Caring for Animals Since 1970
Caring for Animals Since 1970
For over 50 years, the Australian Animal Protection Society has rescued, cared for, and rehomed animals in need. With the support of our community, we continue to give vulnerable pets a second chance at life.
For over 50 years, the Australian Animal Protection Society has been rescuing, caring for, and rehoming cats and dogs across Melbourne’s south-east, giving vulnerable animals shelter, medical care, and a second chance at a loving home.
Our Story
A Legacy of Compassion - Since 1970, AAPS has dedicated itself to protecting, treating, and rehoming animals, creating brighter futures for pets and families.
Founded to address the need for an animal shelter in Melbourne’s south-east, AAPS has grown into a trusted community organisation. We rescue, care for, and rehome hundreds of cats and dogs each year. As a registered charity, we rely on donations, volunteers, and community support to continue our work. Every animal receives shelter, medical attention, and love while waiting for their forever home.
Community & Partners
Working Together for Animals
AAPS relies on the support of generous partners, sponsors, and community organisations to provide shelter, veterinary care, and adoption services. Their contributions Help us rescue, care for, and rehome cats and dogs in need. Through these valued partnerships, we are able to expand our programs, improve facilities, and reach more animals and families in the community. Together, we are creating safer environments and brighter futures for pets who deserve a second chance.
Our Values
Guided by Care and Compassion
Compassion
Treating every animal with patience, kindness, and respect.
Responsibility
Represent duty, care, and accountability for pets.
Community
Represent teamwork, collaboration, and connection.
Integrity
Represent honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical behavior.
CEO
Megan Benton
From 2014 to 2018, Megan proudly served as President of the Australian Animal Protection Society in a volunteer capacity, during a pivotal time in the organisation’s growth. The role focused on providing strategic direction while also ensuring compliance, governance, and forward planning were all firmly in place. Megan chaired monthly meetings, and represented AAPS at corporate and charity events, building vital relationships with council and government bodies.
Under Megan’s leadership, AAPS has become a gold standard animal shelter that embraces all aspects of animal welfare and provides a positive work place environment for its staff and volunteers.
Meet our team
Our team includes veterinary professionals, animal carers, and volunteers passionate about animal welfare. They provide daily care, medical treatment, and emotional support for every animal at our shelter.
Our Shelter Team
Meet the dedicated team caring for our rescued animals daily.
Megan Benton
Head Vet
Guides AAPS with strategic leadership, ensuring animal welfare, shelter development, and strong community partnerships to benefit cats and dogs in need.
Megan Benton
CEO
Guides AAPS with strategic leadership, ensuring animal welfare, shelter development, and strong community partnerships to benefit cats and dogs in need.
Mandy
Oversees animal care operations with decades of experience, organising shelter movements and ensuring wellbeing for all animals in our care.
Mandy
Animal Welfare Manager
Oversees animal care operations with decades of experience, organising shelter movements and ensuring wellbeing for all animals in our care.
Charlie
Supports shelter operations, facilities, and staff needs while fostering and caring for cats and dogs with great compassion.
Charlie
Admin & Facilities Officer
Supports shelter operations, facilities, and staff needs while fostering and caring for cats and dogs with great compassion.
Amber
Leads care, rehabilitation, and coordination for dogs, promoting responsible welfare and helping behaviour‑needs dogs find suitable homes.
Amber
Dog Coordinator
Leads care, rehabilitation, and coordination for dogs, promoting responsible welfare and helping behaviour‑needs dogs find suitable homes.
Georgie
Handles financial tasks with a love for animals, ensuring financial support and sustainability for shelter operations.
Georgie
Admin & Facilities Officer
Handles financial tasks with a love for animals, ensuring financial support and sustainability for shelter operations.
Anne
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Anne
Adoption Team
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Lydia
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Lydia
Adoption Team
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Jade S
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Jade S
Adoption Team
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Lou
Turns every donated treasure into community gold with unstoppable op‑shop magic and a flair for fashion.
Lou
Op Shop Manager
Turns every donated treasure into community gold with unstoppable op‑shop magic and a flair for fashion.
