‘I’ve Never Looked Back! How Gwenn Vallone, 61, Quit Her Job to Save 3,700 Adorable Pugs
Her leap of faith turned into a mission that’s saved thousands of sweet, snorting pups
Key Takeaways
- Gwenn Vallone, 61, left her corporate career to rescue 3,700 pugs.
- The Los Angeles nonprofit has provided homes for pugs for 16 years.
- Gwenn says her special-needs pugs taught her patience and compassion.
After volunteering at an animal shelter, Gwenn Vallone gave up her corporate job to run her own rescue — and has since found homes for 3,700 pugs! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World.
“Oh my gosh!” Gwenn Vallone exclaimed between uncontrollable giggles as she sat on the ground surrounded by nearly a dozen wiggling puppies. After volunteering at various dog shelters, this was the first she’d been to that had pugs.
Something stirred in Gwenn’s heart as they frolicked in her lap and happily licked her face. She fell in love with the adorable creatures and even adopted one for herself.
For the next 5 years, Gwenn volunteered for a Southern California pug rescue while balancing running her own direct mail and data processing business. But when the owner became ill and could no longer care for the 100 pugs still up for adoption, Gwenn knew just what she had to do.
I have to start my own pug rescue and make sure none of these precious pups go without the love and help they need! she realized, feeling inspired.
Enlisting the help of other volunteers she worked with, she set her sights on renting a facility, establishing a nonprofit and moving forward with construction to make the building dog-friendly.
Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles was soon up and running. The organization not only took in 20 pups from the previous rescue but also acquired pugs from other area shelters. Word spread quickly and Pug Nation began adopting out its dogs.
By 2014, after balancing her business and her rescue for 4 years, Gwenn realized she had to make another big change.
I’ve got to take a chance and give up my business, Gwenn vowed.
Dedicating herself fully to the rescue, she set up fundraising events — like a Halloween Pugtacular, a doggie fashion show and frequent open house visits allowing the public to tour the facility and meet available dogs.
Today, Pug Nation has been going strong for 16 years and has 55 adult pugs and five puppies at its facility, with six in foster homes.
Because of the caring hearts of Gwenn and her volunteers, the rescue has rehomed 3,700 pugs and counting.
Gwenn also owns two pugs that came from the rescue — Louis and Clam — both of whom have special needs.
“These dogs have given me more purpose and have taught me perseverance, patience and compassion,” 61-year-old Gwenn says with a smile. “I never dreamed that my love for pugs would become a career, but even though it was a hard decision, I’ve never looked back.”
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