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
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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.
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Program Manager of Adoptions - Cats
Coming soon!
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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!
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Medical Coordinator
A life long animal lover, Megan has spent the majority of her life helping animals. From her childhood days of 4-H, to working in vet clinics through high school into her 20's, & now volunteering with animal rescues, she's a fierce advocate for all animals. Megan has worn many hats during her years of volunteering including dog walker, transportation assistant, foster, foster assistant, and vet care assistant.
During her time as a foster, Megan developed a passion for fostering seniors & hospice cases. Eventually, her home became known as the "retirement village." Her love for seniors led her to Wiggles Way Rescue as a medical coordinator. Her favorite part is seeing the "glow up" which frequently happens once a pet gets placed in a stable foster home with good nutrition, quality medical care, & tons of love. Megan uses her vast experience to help all of our animals get the care needed so they can live happy, healthy lives.
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Public Relations Coordinator
Coming soon!
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Social Media Coordinator
Bella grew up surrounded by dogs and always knew their life would revolve around working with them. When they left for college, the sudden lack of canine companionship felt overwhelming until they discovered Terps Raising Pups, a campus organization dedicated to training guide dogs and PTSD service dogs for the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs.
They quickly became involved and, after a year of committed training, were accepted into the leadership team, where they managed TRP’s social media presence among many other things. That opportunity opened the door for Bella to join Wiggles Way, further expanding their experience in the dog world.
Today, Bella continues to train with Terps Raising Pups while also raising and training their own service dog. Every step is preparation for their future career as a professional dog trainer. Bella cannot wait to change the world one dog at a time through training, fostering, and sharing love with every dog they meet.
Board Members
Jo Brecher - President
Sarah Meashaw - Vice President
Nora Belansen - Secretary
Georgia Wood - Treasurer
Nina Lewis - General Board Member