About and Contact
Neshama Animal Rescue is an all volunteer independent, 501 (c)(3) animal welfare and education organization. Our mission is to promote the rescue and adoption of companion animals, with a focus on senior and special needs pets. We believe every soul has intrinsic value and we seek to help communities see that value to create a kinder world. Our goals are to rescue animals from shelters, place them in loving foster homes, and adopt them out to forever homes, as well as strengthen our communities’ education, laws and regulations regarding animal overpopulation and care.
“Neshama” means “soul” in Hebrew - our goal is to do soulful work and save as many souls as possible. Neshama Animal Rescue was founded in December 2019.
Please consider making a donation to support our work.
Neshama Animal Rescue is a tax-exempt North Carolina Non-Profit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 84-3962686. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the NC State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
Board of Directors
Anne Teicher
Co-Founder and President
Anne's first word was "doggie" and she hasn't stopped obsessing over dogs ever since. Anne has been volunteering for animal rescues as a foster home and transporter for over 15 years, starting during her time at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Seeking to blend her love of animals and theology, she and her husband decided to form Neshama after the death of her beloved rescue companion Cairn Terrier, Ari. After years of seeing human owners surrender their senior or special needs animals, Anne and Zach decided to make this the focus of Neshama's rescue efforts.
Zach Teicher
Co-Founder and Secretary/Treasurer
Zach has been volunteering in the rescue community for over 15 years including fostering over 500 animals over the years with his wife Anne. When he isn't scooping litter or buying cat/dog food, Zach enjoys chilling out with their rescue menagerie. A Project Manager by trade, Zach is excited to help co-found Neshama and help rescue more animals in need.
Chandra Artman
Board Member
Lifetime dog lover and desire to help the neglected and abused. Chandra is honored to jump in the trenches with Zach and Anne to serve the least of these. She is also learning more about cats!!
Mary Lucas
Board Member
Mary has a long history of volunteering with various animal rescues in North Carolina in many capacities but her passion is specializing in hospice and medical fostering. She discovered Neshama through social media, where she had been sharing the journey of one of her hospice dogs, Darla. Her home has become a dedicated sanctuary for dogs in need, often resembling a glorified nursing home for furry companions. Mary was drawn to Neshama because of their unique focus on dogs who might otherwise be overlooked or placed on euthanasia lists due to their medical needs or hospice status. You can follow her foster journeys on Instagram at @canineinchtails.
Advisory Council
Alexa Chapman
Alexa Chapman is the Cat Foster Coordinator. Her journey into animal rescue began during her college years when she was involved in summer research. Her professor, aware of her off-campus residence, suggested she foster a litter of kittens for the local humane society. Alexa quickly became passionate about fostering and has been doing so ever since. To date, she has fostered over 500 cats and kittens. While she loves rescuing both cats and dogs, her specialty lies with cats. She takes great joy in fostering kitties and teaching others the art of cat fostering.
Among the animals she’s worked with, her favorite Neshama animal is Rose, a hospice kitty she had the privilege of caring for over six months. Despite the challenges elderly cats often face when transitioning to a new home, Rose remained cheerful and eagerly embraced new experiences, even though she was mostly blind.
Kim Rothfuss
Kim is from Rochester NY and grew up with dogs. She has been working in rescue a few years. As a registered nurse, her passion to help others also overflows to animals. She has been called “foster extraordinaire” and is always willing to jump in the car and go to the shelters for Anne and Zach and save a new dog or cat at the last second!
Ari Moshe Gregory Teicher (z'l)
Of Blessed MemoryAri was Anne's very first foster dog, when she volunteered with Cairn Rescue USA. Anne rescued Ari in Tennessee when he was four years old. Ari lived until December 2019, and was one of the key inspirations of Anne and Zach's decision to establish Neshama Animal Rescue. He was the consumate foster brother to 100s of dogs and cats, and always happy to meet a new friend.