Mazz
Runs the volunteer village and grooming salon with heart, humour, and a never‑ending supply of dog treats.
Mazz
Volunteering and Grooming Manager
Runs the volunteer village and grooming salon with heart, humour, and a never‑ending supply of dog treats.
Lisa
Builds the brand, the buzz, and the big ideas that keep AAPS front and centre.
Lisa
Marketing Manager
Builds the brand, the buzz, and the big ideas that keep AAPS front and centre.
James
Crafts the stories, visuals, and viral moments that make our community fall in love with AAPS every day.
James
Creative, Communications and Social Lead
Crafts the stories, visuals, and viral moments that make our community fall in love with AAPS every day.
Tina
Turns generosity into impact and events into unforgettable experiences for animals and humans alike.
Tina
Fundraising and Events Lead
Turns generosity into impact and events into unforgettable experiences for animals and humans alike.
Our Veterinary Team
Meet the dedicated team caring for our rescued animals daily.
Moraya Garrett
Head Veterinarian at AAPS, with expertise in emergency care, internal medicine, and ultrasonography. She leads the veterinary team to provide top-quality care for shelter animals.
Moraya Garrett
Head Veterinarian
Head Veterinarian at AAPS, with expertise in emergency care, internal medicine, and ultrasonography. She leads the veterinary team to provide top-quality care for shelter animals.
Dr. Suruchi Perera
Experienced in small animal medicine, dentistry, and shelter surgery. Passionate about improving animals’ quality of life. Enjoys gardening, yoga, and continuing veterinary education. Motto: “Saving the world, one mouth at a time!
Dr. Suruchi Perera
Veterinarian
Experienced in small animal medicine, dentistry, and shelter surgery. Passionate about improving animals’ quality of life. Enjoys gardening, yoga, and continuing veterinary education. Motto: “Saving the world, one mouth at a time!
Dr. Samantha Lo
Passionate about delivering high-quality patient care across a range of disciplines, including diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, emergency, and shelter medicine.
Dr. Samantha Lo
Veterinarian
Passionate about delivering high-quality patient care across a range of disciplines, including diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, emergency, and shelter medicine.
Lisa Peck
Passionate about animal rescue and rehabilitation, with experience volunteering internationally. Loves hiking, vegan cooking experiments, and caring for her greyhound, Peter.
Lisa Peck
Veterinary Nurse
Passionate about animal rescue and rehabilitation, with experience volunteering internationally. Loves hiking, vegan cooking experiments, and caring for her greyhound, Peter.
Christine Molyneaux
Over 17 years in the animal industry. Dedicated to caring for sick and vulnerable animals, and enjoys fostering cats and kittens in her spare time.
Christine Molyneaux
Veterinary Nurse
Over 17 years in the animal industry. Dedicated to caring for sick and vulnerable animals, and enjoys fostering cats and kittens in her spare time.
Jade Brown
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Jade Brown
Customer Care Officer & Vet Nurse
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alexandra Bonney
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alexandra Bonney
Vet Nurse
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alicia Nguyen-Huynh
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alicia Nguyen-Huynh
Veterinarian
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Mark Boyhan
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Mark Boyhan
Veterinarian
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Megan Benton
Head Vet
Guides AAPS with strategic leadership, ensuring animal welfare, shelter development, and strong community partnerships to benefit cats and dogs in need.
Megan Benton
CEO
Guides AAPS with strategic leadership, ensuring animal welfare, shelter development, and strong community partnerships to benefit cats and dogs in need.
Mandy
Oversees animal care operations with decades of experience, organising shelter movements and ensuring wellbeing for all animals in our care.
Mandy
Animal Welfare Manager
Oversees animal care operations with decades of experience, organising shelter movements and ensuring wellbeing for all animals in our care.
Charlie
Supports shelter operations, facilities, and staff needs while fostering and caring for cats and dogs with great compassion.
Charlie
Admin & Facilities Officer
Supports shelter operations, facilities, and staff needs while fostering and caring for cats and dogs with great compassion.
Amber
Leads care, rehabilitation, and coordination for dogs, promoting responsible welfare and helping behaviour‑needs dogs find suitable homes.
