About Us
I Stand With My Pack is a non-profit organization providing global assistance to save the lives of animals and prevent suffering and cruelty. ISWMP’s domestic efforts focus on the successful removal of dogs from LA city and county as well as other parts of California high risk kill shelters, assisting them through the rehabilitative process and successfully placing them in their forever homes.
ISWMP has also created an international platform increasing awareness through education, hands-on field work, disaster relief, fundraising, non-violent protest, and legal action.
Additionally, ISWMP extends support and collaborates with like minded individuals, organizations and governments to build the momentum required for sustained changes in animal welfare.
These domestic and international efforts support our ultimate mission to create global, long-term solutions for a more humane world.
President and Founder
Aleksandra Schiffer
Aleksandra’s life purpose is building a world where animals and humans live peacefully and respectfully.
Her life began in former Yugoslavia during a decade long civil war. As a refugee, she relocated through the Balkans where she regretfully witnessed many atrocities against humans and animals. Fortunately, her loving mother kept her safe and fed while living in various war zones.
She had the opportunity to grow up living in several countries. Having been exposed to many diverse cultures and languages from a young age, she has learned about animal welfare issues from a global perspective.
Managing Director and International Outreach
Jasminka Herceg
When she rescued a pit bull from a dog fighting ranch 14 years ago, Jasminka instantly knew her life was about to change. As a way of thanking her, this puppy named Lina, her new best furry friend, helped her grow emotionally into a strong and kind person full of love and understanding. Since then she has completed several educational programs related to dog training, dog behaviour and therapy.
Although she has worked as an aesthetician and educational expert in the beauty and wellness industry for 20 years, it was very clear that someday she will become an animal rights activist and the voice of all voiceless creatures, especially those on the verge of extinction.
Director of Rescue
Jessica Kowalski
Jessica strives to live her life in a way that gives something back to the world; having empathy and being kind to others is exceedingly important to her.
For the first 15 years of her adult life, Jessica taught English and Theatre at inner-city high schools in Canada. She also worked as a teaching artist for a non-profit theatre company serving at-risk and incarcerated youth. When Jessica moved to Los Angeles from Vancouver, and agreed to give up her teaching career in order to relocate, she made sure her family knew that her goal was to start helping Pitbull type dogs. Since then, she has volunteered and fostered for various shelters and rescues, and opened her home to three adorable rescue Pitbulls named Murphy, Holly, and Truffles. Jessica, and her husband and son, have dedicated their lives to being ambassadors for these misunderstood dogs.
Adoption and Foster Coordinator
Kelli Jacobson
Kelli has lived most of her adult life following a quote from Temple Grandin: “Nature is cruel, but we don’t have to be.”
Born in sunny Arizona, Kelli found herself, at the age of 11, bottle feeding orphaned kittens, saving loose dogs in her neighborhood, and making sure all fledglings she found were safely returned to their nests. It’s no wonder advocating for animals has become her life’s work. In 2009, Kelli made the decision to cut ties with all forms of animal exploitation and became vegan the very next day.
Kelli found herself thrust into the world of dog rescue in 2012 by a scared yellow lab named Pizza she found cowering in a ditch on the side of the road; upon a visit to the vet, was found to be pregnant with 10 puppies! Since then Kelli has been a strong and proud voice for forgotten and mistreated dogs, working with rescues and shelters both locally and worldwide.
Volunteer Committee Members
Volunteer CommitteeAshley Altstadt
Event Manager and CoordinatorDillon Neaman
