About Harley’s

Harley’s Animal Haven was established as a small, independent rescue organization in 2025. Harley’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide sanctuary to displaced, medically intensive and/or behaviorally troubled animals.  Our work is based in Connecticut.

Who is Harley?

Harley was the animal that influenced our founder, Angel, to pursue animal rescue and rehabilitation. Growing up, Harley was Angel’s best friend, and was by her side for the majority of her formative years. When Harley suffered a stroke at the age of 15, Angel was determined to nurse Harley back to health; it was the least she could do after all that Harley had done for her. Harley regained most of his strength, only to be diagnosed with cancer a short time later. In his final moments, Angel promised Harley she would honor his legacy by rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need. Less than a decade later, Harley’s Animal Haven was born.

Meet the Team

  • Founder, Executive Director

    Angel has loved helping animals since she was a toddler. She rescued her first cat at just a year and a half old, when she heard a kitten crying in her driveway and called to her mother to help the crying baby cat. From then on she sought to help every animal that crossed her path—at six years old, she started seeking out sick animals that were falling through the cracks at pet stores and bringing them home to nurse them back to health. At age 12, her beloved cat Harley was diagnosed with intestinal cancer after having a stroke and she did everything in her power to make his last few months as comfortable as possible. The night before he passed, she promised him that he would never be forgotten and that she would go on to rescue and rehabilitate other animals in his honor and thus Harley’s Animal Haven was born!

    Rescuing and rehabbing animals has always been Angel’s number one passion and priority in life. She currently shares her home with her 3 dogs, 10 cats, 1 chicken, 3 lizards and 5 mice as well as the fosters she consistently welcomes into her home.  

  • Associate Director of Internal and External Relations

    Summer has been surrounded by animals as long as she can remember, growing up with the adopted ideology that pets were family. When her “heart” cat, Sammy, was diagnosed with kidney disease at age 18, she was determined to understand the biological needs of cats, and soon realized felines were often underserved in the animal welfare space. In honor of Sammy, she has advocated for animals in a fierce, passionate form.

    Summer’s journey with cat rescue began in 2023, when a stray pregnant cat showed up outside her door. This experience revealed not only the harsh realities of rescue, but also exposed how we all carry a personal responsibility to help animals in need.

    Summer shares her home with her four cats, a frog, and the many foster kitties that come through her doors. She works with several rescue organizations within Connecticut and independently practices feline behavior and retention counseling for troubled pet owners.

  • Associate Director of Finance

  • Associate Director of Animal Advocacy

  • Associate Director of Animal Welfare