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. 

Adriana Harris - PRESIDENT

Adriana lives in Louisville, KY with her husband and two elderly pugs (sometimes another foster). When she was a child, Adriana would always add pug to her Christmas list in hopes she would find one under the tree each year. It wasn’t until she moved to Louisville and applied to be a foster with BPR that she finally got her first pug. BPR’s mission and rescue work has significantly impacted her life, and she quickly wanted to become more involved with the organization. When she is not advocating for pugs, Adriana is advocating for her clients as a criminal defense and immigration attorney with Attum Law Office. 

judy morris - 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.

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. 

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.

Angie Hilen - Adoption Coordinator

Angie’s love for pugs started early, getting her first pug at the age of 10. Over the years, that love turned into a passion for rescue and animal welfare, which is how she found her way to Bluegrass Pug Rescue. Angie lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her golden retriever, Charlie, and her BPR pug mix, Crowley. Angie earned her undergraduate degree from Transylvania University and now works for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.