Volunteer Spotlight

Angela Pugliese

The Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah has inspired similar efforts throughout the country, including Our Companions, so it seems only fitting that it has inspired many of our volunteers to become a part of our effort. A perfect example is Angie Pugliese, who edits our website, creates new pages, and designs the Rescue Outreach notices, among other duties. In 2004, Angie says, she read a newspaper article about OC's plans. "I had just visited Best Friends Sanctuary a year before and had been saying to all my friends, 'That's what we need in Connecticut !' I absolutely knew that I'd be involved in the project." She went to one of the first volunteer meetings and filled out the forms that night. She was hooked.

"Anyone who knows me, currently and from the past, knows how much I love animals - all animals, not just domestic animals. I feel more comfortable and at peace with animals than with any human I have ever met. If I could, and it isn't totally out of the picture yet, I would live where I could be surrounded by animals. After visiting Best Friends and seeing for myself what a sanctuary can do for animals and also that a no-kill society can happen, it was a no-brainer that this organization was for me."

Angie's professional field is information technology (IT). For over 15 years, she has held various positions in the IT field, from her current role of supporting an internet email infrastructure and corporate collaboration tools for a local insurance company to supporting hardware, software, and network administration for a number of organizations, "but IT is not my passion - animal welfare and building a no-kill society is. It's just unfortunate that I need to make a living. I also have three furry roommates (two cats, Ally and Mika, and one dog, Holly) to support!"

Angie primarily taught herself the design aspects of her work for OC. "I've always had an interest in photography, but I never pursued that interest, and of course, then life just happened. When Photoshop came into existence, I gravitated to that application, and when I was laid off a couple of years ago, I enrolled in a graphic design program and took many classes that enhanced my self-taught skills."

Angie's role at Our Companions is behind-the-scenes, for the most part, but it is critical to our success, says Chief Executive Officer, Susan Linker. "A lot of folks take our website for granted, but it's hugely important to the organization. In a way, it's our organization's face and affects our entire image. It's largely Angie's contributions that keep it fresh and make it so good. Besides doing the bi-monthly website updates and Rescue outreach e-mails every two weeks, Angie mines the data to find out what people are interested in and how to make our site more interactive. She goes way beyond the call of duty, and that's typical of her."

Sometimes, Angie feels as if her part in OC isn't as important as, for example, the Helpline. "Those volunteers are at the front lines and are able to see the result of their work firsthand. But today's world is technology-based, and if we didn't have a website, we wouldn't be successful. We always direct people to our website for contacts and information. It is updated weekly with pets to adopt and monthly with programs we offer. I am adamant about keeping the website current with events and programs. So no matter how small we may sometimes feel that our contribution is, it really is important to our overall success."

Angie not only performs technical duties. She also participated in OC's ambassador program a couple of years ago and recently became a member of the Animal Welfare Federation of Connecticut. "I volunteer for as many events as I am able. During spells of unemployment, I was also able to volunteer in the office. This opened my eyes to the many, many things that go on behind the scenes and how busy everyone is to making the sanctuary a reality. I also take many of the photos at events so I can post web pages for past events. I think it shows people that not only do we work hard, we have fun, too!"

Whatever her professional life may bring, Angie's commitment to Our Companions is long-term. "I am in it for the long haul. I know that the volunteers with OC are dedicated and compassionate people. We have a vision and a mission. Connecticut needs an animal sanctuary, a place where needy pets can find safety and lasting peace. I have Buddhist beliefs at heart, which say that we should respect and cherish all beings. The OC sanctuary helps me live that belief."

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