Who We Are

Wiggles Way Rescue was founded in 2025 to fill a gap in the DMV rescue community by focusing on middle-aged & senior Pit-Bull-type dogs at the Prince George's County Animal Shelter - one of the last localities across the United States with an active Pit Bull ban.

Wiggles Way operates based on 5 guiding principles: Fiscal Responsibility, Transparency, Communication, Appreciation, & Quality over Quantity. We believe in a rescue that supports & appreciates their invaluable volunteers while also maintaining realistic expectations for our operating capacity. This ensures that we can provide high-quality care to all of our volunteers & animals in the Wiggles Way family.

Why Wiggles?

This rescue was founded in honor of Wiggles, our founder’s first bully breed foster who showed her the loving personality that bully breeds so often embody. He left a big impression on her & her husband - leading her to create a rescue built on trust, love, & respect, in his name.

Wiggles is now happily living in his forever home but his imprint remains as it helped to start Rachel’s rescue journey. Wiggles Way Rescue will operate as a reflection of his personality, where we love hard, play hard, & rescue hard.

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

Mission Statement Mission Statement Mission Statement Mission Statement Mission Statement Mission Statement Mission Statement

At Wiggles Way Rescue, we provide compassionate care & second chances for animals from overcrowded shelters. Through thoughtful matchmaking, education, & ongoing support, we ensure every animal finds a loving home & every adopter feels empowered to create a lifelong bond.

Meet The Team

  • Founder/Director of Programs

    Rachel has been involved with animal rescue since January 2020 starting out as a foster parent. Her first foster was named Jenny. Rachel cried in a Petco parking lot after Jenny was adopted after less than 24 hours in her care.

    That was all it took for Rachel to jump head first into animal rescue. She quickly decided to become an Adoption Counselor & eventually became an Adoption Counselor Team Lead helping to get over 300 animals adopted through one rescue organization. She then moved on to serving as Program Manager for Adoptions at a rescue focused on behavioral &/or medically challenged animals. After being on the operations side & the foster side, Rachel decided to start her own rescue, Wiggles Way, focusing on middle-aged & senior Pits at the Prince George’s County, Maryland animal shelter.

    Rachel has three dogs & one cat all from Aruba - island animals are another passion! In addition to the four legged creatures that she cares for, she also is married to her high school sweetheart & together they have a toddler who can be frequently seen attending adoption events.

  • Director of Fundraising & Grants

    Since 2017, Lia has been a dedicated volunteer with DC-area rescues, starting as a foster — having cared for close to 30 fosters to date — & later serving as an adoption counselor. She is thrilled to merge her professional expertise with her passion for animal welfare.

    A proud 'pawrent' to Sid, her dopey Pit Bull mix, Lia is especially drawn to Wiggles Way for its advocacy & unwavering support of bully breeds & their owners.

  • Program Manager of Adoptions

    Melissa has been involved in animal rescue since her college years when she would convince her friends to come with her to volunteer as a dog handler at adoption events with the local rescue. Here, she found her passion for rescue & over the past 6 years has continued on to volunteer in various roles, including training several new adoption counselors & building a puppy adoption program with another rescue.

    Her chill Hawaiian mutt, Lilo, & her Lab mix, Arlo (the “problem child”), are her motivation to join the Wiggles Way team, so that she can advance their mission of giving middle-aged dogs a second chance at the life that they deserve. She loves working with adopters to find the perfect match for their home & lifestyle & believes there is a rescue out there for everyone, & a home for every rescue!

  • Program Manager of Foster Support

    Danae has loved dogs her entire life & spent years begging her parents for one - especially a bully breed. They always said no, so as an adult, she made up for it by welcoming four bully breeds into her life. Now, she happily lives in a “zoo” with her beloved pack.

    In 2023, she started fostering dogs, & by early 2024, began working with a different local rescue. Her passion for helping bully breeds has grown exponentially, & her basement has become a safe haven for countless foster dogs in need. She is thrilled to be part of Wiggles Way & to support its mission to advocate for & protect these amazing dogs.

  • Program Manager of Transportation & Training

    Kelly began her journey in 2020, starting as a foster with a local rescue. She not only opened her heart & home to adopt her rescue but still continued to foster. This hands-on experience deepened her commitment to animal welfare & led to her role as a foster case manager for a local rescue, where she coordinated & supported foster families.

    In 2024, Kelly transitioned to becoming a senior volunteer with the Prince George's County Animal shelter. Her dedication to helping animals find their forever homes eventually led her to the position of adoption counselor, where she guided prospective pet parents through the adoption process. Kelly has dedicated tens of hours to behavioral training courses & enjoys participating in scent work & tracking with her own dog.

    She’s eager to work with Wiggles Way Rescue since the older & bigger dogs deserve a loving home just as much as the other dogs!

  • Program Manager of Social Media

    After adopting her two dogs, Zeus & Lenny from rescues in South Carolina & Washington D.C., Ella knew she wanted to assist with the work rescue organizations do in the community for animals like her own.

    In her free time she fosters cats & develops media content. With a passion for advocacy in both her professional & personal life, she believes WWR will make a lasting impact on the lives of bully breeds & senior dogs often overlooked in the shelters.

Board Members

Jo Brecher - President
Sarah Meashaw - Vice President
Nora Belansen - Secretary
Georgia Wood - Treasurer
Nina Lewis - General Board Member