About Harley’s
Harley’s Animal Haven was established as a 501(c)(3) 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 foster-based in Connecticut.
Who do we rescue?
The answer is simple: everyone! Our rescue specializes in medically intensive cases, displaced and behaviorally troubled animals. We are not restricted to just cats and dogs; we take in every creature, cold-blooded, two-legged, feathered friends and all!
We believe all creatures deserve a second chance.
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Larson
Larson came to us with lower leg paralysis likely due to a fall. He underwent physical therapy daily for two months and regained full use of his legs. Larson lived to be almost three years old!
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Sprinkles
Sprinkles came to us severely malnourished with a double eye infection. After three weeks of daily antibiotic and steroid injections as well as being syringe fed, she was able to make a full recovery!
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Honey Maple
Honey Maple came into our care when a local family expressed concern for this young mom and her four kittens living outside among predators and extreme weather conditions. When the other stray cats in the area started to disappear, they feared she would fall victim to the elements. Honey Maple and her kittens were all trapped and brought into our care to be socialized and find loving forever homes!
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Circe and Lilith
Circa and Lilith were both suffering from leg injuries after flying into each other and a subsequent fall. After some TLC, they fully recovered and were rereleased!
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Codi
Codi came to us by a fellow rescuer after seeing him and his siblings being given away for free on the street. In effort to protect him from winding up in the wrong hands, we took him and his two siblings into rescue!
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Mango
Mango the mouse was found in a garage in the middle of winter, on the brink of death. Once she arrived into our care and her body temperature was regulated, she began to perk right up!
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Mason
Mason was diagnosed with kidney failure at six years old and was going to be put down. We took him in and provided daily syringe feedings and TLC until he passed peacefully in his favorite fluffy bed.
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Bottle Babies
These two newborn kittens were rushed into our care after being found on cement in a dangerous area. Unfortunately, we learned that their mom had ingested rat poisoning, and these babies eventually succumbed to kidney failure. These babies were given a fighting chance and 72 hours of love, warmth and comfort that they otherwise would have never experienced.
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Rina
Rina came to our rescue as a senior ferret when her family could no longer give her the care she needs. Senior ferrets require a particular type of care, so she is in a forever foster home sponsored by Harley’s.
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Clancy
Clancy and her siblings came to our rescue without a mother cat and needed to be bottle-fed. Before coming to our rescue, Clancy suffered from suspected head trauma and unfortunately had neurological symptoms as a result.
One Mission, Every Kind
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 leading to his diagnosis of cancer, Angel was determined to make Harley as comfortable as possible for however long he had left; it was the least she could do after all that Harley had done for her. Harley defied the odds and lived another 6 months, before his body had finally had enough. 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
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Founder, Executive Director
Angel has loved helping animals since she was a toddler. She rescued her first cat when she was just a 1.5 years 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 6 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, 2 lizards and 5 mice as well as the fosters she consistently welcomes into her home.
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Associate Director of Animal Advocacy
Janessa has had a passion for animals throughout her life. In high school, she was part of the Equine Large Animal Science program, which deepened her knowledge and care for animals. She now owns four cats, two ferrets, and a bunny. Alongside her love for animals, Janessa is dedicated to fitness and enjoys helping others reach their health and wellness goals.
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Associate Director of Finance
Julie has been an animal lover and pet owner her whole life, and she is the reason why Harley had a shot at life to begin with. She took in Harley when he was just a kitten from a family who had a bunch of kittens on their property that were sadly being killed by wild animals. Upon arriving to this house, she noticed a small kitten who had only three paws, the homeowner tried to talk her out of the disabled kitten, but her heart could not be swayed. Little did she know that 4 years later, she would have a daughter and that tiny disabled kitten she had brought home would not only be her daughter's best friend but would also shape her entire life. Julie has spent the last 19 years of her life supporting and aiding Angel in all of her rescue mission such as helping her rehab sick animals, transporting animals to the vet and being a shoulder to lean on for Angel during especially hard rehab cases. Julie currently shares her home with her beautiful 15-year-old paraplegic Pekingese dog, Bella, and her handsome kitty, Axel.
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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.