Our Team

Founder/Public Relations DirectorFred Campos

Fred became obsessed with pugs before starting elementary school when he would visit his grandmother and play with her pugs.  His first pug, Pugsley, affectionately known as Sluggo,  became the inspiration to start DFW Pug Rescue.

He started DFW Pug Rescue Club in 1996 but the club did not “takeoff” until he appeared on TV in 1997 with his pug, Pugsley, dressed as “Pug-a-ham Lincoln with a beard, top hat, and bow tie to promote the first Pug-O-Ween to raise funds for veterinary care.

Fred was the first ultimate foster failure.  The first rescue pugs that came into his house decided to adopt him and immediately he was a 6-time foster failure. It took approximately ten months before the first foster volunteer was recruited to save Fred from the “foster failure syndrome.”

Fred is a United States Marine Corps veteran and enjoyed a career selling IBM software to corporations.

Watching DFWPRC grow over the past 27+ has been a joy and DFWPRC is blessed to have so many dedicated volunteers. Fred’s commitment to pug rescue has positively impacted the lives of many pugs and their families. 

Operations Director / Adoption Coordinator –  

Jan Jones

Jan retired from the HR field in June, 2011. Her good friend, Patti Kidd, made her aware of DFWPRC in August, 2011 when she asked Jan to go with her to get two pugs from an owner in Ft. Worth that had them for sale on Craigslist. She had already contacted DFWPRC to see if they could take them and got them to the group. Jan began as a transport volunteer with DFW Pug Rescue in early 2012, and took over some administrative duties as well. At the time, she had 3 dogs and 2 cats, all rescues, but none of them were a pug.

She didn’t volunteer to foster originally because she was afraid she’d cave in and knew that she had plenty of pets to love and care for at the time. However, when DFWPRC brought in 37 pugs in March, 2013, Jan volunteered to simply help keep the cages cleaned out, and change out food and water, BUT, this one little pug kept watching her every time she walked by, and the rest is “history”. DFWPRC didn’t have enough fosters at the time, so she volunteered to foster Shania until she was released from medical hold, but when that time came, Jan knew Shania had chosen her and was already home!

In 2020, Jan foster-failed again and adopted Butterfly.

Finance DirectorKarolyn Gorham

Karolyn’s obsession with pugs began in 1997 when she got “Charley” for Christmas. Earlier that year her husband forgot her April birthday and was so upset with himself that he decided to spend the remainder of the year making it up to her. She has recieved a lot of spectacular gifts, fun trips and outings but the ultimate gift was Charley. The moment Ken walked into the house with him and Charley raised his clunky head and looked at her with his adorable face, she was smitten – total obsessive love! When Charley was a year and half old they decided he needed a pug
playmate and they found DFW Pug Rescue. They adopted Rocky (Dougie) and Karolyn made the decision that she would volunteer for the group after she retired. That became a reality in 2007. Meanwhile, Rocky had died at 12 years old and Karolyn rescued Miss Tootie on her own.

In 2007 she began transporting and fostering, went from two pugs to six and became the group’s President in 2009. After a couple of years, the decision was made to expand the board and Karolyn became the Financial Director.

Over the years Karolyn and her husband have fostered a lot of fascinating, wonderful pugs. There were sad times when Charley died at 16, Shasta at 14, Mighty Max at 14 and Miss Tootie at 13 but they were blessed by their time with them. Karolyn currently lives in Plano with her husband and two pugs, Crickett (10), Lola (12) and Ozzy (11) our mini Schnauzer.

Advisory Director  – Crissy Mondragon

Crissy found DFW Pug Rescue in 2013 when she and her husband decided their young pug boy needed a playmate. Crissy’s husband had always wanted a pug, and they found their first in Stephenville in 2010 and have
been smitten ever since! Unfortunately, their sweet pug angel was very particular about his new playmate, which led to the abandonment of adopting another. Soon after, a Director called to ask about doing a few home visits. That led to assisting with foster application processing, foster team leading, and transporting, to being Foster Director and now Operations Director.

After volunteering to pick up a pug near Lubbock and agreeing to keep it over the weekend, the search for a playmate was over, and a new family member was adopted! Picky pug boy shared his toys and found a new snuggle buddy.

In her free time, she can be found in her greenhouse/garden, firing up the kiln for ceramics and playing with her furry critters.

Volunteering for DFW Pug Rescue and watching rescued pugs blossom is a great feeling, along with witnessing the teamwork and friendships that result from everyone coming together with the same goal is as good as it gets!

Adoption Director / Intake Medical Coordinator – Susan Chapman

Susan Chapman has been with DFW Pug Rescue over 15 years. She started rescue as a foster parent but after 2 foster failures her husband told her to find another role!  She has served in several positions in our rescue.  The first being Foster Director, and currently, she works as our Medical Director and Adoption Counselor.  Before coming to DFW Pug Rescue, Susan worked as an Adoption Coounselor with the SPCA.

When Susan’s oldest daughter got a pug, she was smitten. She got one of her own and then another…she was hooked! After attending her first Pug-O-Ween she took a step to volunteer.

If you talk to Susan during the week day hours you will probably hear children in the background.  She watches her young grand-daughters daily.  Susan and her huaband Mike have had 6 pugs in the past years, 4 being from DFW Pug Rescue.  They currently share their home with two dogs; Rocco, a pug mix and DFW Pug Rescue alum, and their rescued French Bulldog Gabby.

