Pugnation Los Angeles

S A V I N G

ONE PUG

AT A T I M E

P U G N A T I O N L A . O R G

table of contents About.

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Mission..

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How Are We Different?. .

Looking Ahead. .

Building Fund. .

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Meet The Team. .

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Meet The Team. .

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Contact Information. .

Board of Directors. .

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Board of Directors. .

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Donation and Naming Opportunities Menu.

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Donation and Naming Opportunities Menu.

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Success Stories - Bella.

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Success Stories - Binkie.

Success Stories - Bart. .

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Pug Nation Rescue Alumni.

Social Media and Contact.

about

Pug Nation is a 501(c)(3) rescue founded in 2011 after a former California-based pug rescue closed its doors suddenly, leaving its 75 plus pug residents at risk. A few core volunteers sprang into action and quickly formed Pug Nation Rescue to ensure these pugs had a safe, loving place to call home. Since then, Pug Nation has been dedicated to rescuing and adopting out pugs and pug mixes regardless of age, medical status or special needs.

Since its inception, Pug Nation has rescued and adopted out 1,667 precious souls and counting! The organization has 12 employees dedicated to caring for its pugs at its facility and averages about 250 rescues and adoptions per year. Pug Nation Rescue is a registered California nonprofit charitable corporation; it is tax exempt under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).

mission Pug Nation is committed to rescuing pugs in need, providing medical care and placing them in a forever home. If no home can be found, we pledge to provide a comfortable and loving place where pugs can live out their lives.

W W W.PUG N ATIO N LA .O RG

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how are we different?

Pug Nation is different from many other organizations because: n

We focus on the neediest of pugs. We pride ourselves on always being there for the most vulnerable dogs—seniors, special needs and pugs with serious health issues. We also provide our dogs with excellent vet care and train our staff to handle special diets, medication, physical therapy, expressing bladders, etc.

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Our private facility allows us to rescue pugs without delay; we have our own isolation unit for incoming pugs that may have communicable diseases and will have plenty of space for any pug in need.

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We have developed a highly-engaged volunteer program to support our mission. We are particularly proud of our HiPPo program (Honorary Pug Parent), which allows volunteers to act as a “parent” to a pug at our facility that is waiting for its forever home. HiPPos provide love, comfort, peace and fun for dogs in need while serving as a champion in helping “their” dog get adopted by socializing and marketing them via social media.

looking ahead Our vision is to revitalize our new building and create a positive, functional atmosphere for our pugs and staff. We feel it is important to establish a forever home for Pug Nation and the special, high needs pugs that may never be adopted.

Additionally, we would like to expand our education on rescue and pugs in particular so potential adopters understand the special needs of this breed. We would also like to focus on our special needs and senior pugs and improve on their adoption rates.

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building fund

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PUG NATION RESCUE OF LOS ANGELES BUILDING FUND 2020 We are so grateful and fortunate to have been gifted a building - now we have to work hard to build a fund in order to keep it operational and sustainable for years to come. We are thrilled to have a permanent location as security for our Pugs; the ones that are awaiting homes and the few that do not get adopted will now always have a place to live out their lives. As you know, the economy goes up and down and the proceeds from our many fundraising events throughout the year are never guaranteed. We also have a unique budgeting challenge as we never do know what medical costs may be around the corner. We may think we have plenty in reserve and two surgeries later, our funds may be depleted.

With your help, we’d like to raise extra funds to ensure that no matter what, we will be able to cover our operational costs. Sadly, over the last several years a few area pug rescues have folded and we have seen the need for our help expand to such areas as the Central Coast of California and even Las Vegas. Pugs far and wide are counting on us, and there is no end in sight. With growth and an excellent reputation comes increased responsibility and people from all over the U.S. and even in Canada contact us for help and we don’t want to leave even one Pug in need behind.

Please consider one of our Naming Opportunities to help Pug Nation weather the ups and down of the economy and still have a reserve for building and medical costs for our Pugs regardless of yearly fundraising efforts. The funds will be put aside and used for the following: n

Property Taxes

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General Maintenance / Repairs

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Building Insurance Premium

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Additional Equipment

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Increased Utilities

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Security System

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Unexpected Medical Costs

Thank you so much, we look forward to speaking with you regarding exciting donation opportunities.

get involved Donate via our website

www.pugnationla.org/home/

Volunteer application

www.pugnationla.org/home/volunteer-application/

Adoption application

www.pugnationla.org/home/adoption-form/

follow us Website

www.pugnationla.org

Facebook

www.facebook.com/PugNationRescueofLosAngeles/

Twitter

twitter.com/PugNationRescue

Instagram

www.instagram.com/pugnationla/

contact us Gwenn Vallone, Executive Director gwenn@pugnationla.org 310-327-7871

P.O. Box 484

Gardena, CA 90248

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meet the team

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IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE TO SAVE SO MANY PUGS! Meet the dedicated team that makes our rescue a reality: Gwenn Vallone, Executive Director As a founding board member, Gwenn left her full time job five years ago to focus solely on running Pug Nation and brings extensive rescue and operations experience to the team. Gwenn also serves as Board Chair and oversees every aspect of Pug Nation and serves as the main contact for the building and fundraising efforts.

