Our Mission
WYCAP was formed as a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing all animal protection through education, training and legal advocacy.
Our Vision
WYCAP’s vision is to bring together Wyoming citizens to confront animal abuse, cruelty, neglect, exploitation and abandonment. We envision a Wyoming where public policies and laws demonstrate the value of keeping animals safe and healthy; we therefore strive to improve animal welfare through legal advocacy.
We support collaboration with community-based programs, public education of statewide organizations, and training of law enforcement in dealing with animal cruelty.
Our organization promotes science-based best practice standards of care and cruelty-prevention strategies. We seek to reduce the economic impact on communities responding to animal abuse, cruelty, and other animal-related criminal offenses.
Our Team
Board of directors
Rachel Hayes
President & Board Chair
Rachel Hayes has 20 years of experience in communications, strategy, branding, business development, and operations, with a background that spans Fortune 500 companies, startups, and nonprofits. As Chair of the WYCAP Board of Directors, she channels that professional breadth into building the infrastructure, visibility, and community partnerships that position WYCAP for lasting impact across Wyoming. Rachel loves to hike in the Snowy Mountains with her husband and three rescue dogs: Beya, Meka, and Kaia.
KARA PRATT, PhD
board member at large
Kara Pratt is an associate professor at the University of Wyoming in the Department of Zoology and Physiology. She and her graduate students study the development of the amphibian visual system. As a member of WYCAP, Kara’s main goal is to help develop and implement better approaches for protecting our wildlife and domestic animals. She lives with her cat and dog (both rescues) and interacts on a daily basis with a family of crows.
Sage Lefkowitz
Secretary
Sage Lefkowitz is an animal advocate and has been recently focused on the conflict between humans and wildlife.
Merav ben-david, PhD
treasurer
Merav Ben-David is an ecologist and former professor at the University of Wyoming, where she headed the Department of Zoology and Physiology. She has published more than 110 scientific papers and is known for applying innovative methods to track how environmental pressures shape animal behavior and diet. Merav has received numerous honors for her work, including the Barrett-Hamilton distinguished ecologist award and the Excellence in Wildlife Education award from The Wildlife Society.
