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 Pit-bull type dogs 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.

Program Manager of Adoptions - Cats

Anna has been an animal person her whole life and proudly considers herself a true “cat person.” She believes that whichever animal needs her most is exactly who she’s meant to foster next. Her journey into animal rescue began during her college years, when she took on the challenge of fostering and socializing feral kittens—a life-changing experience that turned a college side project into a lifelong passion.

Since then, Anna has continued to foster a wide mix of dogs and cats, from kittens/puppies to seniors, medical cases to shy and overlooked animals. She loves working closely with adopters to help them find their perfect match and believes deeply in thoughtful, ethical placements that set both people and pets up for long-term success.

At home, Anna shares her life with her dog, Nala, and three cats: Teddy, Lovey, and her senior boy, Hunter. Having a senior cat of her own has only deepened her love for older and special-needs animals and strengthened her commitment to giving them the second chances they deserve.

Volunteering with Wiggles Way has been an incredibly meaningful experience for Anna—not just because of the animals, but because of the amazing people and supportive community behind the mission. She believes that with patience, compassion, and the right match, every cat can thrive.

Program Manager of Adoptions - Dogs

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!