Our Founding Story

After a successful career serving various roles in the veterinary field: as a professor, surgeon, managing partner, medical director, and Chief Strategy Officer, Julie Smith, DMV, DACVS, CCRT, MBA took what she’d learned and made the decision to pivot to the non-profit side of animal care.

In 2019 Julie began the work to form Sage Compassion for Animals (SageC4A). She brought together a stellar Board of Directors from the San Francisco Bay Area that brings a wealth of experience and diversity to the organization. Timing is everything, and in our case, Julie and the Board had the task of getting the non-profit up and running during COVID-19. 

Julie served as Executive Director for the first four years, creating systems for stability, strong veterinary partnerships, and an intense understanding of the field from the perspective of animal caretaker, lover, and medical expert. Coupled with a love of data, and science, and with a strong value system, Julie has paved the way for the future of Sage Compassion for Animals.

Having hired a new Executive Director in 2024, Julie now works closely with the animal grant program, and our veterinary partners, and serves on the Board of Directors.

Our Mission

We work at the intersection of Animal and Human Welfare. 1.5 million families in the Bay Area live in low to very low income households and care for at least one pet.

We understand that some people are severely limited by finances, and this can adversely affect the animal, the families and the veterinary care team (through compassion fatigue).

We prevent suffering and euthanasia by providing financial assistance for veterinary care to help companion animals in crisis. We educate communities about preventing and reducing illness. We ensure that all the pets we help are spayed or neutered. We serve all nine counties that comprise the SF Bay Area.

Our Impact

We save lives and make the world a better place by improving the lives of pets and their guardians. We have saved over 340 pets since 2020!

We reduce the financial burden of pet care on families. We have given out more than $900,000 in grants since 2020. 90% of each dollar we raise is given as a grant to a pet family in need.

We mitigate compassion fatigue in the veterinarian community. We have over 45 veterinarian partners helping us to save lives. Veterinary medicine faces one of the most severe job shortages in decades. We give our veterinary hospital partners the opportunity to say “YES!” to pets whose only barrier to survival is finances.

We lessen the financial burden on families. We award financial assistance grants based on income, employment, household size, geographic location, pet prognosis, and estimate of costs.

Our Vision

We believe animals are amazing and that you love them as members of your family. We envision a world where you can have access to the health care and education you need to give them their best lives possible.

We recognize and acknowledge that compassion fatigue in the veterinary team is compounded when financial resources are limited.

We help individuals and families experiencing high social vulnerability to keep their companion pet if faced with a medical crisis. This includes older adults, Veterans, those with fixed and limited incomes, persons with service and emotional support animals, those with special needs, and people with limited English proficiency.

Meet the Team

Lisa Coscino
Executive Director

Lisa is an experienced non-profit leader dedicated to championing change, helping organizations to grow and stabilize, and promoting educational excellence. She has served as Executive Director at The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design and New Museum Los Gatos and as Creative Director for the SF Boys and Girls Clubs.

In her spare time, Lisa serves on the Board of Trustees at Occidental College where she Chairs the Student Life and Enrollment Committee. She is the Founding Supporter of OXYLive! and is a member of Chief, a leadership network supporting female executives.

Elizabeth (Lizz) Varela
Grant Review & Admin Assistant

Lizz is the Grant Review Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for Sage Compassion for Animals. She has 10 + years of experience in the Veterinary field and is excited to be a part of our amazing organization. Her goal is to help SageC4A grow into a highly successful non-profit. She is currently working on her Business Administration degree, is bilingual, and applies these skill sets to her role. 

Patty Prescott Sueme
Creative Guru

Patty has had a long career in the Graphic Design field, working with both corporations and non-profits creating brand, marketing collateral, and creative strategies that have contributed to their success and sustainability. She manages the creative side of Sage Compassion for Animals marketing and communications.

Focusing now on her work as a fine artist, Patty has won several prestigious awards in her genre: pastel painting and the natural world between walks with her dog, Tater Tot.

Talita Stiles
Marketing + Event Coordinator

Talita, a passionate environmentalist with a Bachelor's in Natural Science and Environmental Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa is our Marketing + Event Coordinator. She leverages her diverse background in environmental  science, grant writing, and sociology to bring a unique perspective to the team. 

Previously, Talita worked as a Special Project Coordinator for Marin-based non-profit WildCare San Rafael, where she developed skills in strategic planning and community engagement. 

Outside of work, Talita enjoys surfing, birding, and spending time with her cat, Birdie. Her enthusiasm for the environmental and animal well-being shines through in both her personal and professional endeavors.

Meet Our Board of Directors