Marissa Lanum, Dog Care Coordinator Marissa has been with Pug Nation for over three years and serves as our veterinary care liaison, ensuring that all our dogs receive the medical care and medication they may need. She is also responsible for keeping records on every dog we serve (no small feat) and is essentially gatekeeper for all the pugs that come in and out of our rescue. Marissa additionally runs our highly successful “HiPPo� (Honorary Pug Parent) program which matches volunteers with dogs needing extra attention.

Leslie has been with Pug Nation over two years, where she not only runs the kennel but also assists the director. Leslie is responsible for all aspects of the kennel, including overseeing the kennel workers, making sure all the dogs’ needs are met and the facility stays clean. Leslie works closely with Marissa to ensure the health and happiness of the dogs. She also handles correspondence, virtual house checks, merchandise and special projects like our annual calendar. Leslie is the glue keeping everything together at Pug Nation!

Debra Flaska, Volunteer Debra is one of our main shelter pullers and transporters and is an invaluable member of our rescue. At any given time, Debra will rush to a shelter and get a dog most in need or drive hours to pick up a dog for us. At times. it can be extremely challenging to get a dog out of a shelter, but Deb is as patient and dedicated as they come having pulled countless pugs and mixes from shelters far and wide.

Madeline Curtis, Volunteer Maddie patrols the Inland Valley for Pug Nation, keeping a watchful eye on area shelters and she never leaves a pug behind. She takes dogs from the shelters and fosters them at her home until they are ready to come to our facility and start their journey with us. She has filled a void for us in far to reach areas, and we are most grateful she’s out there fighting to get those pugs out of the shelters.

Pug Nation employs ten additional staff members who care for our pugs. These young people are incredible, and the compassion and care they show towards our pugs is unmatched. From dutifully cleaning the facility from top to bottom to administering meds, stretching and expressing paralyzed dogs, our staff does it all and the pugs are given the best care possible.

meet the team

Leslie Lemos, Facility Manager

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meet the team

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Linda Sheehan A founding Board Member who has been involved in rescue for many, many years. She loves her latest rescue, Petunia very much and Linda can be found at most of our adoption fairs running the table.

Lori Zech Lori is a founding Board Member who attends fairs, works behind the scenes coordinating our events and is famous for her prize baskets and amazing silent auction items. She has joint custody of Sophie, a beautiful rescue and recently adopted another little cutie, Tootsie. Lori has been active in rescue for many years.

Steve Springer Steve is a founding Board Member who is the silent strength behind most of our events. He has also been in rescue for many years and has a wonderful, large grumble at home. He also designs our mail pieces and contributes with his trademark signs for events and illustrated our awesome Pug Adoption Manual.

Shirl Ludwig Shirl is a founding Board Member and can be found wrangling Pugs at many of our adoption fairs. She’s also been in rescue for a very long time and is our go-to person in the San Fernando Valley. Shirl has a growing grumble and loves to adopt or foster our seniors that are most in need.

Jennifer is one of our newest Board Members and she continues to bring great energy to our events, house checks and was a force in creating our volunteer program. She and her husband, David, who helps us out quite a bit, are proud parents of two Pug Nation rescues, Cassie and Nala. You may have met Cassie at an event or Meet-up—she’s the Pug who runs over everyone’s toes with her wheelchair.

Michelle Nagel Michelle is also one of our newest Board Members who has brought a lot of energy to our organization and can be seen at most of our events, working very hard. Michelle adopted one of our sweetest rescues ever, Elsa, and sure does love that little girl. Michelle has infused Pug Nation with new donors and her positive energy is infectious.

meet the team

Jennifer Medina

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donation & naming opportunities menu

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In October 2019, Pug Nation was gifted a building located in Carson, CA and we are presently in our construction phase retrofitting the building for our needs. We couldn’t be more excited about having a permanent, forever home for our rescue and the pugs we save. With your help, we will be able to provide our pugs with a warm, relaxed, safe and loving environment, including: n

Free ranging suites that will provide a quiet, relaxed environment

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Ventilation system with air and heat as well as fresh air flow

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Large outdoor area for fresh air and daily exercise and sun bathing

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Increased isolation capacity in order to rescue more pugs from shelters

Please consider making a contribution towards our new Pug Nation Station and help us build an amazing environment for our pugs.

Tier 1 Donation Opportunities:

Tier 2 Naming Opportunities:

$100 Pug Tee Buddy Receive a limited, exclusive Pug Station Building t-shirt $250* Wall of Honor Your name will be part of an amazing mural that will be painted on the facility wall

