Our Story

Alayna’s Story

Founder. Rescuer. Vision-builder. The heart behind Three Little Pitties.

— Alayna Matranga Goodson, Executive Director

Three Little Pitties Rescue began, the day I realized I couldn’t keep walking past the dogs and cats who had no chance. Houston’s shelters were overflowing, and every face behind those kennel doors felt like a life waiting for someone to show up. I didn’t have a grand plan — just a determination to say yes to the ones who needed help right then.
So in 2018, what started with a handful of rescues quickly grew into a community of people who believed in compassion as fiercely as I did. Volunteers, fosters, adopters, transporters — all stepping in, all saying yes, all helping turn desperation into hope.
Today, Three Little Pitties Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit saving thousands of lives each year, but our heart hasn’t changed. We’re still driven by the same simple truth: every animal deserves safety, dignity, and a chance at a new beginning.
And we’re just getting started. Every life we save happens because people like you choose to care, to step in, and to be part of this rescue family. When you show up, another animal gets their chance — and together, we can open the door for even more.

Since
2018

Our reach

Houston rescue. Nationwide opportunity.

“While our impact reaches across the country, our roots remain right here in Houston, where the work begins every single day. Every rescue that starts here becomes a nationwide opportunity for a new beginning.”
— Alayna Matranga Goodson, Founder

Our impact

Here’s how the work that starts in Houston creates new beginnings all across the country.

20,000+animals rescued

800+spay and neuter procedures in 2025

1,800+community pets vaccinated in 2025

NationwideUSDA-certified transport reach

Our story in numbers

Who We Are Is Measured in Lives Changed.

“Who we are at Three Little Pitties Rescue is measured in the lives we’ve changed since 2018. Every statistic you’ll see in our Impact Report exists because of a community that chooses compassion, education, and advocacy for better animal welfare. If you want to understand the heart behind our work, take a look — every number tells a story.”
— Alayna Matranga Goodson, Founder

View the impact report

“This rescue has always been built by people who show up with heart first — and our Directors and Board embody that every single day.”

Our Leadership

Meet the Directors

Each department is led by people whose hearts brought them to rescue — and whose dedication keeps them building something bigger.

Alayna

Executive Director

A founder and the heart of the organization since 2018. What began with a few urgent rescues grew to more than 1,000 lives saved in the first year. Her leadership expands adoption opportunities for animals of every breed and size across the country.

Jenelle

Director of Operations & Finance

Jenelle’s journey began in 2018 when she and her daughter began fostering. What started as compassion quickly grew into leadership — first as an adoption coordinator, then as the architect of the Pacific Northwest foster program. Today, she keeps every program and dollar moving with heart, precision, and purpose.

Cynthia

Director of Adoptions

Cynthia stepped into rescue after witnessing Houston’s stray crisis firsthand. Since joining Three Little Pitties Rescue in 2018, she has championed overlooked breeds and medical cases while guiding thousands of animals into safe, permanent homes.

Lainey

Director of Foster & Volunteer Programs

With more than 14 years in animal welfare and veterinary medicine, Lainey has led the medical team since 2021 and advocates for complex medical cases and large-breed dogs.

Jodi

Director of Community Outreach

Jodi combines her experience as an educator to coordinate and lead outreach work that provides responsible-pet education, free vaccine clinics, spay and neuter services, and practical resources for underserved communities.

Jessica

Director of Fosters

Jessica coordinates the foster network and thoughtfully matches animals with homes by considering foster experience, family life, household members, schedules, and each rescue animal’s unique characteristics — supporting fosters throughout every step of the journey.