Call her Dr. Dolittle. (Short Stuff).

When Stephanie Maselli was 12, she found four cats on her doorstep. "They were my first rescue," she says. "They're still with me." Stephanie, now 18, has housed over 70 cats and dogs since then. Overcrowded animal shelters even call Stephanie for help. She's kept up to 15 animals in her house at one time, but that number is rare. Sure, Stephanie's parents get overwhelmed by all the pets in the house, but they're animal lovers too. "Two cats I have up for adoption were rescued by my mom!" she says. And her dad built a room for the animals, using a spare bedroom and part of the garage. When she hears of an abandoned animal, often through friends or neighbors, Stephanie isolates the new pet until it's treated by a vet because disease and pregnancy are big problems in the animal kingdom. Once the vet gives the animal a clean bill of health, Stephanie sets out in search of a loving home. She posts ads on petfinder.org and at her vet's office. Stephanie screens potential adoptive families and asks that they donate food, kitty litter or blankets to help her care for the other animals. Still, most of the pets' expenses are covered by her after-school job. The animals stay with Stephanie as long as it takes to find a home. "I cry when they leave, but I'm happy for them," Stephanie says. "They deserve a loving family." To donate supplies, e-mail her at [e-mail].