The team at Ruger’s Rescues is a passionate group of individuals who share a common goal to help create a second chance for animals in need. Collaboratively, our team is dedicated to working tirelessly to ensure a positive difference. Each team member brings a unique perspective, and we welcome you to get to know us more!

Read more about Ruger, the dog who started it all, here.

Meet the Team

Jill Ostrove

Jill is the President and Founder of Ruger’s Rescues. By day, she’s an attorney and trains high-risk groups on sexual abuse prevention. As a lifelong animal rescuer, Pit Bull advocate, and former criminal prosecutor, Jill knows first-hand the overwhelming need for safe, stable, and loving homes for our most loyal.

Since she was a child, Jill has always focused her attention on helping vulnerable and at-risk populations, whether that is prosecuting animal cruelty cases, sending sex offenders to prison, volunteering on the Board of Directors for local nonprofits, working with victims of crime, helping the homeless population, or animal welfare.

Having a nonprofit animal rescue has been a lifelong dream. While Jill hopes that one day she will have a large property and proper shelter, she knew that there was a way to make an immediate impact and didn’t want to let that time pass. She promised Ruger that his death wouldn’t be in vain, and she intends to carry out that promise as long as she can.

Jill currently lives in sunny San Diego, California, with her 11-year-old pittie, Honey, and her 17-year-old orange tabby, Pumpkin.

Contact: Jill@RugersRescues.org

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

  • Judy Neufeld

    TREASURER
    Contact: Judy@RugersRescues.org

    Judy is an expert organizational and leadership development consultant, facilitator, and trainer and passionate about building high-performing teams, inspiring future leaders, and facilitating honest conversations necessary to take action towards making the world a better place. She holds degrees from top universities – her MBA from Crummer School of Business at Rollins College, and her BA from Tufts University.

    Judy is a cat-mom to a spoiled 16-year-old calico named Pumpkin. Pumpkin was rescued with her brother, Peanut, at only 6 weeks old. Judy is an elected City Councilor in Somerville, Massachusetts, where she lives with Pumpkin, her husband, and their new baby boy, Isaac. As a lifelong animal rescuer, Judy is excited to join the Ruger’s Rescues team!

  • Brandan Gonzalez

    SECRETARY
    Contact: Brandan@RugersRescues.org

    Bio coming soon!

  • Rosie Mejia

    OFFICER
    Contact: Rosie@RugersRescues.org

    Rosie’s passion for rescue animals began when she adopted her German Shepard, Maverick. Rosie was the fourth home in the first year of his life and he was absolutely terrified of her at first. Within the first three months, he became so much healthier, discovered the joy of dog toys, and learned to be the biggest cuddle bug. Although he is still terrified of new faces and considered more often than not, a restricted breed, he is the sweetest, clingiest, happiest and most loyal dog. He is a great example of why animals need a second chance.

    When they say that rescue dogs rescue you, it could not be a more true statement. Maverick truly changed Rosie’s life and made her realize that there needs to be more space for dogs like him to show how much they can offer to this world. She says that Maverick opened her heart, which in turn opened her home to welcoming four more paws. Rosie and her husband adopted Lexi the day after their honeymoon and they could not be more thrilled to have found an amazing senior. Rosie hopes she can continue to not only participate in finding a second chance for animals, but to also bring awareness about senior animals who need love too.