Amber
Dog Coordinator
Leads care, rehabilitation, and coordination for dogs, promoting responsible welfare and helping behaviour‑needs dogs find suitable homes.
Georgie
Handles financial tasks with a love for animals, ensuring financial support and sustainability for shelter operations.
Georgie
Admin & Facilities Officer
Handles financial tasks with a love for animals, ensuring financial support and sustainability for shelter operations.
Anne
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Anne
Adoption Team
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Lydia
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Lydia
Adoption Team
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Jade S
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Jade S
Adoption Team
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Lou
Turns every donated treasure into community gold with unstoppable op‑shop magic and a flair for fashion.
Lou
Op Shop Manager
Turns every donated treasure into community gold with unstoppable op‑shop magic and a flair for fashion.
Mazz
Runs the volunteer village and grooming salon with heart, humour, and a never‑ending supply of dog treats.
Mazz
Volunteering and Grooming Manager
Runs the volunteer village and grooming salon with heart, humour, and a never‑ending supply of dog treats.
Lisa
Builds the brand, the buzz, and the big ideas that keep AAPS front and centre.
Lisa
Marketing Manager
Builds the brand, the buzz, and the big ideas that keep AAPS front and centre.
James
Crafts the stories, visuals, and viral moments that make our community fall in love with AAPS every day.
James
Creative, Communications and Social Lead
Crafts the stories, visuals, and viral moments that make our community fall in love with AAPS every day.
Tina
Turns generosity into impact and events into unforgettable experiences for animals and humans alike.
Tina
Fundraising and Events Lead
Turns generosity into impact and events into unforgettable experiences for animals and humans alike.
Moraya Garrett
Head Veterinarian at AAPS, with expertise in emergency care, internal medicine, and ultrasonography. She leads the veterinary team to provide top-quality care for shelter animals.
Moraya Garrett
Head Veterinarian
Head Veterinarian at AAPS, with expertise in emergency care, internal medicine, and ultrasonography. She leads the veterinary team to provide top-quality care for shelter animals.
Dr. Suruchi Perera
Experienced in small animal medicine, dentistry, and shelter surgery. Passionate about improving animals’ quality of life. Enjoys gardening, yoga, and continuing veterinary education. Motto: “Saving the world, one mouth at a time!
Dr. Suruchi Perera
Veterinarian
Experienced in small animal medicine, dentistry, and shelter surgery. Passionate about improving animals’ quality of life. Enjoys gardening, yoga, and continuing veterinary education. Motto: “Saving the world, one mouth at a time!
Dr. Samantha Lo
Passionate about delivering high-quality patient care across a range of disciplines, including diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, emergency, and shelter medicine.
Dr. Samantha Lo
Veterinarian
Passionate about delivering high-quality patient care across a range of disciplines, including diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, emergency, and shelter medicine.
Lisa Peck
Passionate about animal rescue and rehabilitation, with experience volunteering internationally. Loves hiking, vegan cooking experiments, and caring for her greyhound, Peter.
Lisa Peck
Veterinary Nurse
Passionate about animal rescue and rehabilitation, with experience volunteering internationally. Loves hiking, vegan cooking experiments, and caring for her greyhound, Peter.
Christine Molyneaux
Over 17 years in the animal industry. Dedicated to caring for sick and vulnerable animals, and enjoys fostering cats and kittens in her spare time.
Christine Molyneaux
Veterinary Nurse
Over 17 years in the animal industry. Dedicated to caring for sick and vulnerable animals, and enjoys fostering cats and kittens in her spare time.
Jade Brown
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Jade Brown
Customer Care Officer & Vet Nurse
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alexandra Bonney
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alexandra Bonney
Vet Nurse
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alicia Nguyen-Huynh
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Alicia Nguyen-Huynh
Veterinarian
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Mark Boyhan
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Mark Boyhan
Veterinarian
Dedicated team member with deep animal welfare passion, assisting visitors and supporting daily shelter operations.
Life at AAPS
Discover moments from our shelter: rescued animals receiving care, happy adoption stories, and the volunteers who make it all possible.
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