Q&A with Ohio Animal Advocates CFO Deb Molinaro: Service, Compassion, and a Heart for Animals

Ohio Animal Advocates is fortunate to have dedicated supporters who contribute not only their expertise, but also their time, passion, and generosity. One of those supporters is Deb Molinaro, OAA's Chief Financial Officer. Since joining the organization in early 2024, Deb has helped guide OAA's financial operations while also supporting the organization's mission through personal donations and volunteer service. We recently sat down with Deb to learn more about her missionary work in Peru, her commitment to animal advocacy, and the beloved dog who inspired her passion for helping animals.

Question: You recently participated in a missionary trip to Peru. What inspired you to get involved, and what experience stayed with you the most?

Molinaro: Missionary work was really heavy on my heart. I serve at my church, but this was something I had wanted to do for a long time. The biggest impact for me was seeing the level of poverty and how much children struggle.

We worked at a girls' orphanage that takes in girls who don't have families. As a mother of two daughters, seeing so many little girls without a mom really pulled at my heartstrings. We did a lot of hard work and spent a lot of time praying for those girls and their futures.

One thing that was especially difficult to process was learning that once many of the girls turn 16, they're on their own. Whether they have somewhere to go or not, they leave the orphanage. That was hard to wrap my head around, but the experience was incredibly rewarding, and I hope to do another mission trip in the future.

Question: You've been involved with Ohio Animal Advocates for several years. What inspired you to support OAA?

Molinaro: I've been very blessed, and I like to give back. OAA is a small organization doing important work, and I wanted to help.

For me, it was never about making money. It was about helping Vicki and supporting the work that needed to be done. I think Vicki is incredible, and I believe strongly in the cause. She works tirelessly, and I feel good about supporting OAA both through my work and through donations.

Question: What motivated you to become more involved with the organization as CFO?

Molinaro: Vicki invited me to attend a board meeting and help explain the financial reports since I'm the one preparing them. I also wanted to see how the board operated because I had never served on a board before.

What stood out to me was the passion and knowledge of everyone involved. It was a great group of people who truly care about animals and the work they're doing. I'd heard so much about everyone from Vicki, so it was nice to finally put faces to names.

Question: There are so many organizations people can support. What makes OAA's mission meaningful to you?

Molinaro: I have a heart for animals across the board. Of course, I love dogs and cats, but I care about all animals.

What makes OAA unique is that we're advocating for animals throughout Ohio. We're not just caring for individual animals—we're working to create lasting change through education, awareness, and policy. That advocacy work is so important, and I think it's something our state really needs.

Question: We understand you recently lost your beloved dog, Zena. Would you share a little about her?

Molinaro: Zena was my companion for 14 years. She brought me so much joy and love.

When I was battling cancer and going through chemotherapy, I spent about eight months mostly in bed. Zena never left my side. She would lay next to me all day with her head resting on my leg unless she needed to go outside. She was there through one of the hardest periods of my life, and I'm incredibly grateful for that.

Later, she developed Cushing's disease caused by a brain tumor. Caring for her through that journey was difficult, and making the decision to say goodbye was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Thankfully, OAA connected me with Lap of Love, an in-home pet hospice and euthanasia service. The veterinarian who came to my home was extraordinary. It was heartbreaking, but it was also peaceful and beautiful, and I'm grateful Zena was able to pass surrounded by love.

Fly high, my sweet girl, Zena.

Question: Did your experiences with pets influence your passion for animal welfare?

Molinaro: Absolutely. One experience that really stayed with me happened when I was in my late twenties. Someone found a mother cat and her kittens abandoned in a dumpster.

I was appalled that someone could do that to animals. I ended up adopting the last two kittens, a brother and sister. The little boy was barely hanging on when I got him, but I didn't want to separate them.

From that point forward, I just couldn't understand cruelty toward animals. It also opened my eyes to the connection between violence toward animals and violence toward people. That's one of the reasons I appreciate OAA's work addressing the link between animal abuse and domestic violence.

Question: What excites you most about OAA's future?

Molinaro: I'm excited about the organization's growth. I've seen a lot of progress over the last year, and I think there's tremendous potential ahead.

I would encourage anyone who has a heart for animals to take a closer look at Ohio Animal Advocates. Whether you're a pet owner, a wildlife enthusiast, a farmer, or even a hunter, there are opportunities to support the organization's mission.

A little bit can go a long way, and every contribution helps create a better future for animals across Ohio.

Question: Any final thoughts?

Molinaro: I'd love to become even more involved with OAA in the future. I'm not exactly sure what that will look like yet, but I've told Vicki that if there's a way I can help, I'm happy to do it.

This work is meaningful to me. Supporting animals and helping organizations like OAA feels like a purpose, and I'm grateful to be part of it.

Meet all the OAA Board members, staff and advisors at ohioanimaladvocates.org/about.