who we are

Dogs of the 9th Ward is an all-volunteer rescue group. We rely entirely on donations to continue our work. All of us either have full-time jobs or are full-time students.

Michelle Icahn is our Media Coordinator. Michelle is a photographer who takes all the beautiful pictures of our adoptable dogs. Michelle is a Tulane graduate who lives in the Irish Channel and owns and loves a pit bull (and D9 alum!) Mae (formerly Amber).

Margaret Davidson is our Adoption Day Coordinator. Margaret coordinates our monthly adoption days at the Freret Market as well as helping out with all aspects of the rescue. Margaret teaches in Gentilly and is a resident of the Bywater area of the 9th Ward.

Lisa Scalzitti and Jay Burrus are D9 fosters and dog care volunteers. They also help with outreach and general coordination and are involved in launching new initiatives to get more of our dogs adopted to loving homes. They share their home with many rescued animals in the 9th Ward.

Carolyn Marsden assists with the care and socialization of our dogs. She shares her home with a rescued pit bull and is pursing a graduate degree and Tulane.

Kelly Gaus is our founder and director. She shares her home with a raucous bunch of dogs in the Florida Area of the 9th Ward and is in her second year of law school at Tulane.

Kelly and Pauline, photo courtesy of the Times-Picayune