of The Life Long Paws Foundation. She lives in Washington DC with her beloved Biewer Terrier, Ellie, and her problem child Yorkie, Benito.
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEET OUR TEAM
MARK NELSON
Board Member & Legal Counsel
KIM BURI
Treasurer
KRIS PUTNAM
Walkerly
Philanthropy Advisor
RUBI BOETTCHER
Bookkeeper
MEET OUR TEAM
KRIS PUTNAM
Walkerly
Philanthropy Advisor
RUBI BOETTCHER
Bookkeeper
Ready to take the first step in supporting a new culture of pride in pet ownership?
Learn about our exciting partnership opportunities.
MARK NELSON
Board Member & Legal Counsel
Mark Nelson is a seasoned attorney and nonprofit advisor with over 45 years of experience in domestic and international law, advising governments, private clients, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic foundations. At Life Long Paws Foundation, he brings deep expertise in governance, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance, while also serving as legal counsel.
A lifelong animal lover, Mark has traveled to more than 190 countries across all seven continents, often evaluating quality of life by observing how animals are treated. His passion for animal welfare is rooted in the belief that every animal deserves compassionate care—and that how a society treats its pets is a powerful reflection of its values. He draws on decades of legal and nonprofit leadership to help shape the Foundation’s vision, growth, and impact—with integrity, innovation, and heart.
KIM BURI
Treasurer
Kim Buri is a career banking executive with decades of experience in private and commercial finance, including VP roles at Bank of NY, Manufacturers Hanover, and Spire Capital – Acquisition Finance. A lifelong animal lover, accomplished equestrian, and proud pet parent, Kim now manages a private portfolio, supports low-income housing efforts, and is studying to become a beekeeper. She lives with her husband, two sons, and beloved dog-daughter labrador Gini and granddog-daughter rescue Nala.
KRIS PUTNAM-WALKERLY
Philanthropy Advisor
Kris Putnam-Walkerly is a trusted advisor to global philanthropies, ultra-wealthy donors, celebrity activists, and Fortune 500s. For 25+ years, she’s helped her clients strategically commit over $500 million with greater clarity, speed, impact, and joy. An award-winning author and expert, her insights appear in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and NPR. Her latest book is Delusional Altruism (Wiley, 2020). Her family includes her husband, five human children, and her animal family bernedoodle Bailey, cat Lulu, geckos Barbecue and Ankle, an escargatoire of snails and her fishie shoal.
RUBI BOETTCHER
Bookkeeper
Rubi Boettcher is a seasoned bookkeeper, specializing in nonprofits, small businesses, trusts, and personal finance. With nearly 40 years of experience, Rubi brings a steady financial hand to Life Long Paws Foundation. For Rubi, Long Life Paws is a personal mission, as she remembers times in her life when it was difficult to cover unplanned veterinary bills. The stress & heartache of not knowing how to pay left a lasting impression. Today, she and her husband Jason share their home with two quirky rescue cats: Fez, a large, vocal food-lover who bolts at the sound of the doorbell, and Rocket, a pint-sized cat who looks like he’s wearing a French beret. Their beloved Chihuahua mix, Tod, is always present in their home, if only in their hearts.