$750 Individual Isolation Kennels - 6 available we can imprint a quote or dedication on the window of your kennel $1,000 In and Out Suites - 4 temporary short-term holding pens located in the rear of the facility $1,500 Pug Park Bench - 3 outdoor benches with plaques available $1,500 Private Pug Corrals - 11 smaller runs for those who don’t play well with others $2,000 Rub a Pug Wash Spas - 3 dog baths - 2 in main work area, 1 in isolation area $2,500 Sponsor our Wall of Honor Mural $3,000 Expectant Mother’s Den - whelping room for puppies $3,000 Isolation Intake Area $5,000 Isolation Room $5,000 Rainbow Bridge Memorial - where we will display paw prints and pictures of our pugs that have passed $5,000 Pug Nation Swag Section - store in our reception area $7,500 Canine Cantina - Food preparation main work area 1 $7,500 Conference Room / Meet and Greet $7,500 Pug Salon - grooming area $10,000 Senior Suite - Free range Suite 1 $10,000 Pug Paradise Suite - Free range Suite 2 $15,000 Pugs in the Park - Outside area $20,000 Reception - Front

*$250 is minimum donation, any donation amount will be appreciated

In order to register and pay for Tier 1 donation opportunities, please: 1. Send a check to Pug Nation, PO Box 484, Gardena, CA 90248 with a note as to which opportunity you would like and the display name.

2. Call our office at 310-327-7871 with your credit card details.

3. Donate via PayPal at: pugnationla@aol.com Please specify your preferred donation opportunity and display name.

4. Donate via Venmo at: venmo.com/PugNationRescueOfLosAngeles-LA 5. Use the link below and select your preferred donation option.

https://app.donorview.com/v0N6

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In order to register for a Tier 2 naming opportunity, please call Pug Nation Rescue director Gwenn Vallone at 310-327-7871. You can also reach Gwenn via email gwenn@pugnationla.org.

Thank you for helping us save pugs in need!

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Before Bella arrived at our rescue, she was described to us as one third penguin (as she walked using only her back legs), one third baby seal and one third pug. Once we met her, we realized Bella was the most unique, inspiring and incredible pug we’ve ever rescued.

From what we know, nine months before we rescued Bella she had injured one of her elbows and her family took her to the vet for help. The elbow was repaired, and they were under strict instructions to limit her activities. However, they did not, and she injured her elbow again. This pattern went on for some time and, finally, the vet suggested Bella stay with him since the family was not caring for her properly.

They left her at the vet for over nine months. We knew Bella deserved a chance and urged the family to relinquish her to us. We placed her with a trusted foster of ours immediately and after a few consultations, our vets decided she would be much more comfortable and happy if we removed both of her painful arms. So, Bella had a double amputation.

Meanwhile, her foster Wendy knew from the first moment she met Bella that she loved her and wanted to adopt her. Bella made an incredible recovery from her surgery and is finally living a pain free, active, happy and very full life.

success stories

BELLA

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success stories

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BINKIE What can be more upsetting than a tiny blind pug girl who was unwanted, roaming the streets alone and being impounded? Well, after we rescued Binkie from the shelter it was alarming (to say the least) when we found out this little girl with no eyes was pregnant!

But, Binkie was a joy. She mapped out the Station and quickly became a staff and visitor favorite.

Terry and Peggy saw her on one of our live broadcasts and contacted us immediately. They have had blind dogs before and wanted her badly. Once approved, they drove all the way from Vegas to pay her a visit and patiently waited as she gave birth and took care of her puppies.

Binkie was so tiny that by the time she was ready to give birth she seemed more wide than long! Her labor and birth turned into a drama in itself— after successfully delivering her first puppy, the second got caught in the birth canal and we had to rush her to the emergency vet. Sadly, puppy #2 didn’t make it, but the vets were able to save #3 and #4 through C-Section. Yikes, what an ordeal.

In true Binkie form, she rose above her circumstances yet again and was a great momma to the pups. Although we were sad to see her go, we were thrilled to adopt out Binkie and two of her little pups to Terry & Peggy, and the third pup to another loving family.

Bart was relinquished to a nearby shelter in June 2018; he was only about six years old but already exhibiting signs of back end weakness, and we believe his owner gave up on him. Not many people are willing to adopt a dog that has trouble walking.

After being in our care for only about a week, the poor guy couldn’t walk at all. It was heartbreaking and alarming. Bart could barely lift his head to drink water. But, there was something in his eyes— something that told us he was a fighter. We took Bart to our best neurologist in July 2018 and he told us with surgery, he thought Bart could walk again. It’s always a gamble, but we really wanted to give this boy a chance.

Bart had an MRI and subsequently back/neck surgery. A month later, he still was not walking and we were a bit discouraged. Then the miracle happened—over Labor Day weekend, Bart got up and started walking around! Over the next month or so, he kept getting stronger and started running around like he owned the place.

It gets better! Shanna, who lives in Utah, saw Bart’s story and beautiful face online and fell for him.

In October (four months after arriving at Pug Nation), Bart hitched a ride to Vegas with our amazing foster/volunteer Amy, and Shanna picked him up and took him to his forever home. He’s doing great—walking even better as time goes on— and is adored by his new family and doggie siblings.

success stories

BART

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follow us Website

www.pugnationla.org

Facebook

www.facebook.com/PugNationRescueofLosAngeles/

Twitter

twitter.com/PugNationRescue

Instagram

www.instagram.com/pugnationla/

contact Gwenn Vallone

Executive Director

gwenn@pugnationla.org

310-327-7871

P.O. Box 484

Gardena, CA 90248

P U G N A T I O N L A . O R G