About Rescue Cowgirl
About Melany
Melany Paige Brieno is a lifestyle creator, entrepreneur, and animal advocate from Wisconsin. A former pageant queen and graduate with dual degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration, Melany has built her platform around authenticity, resilience, and living with purpose.
Known for sharing her passion for fashion, animals, entrepreneurship, trucks, and the outdoors, Melany has cultivated a community that values compassion as much as confidence. Her journey has never been about following trends—it's been about staying true to her values and using her voice to create meaningful change.
Melany's love for animals led her to become actively involved in rescue and advocacy efforts, including her work supporting beagles rescued from animal testing facilities. In 2026, she became one of five activists arrested while protesting animal testing at Ridglan Farms, a defining moment that strengthened her commitment to speaking out against animal cruelty and fighting for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Today, Melany continues to inspire others through her content, advocacy, and entrepreneurial ventures, proving that one person can make a difference when they choose to stand for something bigger than themselves.
Meet Blue the Beagle
Blue was born and raised inside Ridglan Farms.
For eight years, she lived in a place where she was never meant to be loved. She was used, tested on, forced to breed, and treated like her life only mattered for what humans could take from her.
When I first saw her, she was scared and broken. I opened her kennel, sat with her, and gave her space to decide if she was ready to trust.
Slowly, she crawled out, climbed into my lap, and cried in my arms like she had been waiting eight years to finally feel safe.
While I held her, someone quietly whispered, “You found your forever person.” to Blue.
I will never forget those words.
Blue survived eight years of pain. The rest of her life will be love, safety, and freedom.
Now, Blue and I are on a mission to speak for the voiceless, fight for the forgotten, and help save every dog and animal we can.
Why Rescue Cowgirl Was Created
Rescue Cowgirl was born from a simple belief: compassion should be backed by action.
After witnessing the realities of animal testing and becoming deeply involved in animal rescue and advocacy work, Melany realized that raising awareness alone wasn't enough. She wanted to create a brand that would allow supporters to become part of the mission while helping fund the work that still needs to be done.
Every purchase helps support Melany's efforts to continue speaking out against animal injustice.
Whether you're wearing our hat, displaying a print, or sharing the message with others, you're helping create a future where animals are treated with greater compassion, dignity, and respect.
Together, we can turn awareness into action, and action into change!
Co-founded by Eddie Phanichkul
Eddie Phanichkul has advocated for animals all of his life. Best known for his work in American PPE manufacturing and advocating for American jobs, Eddie also co-founded Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, and is currently running for State Assembly in Wisconsin, District 63.