Meet The Team
Fred Taylor
Founder
Fred Taylor is the founder of Animal Angels ZLO. Fred was born in England and moved to Washington State at a young age where he grew up. In 2012, Fred and his late wife Laurie, seeking sunnier climates, moved to Manzanillo Mexico.
It became quickly apparent that there were many street animals that needed help. Heeding the call, Fred and Laurie formed Animal Angels ZLO in 2013 with the intention of controlling the cat and dog population through sterilization and also providing veterinary care for sick and injured animals.
Fred has been hands on throughout the process and has spent and continues to spend countless hours making life better for the animals and the communities they live in.
Joe Howell
President
While Joe has always been a dog lover, rescuing dogs became Joe’s passion upon moving to Mexico in 1998. Joe started transporting dogs north of the border, to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, then to California, across Canada.
He has also helped bring dogs from Peru and Afghanistan to new homes. Joe drives the transport strategies for Rosey’s Wish, and actively helps dogs through his network of contacts across Mexico, the US and Canada. By plane, by bus, or by car, thousands of dogs have been transported to their forever homes by Joe.
Anja Helmon
Vice President
Anja Helmon has always had a heart for animals. Her first few years were accompanied by Tanya the golden retriever, followed by Mysty, a dog rescue, both in Baltimore, Maryland. Mysty was the first in a long line of both cat and dog rescues. No matter to where Anja moved in the US (Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, New Jersey, California), she always found a companion.
Microsoft called to Anja when she was in her late 20's, and she moved to Seattle, WA. Anja fell in love with the beauty and outdoor activities, not to mention her husband, and surmised she may stay in Seattle for the rest of her life. She and her husband, John, stayed in Seattle for twenty years, allowing her to fill the house with cats and dogs (two of each at a time), before getting the itch to move again for sunnier skies.
Off to Manzanillo, Mexico, they went, fulfilling John's dream to retire early by the beach. John loved every minute he was in Mexico until he died shortly after discovering he had cancer. Anja now lives with her mother and 3 dog rescues (one American and two Mexican). She wishes she could take more animals in, but must instead settle for volunteering and doing what she can for the larger animal population.
Kate Cordera
Treasurer
Kate Cordera moved to Manzanillo, Mexico, in 2009, where she and her husband built and now operate Oasis Ocean Club, a thriving beachfront restaurant and destination. A devoted mother and wife, Kate balances her businesses with a strong commitment to both her family and her community. From a young age, Kate developed a deep love for animals, which has grown into a lifelong mission as an activist and rescuer.
Over the years, she has fostered and placed countless animals—from birds to Bengal tigers—ensuring each finds safety and care. Kate has also teamed up with local organizations to provide free sterilizations for hundreds of animals in her community, reducing suffering and promoting responsible ownership. A strong advocate for animal welfare, Kate actively supports rescue initiatives and community education. She takes pride in sharing this passion with her children, instilling in them the same compassion and respect for all living beings that has guided her since childhood.
Stephanie Yonker
Secretary
Stephanie grew up on a farm in Minnesota, where caring for animals was just part of everyday life. Since then, she’s fostered more than 50 cats and many dogs — most recently a group of six black kittens — and currently shares her home with Cali, a spirited Chihuahua-Terrier mix. Stephanie and her family spend as much time as they can at their home in Las Brisas, especially when her two kids (currently 13 and 15) are on school break.
Stephanie is the Secretary of Friends of Mexican Animal Welfare, where she combines her lifelong love of animals with a professional background in law and science. She’s an attorney specializing in intellectual property and biotechnology, and has held roles at companies like Genentech and Alector. She holds a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley and a JD from Harvard Law School. In addition to her work with Friends of Mexican Animal Welfare, Stephanie serves on the board of Rise Academic Empowerment and previously supported CASA of San Mateo County. Whether through fostering, volunteering, or board service, she’s passionate about helping animals and supporting underserved communities.