Kristopher (Kit) Wilgus (OWNER/DIRECTOR/MANAGER)
is a Hampton Roads native, born in Norfolk and raised in Chesapeake, VA. He was raised in a way that epitomized “Adopt Don’t Shop”. Kristopher’s family adopted all of his family dogs from rescues and SPCAs.
While living in South Florida for seven years, Kristopher rescued and adopted his first pit-bull from a well-known Palm Beach County Animal Rescue. Less than a year later, Kristopher rescued and adopted an American Bulldog from another well-known Palm Beach County Animal Rescue.
Upon relocating back to Virginia, Kristopher began volunteering for local rescues and SPCAs. In early 2012 he began working with multiple organizations rescuing, rehabilitating dogs, specializing in behavior modification, and socialization. Kristopher’s specialty with dogs is exercise.
He believes all animals have a purpose – Kristopher has four (4) amazing rescue dogs of his own.
Misty Collins (FACILITY DIRECTOR)
is a lifelong Peninsula resident. Ever since childhood, she was an animal advocate of all species. In the 2nd grade at recess when all of the other kids were on the playground, Misty would go visit Fred, her little “frog friend” in the courtyard. Since she was a teen, Misty began to volunteer at local animal shelters, offer to walk the neighbors’ dogs for free, feed strays and then some. This has been her lifetime trait. Every animal has been a rescue that she has shared her home with.
As a former Law Enforcement professional with extensive training and experience, Misty brings many talents to the table; she is a certified expert witness in Virginia and North Carolina for dog fighting cases and animal cruelty investigations a first responder through and through (her father was a firefighter) and never turns away from an animal (or human) in need.
She holds certificates from FEMA for animal emergency preparedness, Department of Criminal Justices Services, National and Virginia Animal Control Association and too many more to list. Misty also played an important role with the cities of Newport News and Hampton to ultimately get the BANNING of chaining dogs in those cities.
Misty has three (3) amazing rescue dogs including Russell Brand- a Border collie, Remington- a Great Dane-x and Wallace- a Walker hound-x.