About Us

BullsEye Dog Rescue is a registered charity in Washington state and a Federal non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our board members have over 30 combined experience with the pit bull breed and animal rescue.

Our core value is to provide education about the amazing pit bull breed to the general public, current pit bull owners, other rescue organizations and shelters throughout the Puget Sound region. BullsEye is not a shelter. Instead, we are a network of foster homes and volunteers working with pit bull friendly, Puget Sound region shelters to give a handful of pit bulls a second chance.

Board of Directors

President and Co-Founder
Lorrie Kalmbach-Ehlers

Lorrie’s life was forever changed in 1989 when she rescued her first pit bull Roxanne. Pulled from the streets where she was abandoned by her previous owner, Roxanne was with Lorrie until the age of 17, but had Lorrie convinced in the first few months that she never again own another breed.  From this love grew her foster parent efforts, which to date have totaled over 100 animals.  Currently Lorrie has two pit bull mixes, two pit bulls and one want-to-be pit bull retriever mix in addition to the numerous foster dogs that come and go.  They peacefully reside with two cats, two goats, one 30 year old tortoise, and three horses, one baby boy that loves them dearly, not to mention her very patient husband.   Of these 13 animals that share their life, only 4 are not from a rescued background.  Besides helping found BullsEye Dog Rescue, Lorrie is also currently the Breed Representative for American Pit bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Staffordshire Terriers at Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue.

Lorrie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Washington and has conducted research for the Department of Defense and co-produced a publication that appeared in Northwest Naturalist.  In addition, she has been employed by many nonprofit organizations including Kitsap Humane Society where she has shared her animal talents as adoption counselor, foster parent and volunteer.   Her non profit experience is furthered by her current job as Director of Outreach and Operations at Salish Sea Expeditions, an organization dedicated to marine biology and nautical marine science education for children on Puget Sound. 

Secretary
Gretchen Andersen

In 2003 Gretchen and her partner, Jennifer, moved out of apartment life into their first house with the idea of bringing a dog into their lives. Gretchen was thinking small dog (Chihuahua). Jennifer was thinking BIG dog (Great Dane). They compromised and decided a medium dog was perfect! After doing a lot of research on breeds, they decided it was time to meet some Pit Bulls! They went on a meet-n-greet at Lorrie’s home and fell head over heels for two dogs, Kaiser and Dakota. How could they decide? How about adopting both?! Welcome to the fabulous world of pit bulls!

Before Dakota was one year old he passed away due to complications from a surgery. After this devastating experience, Gretchen immersed herself in the world of pit bull rescue and soon found she had a passion for this breed like no other.  When Lorrie and Maggie started up BullsEye Dog Rescue Gretchen soon joined them and has since become the Board Secretary. She also co-shares the duties of Volunteer and Foster Home Coordinator with Jennifer.

Gretchen and Jennifer have two pit bulls, a Shih Tzu (she got her small dog!) and three cats.  All have been rescued. This pack usually includes at least one foster dog (usually two and sometimes three) at all times. Gretchen can never get enough pit bull lovin’!

Treasurer
Renita Childs

Renita has always been an animal advocate, filling her home with dog and cat rescues throughout the years.  She came by her love for dogs naturally as she grew up in a home that always had at least two dogs in it at all times.   When BullsEye Dog Rescue came calling at her door looking for a foster home for a very neglected young pit bull named Bodi, she could not refuse.  Bodi had suffered complete neglect and starvation, and when he finally broke free every vertebrae and rib was visible. 

Nursing him back to health, Renita became educated in the amazing talents and characteristics of the breed and knew he was meant to become part of her family.   Wanting to make a difference in educating and supporting the public’s knowledge of the breed three years ago she volunteered to be the Treasurer for the organization. 

Renita brings to BullsEye many skills from her background in the corporate computer intelligence world as an Auditor, Quality Manager and Project Manager.  Her volunteerism has not only centered on animals, but extends to her children and community also.  She has served as a PTA Board Member, Sunday School Teacher, and Swim Team Volunteer to name a few.

