OUR PUG STORY
HISTORY
Pug Rescue Worldwide was co-founded by Johnny Vasenda and Traci Zweibel through a shared commitment to the pug rescue community and relationship built through volunteer service. As Johnny approached retirement from the U.S. Navy in 2024, following a career defined by frequent deployments and intensive training cycles, he began looking for a new mission centered on community impact. Because his military schedule required extended time away from home, Johnny had not been in a position to responsibly own a dog, but as retirement neared, he began volunteering at Pug Rescue San Diego events to support the organization and engage with the local rescue community.
That involvement led him to PugToberfest, an Oktoberfest-themed pug event, where he met Walter. Walter was a small pug with a noticeable underbite that set him apart within the grumble. Rescue volunteers shared that he had received limited adoption interest, largely due to his appearance. During the event, Walter stayed close to Johnny throughout the day, and Johnny decided to adopt him. Shortly afterward, he contacted the rescue again, believing Walter would benefit from a companion, and Chicken Nuggets joined the family. Traci, a longtime volunteer with Pug Rescue San Diego and Chicken Nuggets’ foster mom, supported this transition by caring for both dogs while Johnny continued to travel for Navy duties and later for work as a security consultant.
Through ongoing collaboration and regular conversations, Traci provided insight into the operational realities of rescue work including resource constraints, funding gaps, and the importance of long-term organizational stability. Recognizing that his international travel limited his ability to foster directly, Johnny chose to contribute at a structural level. Together, Johnny and Traci founded Pug Rescue Worldwide to support independent pug rescues like Pug Rescue San Diego through funding, advocacy, and sustainable capacity-building initiatives, allowing local organizations to focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible placement.
THE PUG BEHIND THE LOGO
CHICKEN NUGGETS
Chicken Nuggets was a rescued pug who became the inspiration behind Pug Rescue Worldwide and continues to shape everything we do. From the very beginning, he reminded us why every pug deserves patience, care, and a second chance.
He was the best sidekick and constant companion to his little brother, Walter. Gentle, loyal, and endlessly affectionate, Chicken Nuggets never met a stranger and never had a mean bone in his body. His quiet kindness and steady presence left a lasting mark on our hearts and became the foundation for this organization.
Our logo honors his spirit and serves as a reminder that love, resilience, and compassion can come from the smallest places—and can inspire something far bigger.