🐾 Meet the People of Napa Humane: Ezjra Sander-Hewitt

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind Napa Humane’s compassionate work with our community’s most vulnerable pet owners, meet Ezjra Sander-Hewitt, our dedicated Community Case Manager.

Ezjra is a lifeline for unhoused individuals who access Abode Services and have beloved pets by their side. Their work takes them to five shelters and permanent supportive housing sites across Napa County each week. There, they connect clients with critical services like spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, microchips, flea meds, emergency vet care, food, supplies, grooming, and basic dog training—everything a pet needs to live a healthier life.

“I love the support from my boss, the program as a whole, and the clients I see every day,” Ezjra shares. “The most rewarding part of my job is hearing their stories.”

Ezjra’s impact is deeply felt—both in the lives of the animals they help and the people who care for them. One standout success story? The journey of “P” and their dog Baby Girl.

Beyond their professional expertise, Ezjra is a true animal lover. Their home is filled with furry (and finned) friends—Fox, Opie, and Bean, their trio of indoor cats, plus Onyx, a once-feral porch cat who now enjoys pets, a heated pad, and a fluffy bed. They also have a rescue fish and a few shrimp that keep the fish entertained!

Their passion for animal welfare runs deep—Ezjra became a vegetarian at just seven years old, and has spent much of their adult life in vet med, wildlife rehab, and exotic animal care.  Napa Humane has been lucky to have Ezjra as part of our team since 2018!

“I’ve worked with coatis, hedgehogs, eagles, peacocks, bats, coyotes, and hundreds of songbirds,” they say. “I’ve even been sprayed in the face by a skunk!”

Fun fact: Before joining Napa Humane, Ezjra worked in construction, building sustainable, eco-friendly homes in the Pacific Northwest. They’re also an artist at heart who loves printmaking, watercolor painting, and ceramics.

When asked what animal they’d be, Ezjra says, “Maybe a macaw or a dolphin—a creature that lets me do something humans can’t, like fly or swim freely. I’d also want to be in a strong community—I thrive in those kinds of environments.”

And if there’s one thing they wish more people knew about Napa Humane?

“That we exist—and that our spay/neuter services cost less than what it takes to provide them. Thanks to generous donations, we’re able to keep services affordable for our community.”

We’re so lucky to have Ezjra’s compassion, experience, and creativity on our team—and so are the countless people and pets whose lives they touch every day.