Board Member
Becky Meigs

Becky first became involved with pit bulls about six years ago when she adopted a puppy that she was told was a Lab/Rottweiler mix. As Oscar grew into an adult dog, it became evident he was a pit bull mix instead. Not knowing anything about the breed, Becky took upon herself (as any good dog owner would) to learn as much as she could.

Two years later Mandy, her dog of 14 years passed away and she found herself looking for another dog.  Becky realized, after searching many shelters and dog rescue websites, that there were more homeless pit bulls than any other breed.  Deciding to focus her adoption on pit bulls, she came across BullsEye Dog Rescue. Becky originally applied to adopt a sweet boy named Rudy, but was turned down because she already had Oscar, another male dog. Lorrie recommended that they consider Zoe instead and it was love at first sight!

Before long, Becky and Zoe became BullsEye Dog Rescue social butterflies, hosting a number of pit bull play dates.  During these play dates, Becky began taking pictures of the dogs and stumbled upon a talent and passion.  Like so many of us dream of doing, Becky has now turned this passion into a career and started her pet photography business-Becky Meigs Photography. The first BullsEye Dog Rescue calendar was published in 2007, a realization of Becky’s hard work, and thankfully she enjoyed so much that it should be an every year occurrence!

Advisory Board

Co-Founder
Maggie McDowell

Maggie began doing dog rescue work in 1999 following her good citizen rescue of three pit bulls from a neglectful situation.  In an effort to educate the Seattle community about the breed, she began photographing families and their adopted rescue dogs.  The photography series, Pit Bull Project, became the name of an organization she co-founded with long-time pit bull advocate, Anne Holte, one year later. Her desire to focus on dogs in shelters and community outreach led Maggie to create BullsEye Dog Rescue with Lorrie Kalmbach-Ehlers in 2004. Maggie’s home includes two rescued pit bulls, Buffalo Sky and Chaney. She and Buffalo Sky are certified by Delta Society as an animal assisted therapy dog team. 

In addition to being a board member of BullsEye Dog Rescue and a Breed Representative for Seattle Pure Bred Dog Rescue (SPDR), Maggie’s professional life also includes not-for-profit work. After graduating from the University of Florida with Bachelor degrees in Economics and English, Maggie moved to Seattle in 1994 to attend the University of Washington where she completed an MFA in Creative Writing and became a PhD candidate in English. She left academic life to pursue her passion for business and technology. Maggie is currently a Program Manager for Getty Images.

Webmaster
Wayne Seward

Wayne always had infinity for animals but centered his interests around snakes at a young age, filling his house with rattlers much to his mothers dislike.  He entered the world of dogs in 1989 when he acquired his first Rottweiler named Rex.  Wayne was soon hooked on this working breed and joined Team Rottweiler in 2002 after adopting his beloved Julie.  Wayne became the Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue Representative for Rottweilers in 2005.

Wayne served as a professional photographer for the United States Air Force.  He then moved to Alaska, where he became a bush pilot by summer and computer geek by winter.  This winter trade became his life’s career, and he has worked for Boeing, and now Alaska Airlines as a Senior Web Systems Specialist.

Wayne became a pit bull lover and owner by default when he decided to experience other breeds by fostering a pit bull - a pit bull that was blind no less!  Crazy Ivan, as he became affectionately called, worked his way into this Rottweiler household and is now there to stay as a permanent member.  Ivan believes it’s his lot in life to bring excitement to their lives! 

Foster Home and Volunteer Coordinator
Jennifer Andersen

Jennifer fell in love with a pit bull named Harley while volunteering at P.A.W.S in Lynwood. Once Jennifer and her partner Gretchen bought their first home, the hunt was on to adopt their own pit bull. Soon they adopted not one but two pit bull boys, Kaiser and Dakota. Recently they added a Shih Tzu girl named Misty who thinks she is second in command and the big dogs agree.

Jennifer and Gretchen’s house is often doggie play date central and they love it. Over the last five years Jennifer and Gretchen have fostered 13 dogs. Jennifer’s day job is as a licensed real estate agent and although she enjoys her work, she dreams of playing with dogs all day for a living someday.