Who We Are

The Principles Behind the Purring

At Rugby’s Refuge, we believe every cat deserves a chance at a healthy, comfortable life—even the spicy ferals, neighborhood goblins, and “definitely not my cat” porch visitors.  Through spay/neuter, TNR, and compassionate veterinary care, we’re working to reduce overpopulation and improve life for cats and the humans who love (and are occasionally terrorized by) them.

Whether a cat comes from a cozy couch, a back alley, or someone’s shed “just for the winter,” every feline patient at Rugby’s Refuge receives the same kindness, respect, and quality care. Because in our book, every cat matters—even the grumpy ones who try to bite us for helping.

Our Founders – Where the Mission Began (and the Cat Hair Never Ends)

Meghan “Dr. Meg” Welch, DVM

Co-Founder/Board President/Medical Director

Dr. Meg has spent her entire life obsessing over cats—and fortunately turned that obsession into a career. With more than 50,000 feline spay/neuter surgeries under her belt, years of running a feline-exclusive veterinary hospital, and extensive TNR experience, she combines serious surgical skill with a soft spot for every scruffy, spicy, and lovable cat she meets. She currently shares her home with four cats, who remain unimpressed by her résumé.

Amber Mace

Co-Founder/Board Vice President/Technical Director

Amber brings 15+ years of feline-focused veterinary, behavioral, and rescue experience to Rugby’s Refuge, along with a talent for keeping both surgery days and chaotic cat situations running smoothly. A passionate TNR advocate and feline fixer-of-all-things, she believes patience, knowledge, and snacks can solve almost anything. When she’s not helping cats, she’s probably talking about cats, thinking about cats, or covered in cat hair.

Rugby

He Found ME – Inspiration and Professional Curmudgeon

Rugby was the kind of cat who could steal your heart while simultaneously judging your life choices. Equal parts adorable, grumpy, and deeply opinionated, he inspired the mission behind Rugby’s Refuge through his resilience, personality, and uncanny ability to demand love entirely on his own terms. Though he preferred life with a healthy dose of attitude, Rugby reminded everyone around him that every cat—especially the overlooked, complicated, and “furry little chaos goblins”—deserves compassion, safety, and care. He remains the heart of Rugby’s Refuge and the unofficial supervisor of all operations, preferably from a warm blanket on a soft couch across the Rainbow Bridge.

Board Members – Making Important Decisions Under Feline Supervision:

Cyndi Mussina

Board Member

Cyndi has spent decades helping cats and the people who care about them. As longtime Treasurer of Lycoming Animal Protection Society (LAPS), she’s been balancing nonprofit finances almost as long as she’s been trapping, fostering, bottle-feeding, and finding second chances for cats of every age and personality. She currently shares her home with thirteen cats of her own, five adult foster cats, and eleven foster kittens—which means if you’re looking for Cyndi, start by checking under the nearest pile of cats.

Betsy Thompson

Board Member

Betsy has spent more than 40 years opening her home—and her heart—to rescue cats, and she’s still looking after the neighborhood ferals whenever they decide they need her. After 31 years as an educator and years serving on nonprofit boards, she brings patience, organization, and the kind of calm that comes in handy when cats, humans, and nonprofit life all decide to be complicated at the same time. She now shares her home with her rescue dog, but the local ferals still consider her part of the payroll. Fortunately, Dr. Meg accepts payment in Cheetos.

Gwen Uber

Board Member

Gwen has been helping cats for so long that she’s pretty much done every volunteer job there is. Over the years at Lycoming Animal Protection Society, she’s served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President, foster, transporter, fundraiser, adoption volunteer, and organizer of regional mobile spay/neuter clinics—usually while saying “Sure, I can help with that.” She has a special place in her heart for senior, medically fragile, and “needs-a-little-extra-love” cats. She shares her home with several cats, two Dobermans, and a rabbit—and we’re pretty sure “Other Duties As Assigned” has been following Gwen around for the last 30 years.