Meet the Shelter Team

Megan Benton, CEO

Before becoming General Manager then CEO, Megan served as a member of AAPS’ committee for over six years, four of which she completed as President. In 2020, Megan took up the role as General Manager and has since managed several vital projects, including two changes of addresses, and the establishment of our Veterinary Clinic and Grooming Salon.

Megan has two fur-children, Viva Darling, whom she adopted from AAPS as a puppy, and Barbara, a seven-year-old AAPS feline “foster fail”. Megan says she treasures her involvement with AAPS because she can help people in need who are struggling to care for their animals, and of course, the animals themselves.

Mandy, Animal Welfare Manager

Mandy, our Animal Welfare Manager, has over thirty-five years’ experience working in the Animal Welfare Industry. Mandy started volunteering with AAPS when she was thirteen and has worked with our organisation on and off since.

Mandy is our unofficial “Shelter Mum”, organising all our animals’ movements. She lives with her husband and children on her rural property, along with seven horses, one donkey, six dogs, and one cat. Mandy says AAPS is special to her because of what we stand for as an organisation in regards to animal welfare and that, unlike other organisations, we will do anything in our power to help an animal in need.

Mazz, Executive Assistant to the CEO

Mazz is a big animal lover which is evident in her qualifications in dog training, dog grooming and dog care.

For the last six years, Mazz has run her own dog grooming and dog training business. She also has over twenty-years corporate experience, working across many industries.

Mazz enjoys working for AAPS as she enjoys seeing animals in need find their fur-ever homes.

Mazz has two fur children, Tommy & Zoey both rescues.

Jamie, Volunteer & Events Manager

Coming from a diverse hospitality background, in 2016 Jamie knew he needed to follow his passion and start his career within the Animal Welfare Industry. Gaining his Certificate lll in animal studies while volunteering for almost a year, Jamie was lucky enough to obtain his first position within the industry as an Animal Attendant at Animal Aid, and shortly after he held employment at AAPS and managed the two side-by-side. Fast forward to 2020 and Jamie’s role evolved to Customer Service Officer and Volunteer Coordinator at AAPS. Jamie says he loves what he does and working within an industry that truly makes a difference. 

In his spare time Jamie loves cooking with vegan recipes, traveling and of course spending time with his furkids. 

Charlie, Admin & Facilities Officer

Charlie has a degree in Journalism and International Relations. Charlie started out at AAPS in the fundraising and social media departments, and after two bouts of maternity leave, came back as Admin and Facilities Officer.

Charlie is an “all rounder”, providing support to staff across many different departments while ensuring the building is still standing at the end of the day. Charlie has fostered and housed over fifty cats and dogs during her time with our shelter. Charlie’s cat Moët is an AAPS “foster fail”.

Amber, Dog Coordinator

Amber has had over ten years in the animal industry working a range of different roles, from an animal microchip register, animal attendant, animal management and Operations Manager of a Municipal pound. After years of working in Municipal Animal Pounds helping the pound animals, Amber joined AAPS in 2021, starting as a Customer Service Officer and an Animal attendant for cats and dogs. After a short period with AAPS, Amber’s love and dedication to animals and her role shined through, and she was promoted to our Dog Coordinator, where she runs our kennels team and is responsible for all dogs under her care providing them with love, enrichment, training, and socialization. Amber holds her Certificate III in Companion Animal Studies, Cert IV in Justice, and Diploma of Legal Services. Amber is passionate about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, animal education and rescue. Amber loves being a part of AAPS due to the shelter’s values and dedication to animal welfare. A highlight of her role is when our wonderful dogs are rehabilitated and get a forever home. Outside of work, Amber is a foster carer for behaviour cats that need rehabilitation. In her spare time, Amber loves spending time with her fur babies Bowie (dog), Freddie (dog), and Max Gawn (cat) and being in the garden.

Jess, Cat, Rabbit & Guinea Pig Coordinator

Having worked in multiple industries including hospitality, visual merchandising and office work Jessica found working with animals to be the most rewarding. She started as a volunteer on the weekends whilst working another job and was offered a position at AAPS as an animal attendant. During her 7 years at the shelter, she has worked many roles and is currently the coordinator for the cats, Rabbits and Guinea pigs. 

She has several pets of her own including a dog, cats and guinea pigs. The majority of them have been adopted from AAPS over the years. In her spare time, she likes crafting and board games.

