Get To Know Us

Bluegrass Pug Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit organization fully-supported by donations, proceeds from events, and through the work of its volunteers. None of our volunteers receive compensation for their efforts. Everyone within our organization donates their time because they have a passion for Pugs and believe every Pug deserves a loving, safe, and happy home. The organization has no affiliation with any breeders. 

Barb cAldwell - PRESIDENT & Secretary

Barb is an animal lover at heart and developed a fondness for pugs after adopting her first pug, Zulu, in 2003. Barb has been an active member in the Louisville community since moving here in 2009, volunteering for several non-profits. She began volunteering for BPR in 2017 and joined the board in 2018. Barb and her husband Jeremy have 3 fur babies (German Shepherd Lola & BPR Grads Luna and Addie) as well as 1 feathered baby, their Sun Conure, Chef. Barb earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Indiana University and currently works for Humana.

judy morris - VIce president & foster coordinator

Judy has been a Pug owner for decades.  Her husband, Gary, had a Rottweiler, which Judy loved, but she decided she wanted her own dog.  When her husband asked what type of dog she wanted, she immediately reflected on her childhood and said she wanted a Pug (also because that was the breed most opposite of a Rottie she could think of in a hurry).  Her first Pug unknowingly ended up being a rescue.  She and her husband answered an ad in the newspaper and once seeing the conditions of the 4 month old, knew they were going to leave with that puppy one way or the other!  Judy has had Pugs ever since.  Judy has worked in canine rescue for several years. 

paul gilles - treasurer

Paul lives in Louisville Kentucky with his rescued dogs (Henry - Pug, and a foster Pug or two or three).  Over the years, Paul has contributed many volunteer hours to animal rescue organizations, but Pugs are his passion!  Paul’s background includes current and previous work with other non-profit organizations, a career with AT&T in the finance field, an undergraduate degree from Hanover College, and a masters degree (MBA) from Indiana University.  Paul is a founding member of Bluegrass Pug Rescue, Inc.

Sam a. Mannino - process coordinAtor

Sam currently lives in Louisville, KY and works in the education sector. He has had a love for Pugs ever since he was a child, but didn’t get his first Pug until 2009. Sadly, that Pug, Tori, crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2021, but he currently has one lovable Pug at home, Penni, who keeps him busy with her wacky antics. He originally joined the Board in 2016, took a short leave and rejoined the Board in 2021. It is the group’s passion for helping Pugs that has gotten him back involved. He looks forward to many more years working with BPR and saving Pugs in need.

Becky leopold -Social media coordinator

Becky adopted her "gateway pug", Carson, in 2005 with an old boyfriend. Luckily, the relationship with the boyfriend ended, but her love of pugs has continued to grow! She lives in Newport, KY with her husband, human daughter, and two pugs, Marvin and Bella. There's usually a foster pug hanging around there too! Becky's favorite thing about working with BPR, besides saving pug-kind, of course, is the wonderful people she gets to meet. Pug people are her people!

sandy ferguson -events coordinator

Sandy lives in Lexington, Ky and has been involved with non-profit rescues since 2007. She has fostered, loved and adopted many since then. Pugs are her passion and give her a purpose.  She works for Bluegrass Care Navigators formerly Hospice of the Bluegrass.   Sandy is a founding member of Bluegrass Pug  Rescue, Inc. 

TISHA BANKS -VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Tisha lives in Winchester, Kentucky with her husband, 3 Pug babies (Loki, Binkie, and BPR Grad Chloe) and a 17yr old Calico (Lissie Kitty). Although she has had pets her whole life, she didn’t discover her love for Pugs until she met Sammie, her best friend’s boyfriend’s Pug 6 yrs. ago. She knew she had to have her very own (or 2 or 3). Tisha is the Facilities Cost/Asset Management Analyst at Toyota and spends her free time volunteering with BPR and building dollhouses.

Dwight cosby - legal advIsor

Dwight lives in Louisville Kentucky with Buddy, a pit bull mix that he rescued in 2019. Dwight loves dogs and truly developed a fondness and love for pugs because of Allie, a pug that his mother, Madeline Allen had for 17 years and 10 months. Dwight became interested in the Bluegrass Pug Rescue because of Madeline’s adoption of Gnocchi which gave Dwight awareness and insight into the purpose and mission of BPR. Dwight loves all things pits and pugs! Dwight earned his Associate of Arts from Kemper Military School and College, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kentucky and his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law and he is currently employed at Humana.