Our Team

Rochester Rascals is 100% volunteer-run, including our all volunteer Leadership Circle. We have no physical location - all of our animals are in loving foster homes.

  • A woman smiling in sunglasses kneeling outdoors with two Doberman dogs, one wearing a green plaid bandana and the other a red plaid bandana, in a snowy landscape with a large bare tree behind them.

    Veronica Smith

    Leadership Circle, People & Pack Leader

    Veronica and her husband Bill began fostering in 2018, inspired by Veronica’s dad, who adopted a dog that was just moments from euthanasia - saved only because a foster family said yes.

    Wanting to pay that life-saving kindness forward, they opened their home to one dog… and that “one” turned into hundreds saved over years.

    Veronica is our “pack leader,” not just for all of our dogs, but for our people as well.

  • A woman with blonde hair styled in a bun, smiling, holding two small dogs, one brown and white with a blue bandana, and the other gray with a pink collar, inside a room decorated with framed pictures on the wall.

    Lindsay McMullen

    Leadership Circle, Paws & Policy Lead

    “Here for the dogs (the humans? well…) I have two doodles, one daughter and zero work-life balance.

    Frankie Rose and Rupert (the doodles) run my house. My daughter runs my heart. Sarcasm is my love language and tattoos are my therapy.

    I helped found Rochester Rascals because apparently “adopt every dog” wasn’t a viable personal strategy. But it is now!”

    Lindsay wrangles the behind-the-scenes chaos; handling everything from organizational details & compliance to the policies that keep the rescue running so that more pets can get the second chances they deserve.

  • Jess Baglio

    Leadership Circle, Whiskers & Welfare Lead

    Our resident feline health and behavior specialist who understands cats of all sizes - from the tiniest housecat to tigers! (no joke - Jess worked at a big cat sanctuary!)

    With years of experience reading feline behavior, Jess has learned that whether they weigh 5 pounds or 500, cats are going to do exactly what they want.

    At Rochester Rascals, Jess puts that expertise to work helping every cat feel safe, healthy, understood, and ready for their next chapter. We’re pretty sure there’s no feline attitude she hasn’t seen - and no cat she can’t charm.

  • A man with short hair and a beard holding a small, curly-haired puppy in front of red curtains.

    Michael Avery

    Leadership Circle, Fur & Finance Lead

    Michael’s love for philanthropy began at an early age, both as a donor and a community organizer, leading a life of service to both people and animals in need.

    He has served with animal rescues in India and in the US, including as Relationship Coordinator for a long-established rescue organization dedicated to saving and rehoming animals in need.

    Now retired from two successful careers, Michael combines his lifelong joy for giving with his love of animals as a founding member of Rochester Rascals.

Volunteer

Without you there are no success stories.

Every rescue, every adoption, every life saved begins with someone like you, willing to raise their hand.

Whether you have a few hours a month or a larger role to play, there's a place for you.

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  • adoption event support

  • transport to/from adoption events & vet appointments

  • transport timely medication and supplies to foster animals

  • community microchip clinics

  • donation pick-up

  • work from home administrative support (registering microchips, maintaining spreadsheets, organizing digital medical records, etc)

  • fundraising and sponsor solicitation

  • become a foster parent to an animal in need! - learn more here

Are you ready to help? We’re excited to hear from you!