DFW Pug Rescue is more than a volunteer opportunity for Susan, it’s a passion. To help these wonderful creatures get a second chance at life is so worth it!

Intake  Director – Judith Wells

Judith and her husband, Gary, discovered DFW Pug Rescue after they found an elderly pug dumped in their front yard one cold winter morning before Thanksgiving about 10 years ago. Although, they posted notices in their neighborhood and checked with DFW Pug Rescue, they could not find the pug’s owner. After a matter of days, Judith and her husband were hooked. They loved Weezie and the rest is history. When they decided
to get a second pug, they immediately turned to DFW Pug Rescue. It wasn’t long after adopting their beloved Ranger that they became volunteers and then soon followed as foster failures. Judith and her husband, Gary, love giving pugs a second chance at a wonderful life.

They do so in loving memory of their first pug – Weezie.

Foster Director / Foster Medical Coordinator  – Mary Jane (MJ) McKenna

Mary Jane (MJ) McKenna had her first experience with DFW Pug Rescue Club (DFWPRC) in 2011. While visiting a local Petco to pick up food for her rescued mini-dachshund mix, she happened upon a DFWPRC adoption day. She had been considering getting another dog as a pal for her now 8-year-old, Hershey. But, what she didn’t know, her life would be forever changed. This little black one ½-year-old Chug stole her heart, and after a quick home visit and introductions of the dogs, Guiness (Pino) became part of the family. Not a day went by when that little ball of love didn’t make her laugh out loud.

Fast forward to 2019, MJ retired from a rewarding nursing career and lost her beloved Hershey at the age of 17. It was time to think about a friend for Guiness (G). She again turned to DFWPRC, and timid Nash joined us. With time on her hands, MJ decided to volunteer for DFWPFC and has been actively transporting, fostering, volunteering, and pug-sitting ever since. Along the way, she foster-failed three times, and Maggie Mae, Bessie Lou, and recently TyTy rounded out the family. They are all pug mixes of the black & and tan variety. They all certainly look related! She lost her beloved Guiness suddenly six months ago, but that only made her reflect on those beautiful years she had with him and reinforced the need to continue to help the pugs. Volunteering for DFWPRC has been rewarding, and she is thankful for the many wonderful people committed to “Leave No Pug Behind.”

Communications Director – Katlyn Donnell

Katlyn’s journey with DFW Pug Rescue began in 2019 when she first crossed paths with the organization while serving as the Director of Operations at Vickery Place Animal Hospital. In August 2022, her family bid a heartfelt farewell to their beloved dog, Wolfgang, a Doberman mix. In the subsequent months, Katlyn began to sense her family was ready to embrace the idea of fostering for DFW Pug Rescue. 

Her initial foster, Frank, barely spent 24 hours at her home before it became clear he was there to stay. Frank’s presence in her life ignited a deep love for pugs within Katlyn, inspiring her to take a more active role in supporting the rescue. This newfound passion led Katlyn to open her home as a weekend retreat for pugs in need whenever veterinary offices were closed, creating a truly rewarding experience. 

However, Katlyn’s desire to contribute even more to the rescue grew. After months of collaboration efforts, DFW Pugs acknowledged Katlyn’s unwavering dedication, leading to her invitation to join their board as the Communications Director. In this pivotal role, she will take the helm of the social media team, leveraging her profound expertise in team leadership to advance the organization’s mission.

Donation Coordinator – Bertha Santellano

Bertha has loved Pugs from the time she was a teenager and loves their sweet squishy faces and bodies. She got her first pug, Squish, in 1991 and soon Blackie and Squash joined the pack. She enjoys her pug’s personalities and enjoys raising them along with her three kiddos. She also adopted a couple of mixes that needed homes, a beagle mix given to her family by a friend and a cocker mix surrendered by her stylist. 

Bertha started following the DFW Pug Rescue Club shortly after moving to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in 2011. Due to her work commitments, she was unable to volunteer but now her current job allows her more time and freedom to volunteer. She volunteered in May 2022 to transport, and foster, and became one of the donation coordinators. 

She and her spouse Vaughn also adopted a sweet little angel Alice, who earned her wings too soon. Alice melted her heart and blessed her family with a wonderful beginning to this adventure. 

Bertha’s day job is in supply chain management, and in her spare time, she enjoys art, hiking, climbing, and riding with her kiddos, grand kiddos, and fur kiddos. She looks forward to continuing to be a part of the rescue club and adopting, once again.

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About DFWPRC

dfwprc_sidebar_aboutlogoDFW Pug Rescue Club, Inc., (DFWPRC) was founded in early 1996 and Incorporated in July 1997 as a charitable, non-profit corporation for the rescue, care, and placement of unwanted, mistreated, or homeless pugs.  DFWPRC is one of the largest pug rescue organizations in the United States and has rescued and placed thousands of pugs. We rescue all purebred pugs regardless of age or medical condition.   At least 90% of our annual expenses are for veterinary care.

No Pug Left Behind.

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Help us rescue ALL pugs regardless of age or medical condition. Even the smallest one-time donation can make a difference. Please donate and help other pugs have a second chance at life.

CONTACT US

DFW Pug Rescue Club, Inc.

P.O. Box 2591
Grapevine, TX 76099-2591
Phone: 817-481-2004 (Messages Only)

a Non-Profit 501c3 Corporation