Our Story

Matthew Albert, founder of Against All Oddz, began his advocacy in 2007 at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, leading efforts against animal cruelty and dog fighting rings.

Transitioning to private practice, he continued fighting for animal rights, successfully litigating cases involving police shootings of dogs. Albert's legal victories significantly reduced such incidents in Buffalo and nationwide.

Committed to animal welfare, he volunteers for rescues and promotes veganism. Through Against All Oddz, Albert combines legal expertise with rescue efforts, aiming to enact laws against factory farming and puppy mills.

Eileen’s animal rescue journey began in New Orleans, LA in 2006. At that time, Eileen was doing volunteer work to clean up after Hurricane Katrina.

One day, she found an abandoned puppy in a house that she was working on and brought the puppy back to her camp that night. Eileen and the puppy, who she named NOLA, eventually made their way back north to Buffalo, NY and Eileen adopted the puppy to a very loving family.

Since that day, Eileen has continued her commitment to animal welfare by volunteering, fostering, and fundraising for various animal wellness organizations all over the world (such as Soi Dog in Phuket, Thailand, Kenya SPCA in Nairobi, Kenya, International Primate Rescue in Pretoria, South Africa, Kannan Animal Welfare in New Delhi, India, Kyrenia Animal Rescue in Arapköy, North Cyprus, and Operation Paws for Homes in Washington, DC… just to name a few.)

In addition to her work with animal welfare organizations, Eileen is a proud University at Buffalo alumna. She currently serves as President-elect for the University at Buffalo Alumni Association (UBAA) Board of Directors and chairs the Engagement Committee for the Board’s Executive Committee. Eileen has been on the UBAA Board of Directors since 2018.

For her day job, Eileen is a federal employee with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, DC. She is a Community Affairs Program Specialist and works on a program which offers financial education and resources to economically vulnerable communities. She has worked with the Bureau since 2014.

In her spare time, Eileen loves to travel, spend time at the AAO sanctuary, and eat delicious vegan food.

Hi, I’m Kim, the volunteer coordinator. I was first introduced to AAO when a lady called me to help her with her German Shepherd, Forest.

I found Matt, the Director of AAO on Facebook. He found a trainer for Forest and the lady was able to keep him, keeping her from having to surrender him. He most definitely would have been euthanized.

After that I found out that Matt was having the first orientation at the Darien Center location. That was in 2020. I've been here since then. I was rescuing one dog at a time because of a dog that was euthanized at another facility that was a "NO Kill" shelter. She didn't do anything to deserve that. I promised myself that her death would not be in vain and I would do everything I could to make sure that didn't happen again.

People failed her and she had no voice. I am at AAO because I want to be that voice.

Hi! Im Haley. I'm newer here at AAO, but felt right at home since day one.

I’m currently enrolled in Animal Behavior Institute to become a Certified Canine Trainer. I mostly work with the sanctuary dogs, teaching them new tricks and working on different behaviors.

I have 4 dogs of my own that have all been rescued and come with their own unique stories. I have trained extra hard to transform my once a stray dog from a crazy hyper jumpy one into a more respectful dog with manners. I realized then I had a new love and interest for training and behavior. I deeply enjoy the human - canine bond and love watching dogs blossom to their full potential.

Everyday I am presented with new opportunities and knowledge here at AAO. I feel like I’m living a dream being able to be apart of the team and helping out. The dogs need us now more than ever.  

“Your dog is not being a problem, your dog is having a problem“ - Chad Mackin  

My name is Shannon and I've been here and part of the AAO family since the spring of 2024.

After moving down the road from the sanctuary and literally walking around aimlessly most days, I decided to start volunteering here and walk with a purpose. Working with these dogs has been such a tremendous blessing, they have helped in healing my own personal struggles and I'd like to think in some way, I have had a healing influence in their lives as well.

I feel both honored and blessed to have a relationship and work with these beautiful souls, giving them the best life they can possibly have, meeting everything from their physical needs to their emotional needs daily that they are so deserving of.

AAO has opened many doors for me and as time goes on, I'm excited to see the possibilities that present themselves as I grow as a person, acquire more skills, and how I can help this wonderful organization grow to be everything it can possibly be.  

Outside of the sanctuary I am a mom to an amazing daughter who likes to come play with the sanctuary cats, I play and care for our Pug and two rabbits, and read "psychological thrillers" as well as various detective series by British authors. I also have a huge passion for nature and minimal tech/media living.  

"Sit with animals quietly
And they will show you their hearts

Sit with them kindly
And they will help you locate yours"