ABOUT UNDERDOGS ANIMAL RESCUE
Underdogs Animal Rescue is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) non profit all-breed animal rescue. We are dedicated to changing the perception of the “underdog” – the forgotten ones, the misunderstood ones, the ones that get picked last (or don’t get picked at all). We give these longshots the opportunity to beat their odds, confident that they will prove that the underdog is the best dog, every single time.
All of our underdogs (and a few cats) are saved from overcrowded partner shelters and rescue groups, where they would have otherwise not received a much-deserved second chance. Our adoptable animals are placed in foster homes, which allows us to continue working on socialization and basic training, and to assess best-fit placements for our adopters. We believe that adoption, education, advocacy, and community partnerships are our best chance at solving the pet overpopulation crisis in our country and beyond. Underdogs seeks to continually expand our team of heroes. Please join us today, we have so many more lives to save!
meet the team
Megan
Founder & Director
A passionate believer in the Underdog and the power of the bond between animals and humans to change the world for the better, Megan founded Underdogs Animal Rescue in 2015 with the goal of helping to save the lives of homeless companion animals who are too often overlooked on account of breed bias, age, medical and behavioral needs, and even color.
Megan is a former attorney turned full-time self-proclaimed “weird dog lady” who has been rescuing animals in need for over ten years. In 2007, Megan rescued the original Underdog, Frank, a black lab/pit bull mix puppy, and the world’s best dog, from a rural town in Colorado, where he was found abandoned in a blizzard. Since then, she has saved hundreds of dogs (and a few cats) and has committed her life to proving that every animal is an individual, every life is worth saving and true change is possible through teamwork, education and advocacy, and good old-fashioned rescue hustle.
A native of Grand Haven, Michigan, Megan graduated from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and the University of Denver School of Law. She currently lives in Boulder, Colorado with her significant other, Jack, their three resident mutts, Frank, Frannie, and Fiona, and an ever-revolving crew of Underdogs fosters.
Kate
Marketing & Social Media
A Content Strategist by day and a dog champion by day, night and every time in between, Kate grew up with dogs in her native Connecticut and spent a decade living abroad, daydreaming about having a dog of her own. But her rescue story begins with a chaotic Open House at a local shelter on the East Coast, where Kate's partner, Greg, was able to recall a cute pup he had seen on their website and asked to meet her. Three hours later, they were home with their sweet mini pittie-mix, Duckie. Upon their relocation to Colorado, Kate found Underdogs while exploring fostering opportunities and when they saw an Instagram post about a terrified dog named Boo Radley needing a foster home, the rest is history. This trio is a very proud foster family for Underdogs and Kate also jumps in to assist wherever needed - social media, fundraising, foster searches, transport. If a dog needs help or a hug, you'll likely find Kate running to the scene with arms open (and Duckie trotting right behind her).
Talia
Foster & Training Coordinator
Talia is a Colorado Native that has loved animals ever since she can remember. As a young adult, Talia volunteered at her first animal shelter which opened her eyes to so many things. She ended up adopting 3 bully breed type dogs, one who is still with her today (Layla!). Layla and her shelter friends lit a fire in Talia and she knew her calling was to help animals in need. Talia is a wealth of skill and knowledge. She has worked at a board and train facility, a canine rehabilitation and conditioning group and most notably at a local animal shelter as the Behavior and Rescue Coordinator for many years. Talia is also a certified dog trainer and had the honor of studying under Jean Donaldson and The Academy for Dog Trainers for 2 years. Talia knows the ins and outs of animal shelters and rescuing and has created many great relationships and contacts through her tenure which helps tremendously with the Underdogs in need. She can relate to every aspect of rescue workers, foster parents and adopters as she has seen and done it all. Though she recently had to leave her career at the shelter after her and her husband relocated, she is eager to help Underdogs with any of their needs. When Talia isn't networking or saving dogs, she pursues her other passion of studying personal training and nutrition and will almost never miss an opportunity to go on an outdoor adventure or camping trip with her husband and Layla.
Sandra
Development Coordinator
Sandi was born and raised on a small farm in rural Wyoming. It was here that her love for animals began. Growing up, she raised orphaned lambs, stole barn cats from her neighbors to "raise them as her own," once tried to save a dying duck by giving it CPR that she wasn't trained to do (which might be the reason it didn't make it), and in college saved a half-hatched wild gosling from a dog and raised it in her apartment! Since moving to Colorado, her rescue feats are a little more focused on canines. She joined Underdogs in 2016 in order to play a bigger role in rescue missions. Her home-based assistants to this job include a usually cooperative husband, Craig, her never-helpful canines, Sully and Breslin, and most recently a newly hired but still in training daughter, Hollis.
Maureen
Marketing & Events
Born outside of Chicago, but a transplant to Singapore and now Colorado, Maureen volunteers as our marketing and events producer. Her love of animals started at a young age, growing up with numerous pets and rescue pups throughout her life. She has been involved with many nonprofits, but found her niche with animal rescue and is thankful that her passion for dogs can now extend past her own two rescues, Claude Monet and Tucker, and have an even larger impact. Maureen is a producer and brand strategist and loves bringing this background to Underdogs.