Enya, Marketing Coordinator

Before AAPS, Enya worked as a Marketing Coordinator for a number of socially responsible companies, including a not-for-profit. Enya has a few degrees under her belt, including a Bachelor of Media & Communications and a Diploma in Marketing, and is currently completing a Master of Digital Marketing in her spare time.

Enya is mum to two greyhounds whom she adopted, Red & Gracie, and Darwin, a blue tongue lizard who she co-parents with her mum.

Enya loves animals, so considers working with AAPS a privilege.

Georgie, Finance

Georgie has over thirty years’ experience as a bookkeeper and holds a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.

Georgie adores animals and this is demonstrated by the number of animals residing in her house, the majority of which were adopted from AAPS. Georgie cares for two dogs, a Border Collie X Kelpie named Oscar and Scarlet a Kelpie, two cats Blossom and Ernie, two parrots, Midori & Sunny, and a tribe of Silkie Chickens.

Georgie says she enjoys working at AAPS because she can provide love to animals in need while she’s bookkeeping.

Sharon, Receptionist

Sharon has been associated with AAPS for many years, as she and her Mum always adopted their cats through our shelter. Sharon started volunteering in the office over five years ago and was later offered a part-time position as a Receptionist. Sharon adopted two of our older dogs, believing she can give them love and attention in their twilight years.

Sharon loves working and supporting the CSOs and knowing she is making a difference for the Shelter and animals. Seeing our animals go to their forever homes is what she enjoys most about her time with AAPS. Sharon continues to volunteer twice a week.

Isabelle, Customer Service Officer & Grooming Manager

Isabelle has a passion for all animals with nine years of experience in the animal industry. Beginning at a pet store and studying animal studies and grooming. Shortly after, she moved on to working within a dog boarding kennel, working as an animal attendant and groomer.

Isabelle’s main focus now is to expand on her experiences and grow so she can help all animals in need. Isabelle thinks herself extremely lucky to now work at AAPS with such amazing people, all having the same passion for animal welfare and making a difference.

Brianna, Customer Service Officer

Prior to joining us here at AAPS, Brianna spent her time building a career managing hospitality businesses. Although this was rewarding in many ways, she always felt as though something was missing and soon realised that she would rather dedicate her work life to making a difference.  Growing up around animals since a young age, Brianna has always felt a connection to animals and their rights. Brianna first heard about AAPS when she adopted her special needs cat Arlo from the shelter back in 2021, and loved the values that they uphold. 

When she saw that there was an opportunity to use her customer service background to make a difference, it was an easy decision to change careers. Although she has only worked with us for a short time, Brianna has loved working in the animal industry and the opportunity to help animals on need find their new homes. 

In her spare time, she likes to spend time cuddling on the couch reading a book and spending time with her rescue cat Arlo and her family’s other rescue animals. 

Madeline, Customer Service Officer

Madeline has worked within the animal welfare industry for over eight years. She has a background of working as a qualified vet nurse, customer service officer, and previous animal inspector.

Madeline brings extensive expertise to our shelter, ensuring our beloved animals’ optimal health and happiness. Madeline upholds the highest standards of care and welfare, guaranteeing each furry resident receives the attention and support they deserve.

Outside work, Madeline loves spending time with her partner and their awesome foursome fur babies! Pippie a Lab x Heeler, Zoey the Whippet, CC the sassy tabby, and Herb the ginger ninja tabby!

Anne, Customer Service Officer

Anne volunteered with AAPS before becoming part of our dedicated customer service team.
Having been an avid animal lover her whole life, Anne’s idea of the perfect workplace is working at AAPS.

Anne has attained a Bachelor of Education, was a primary school teacher for many years, has five adult children, and is a grandma of six beautiful grandchildren.

Anne believes the adoption of rescue animals is vitally important. She has two pugs and a cat, all adopted from AAPS.

Lynda, Customer Service Officer

Lynda has many years of experience in the animal welfare industry, working for over five years at the RSPCA as a kennels attendant and trainee vet nurse, at Petstock for over a year, and in a boarding kennel for a year.

Outside of work, Lynda loves to go camping with her husband and two Frenchies, Alfie and Maggie.

Lynda enjoys working at AAPS because she is given the opportunity to help rehome animals that likely would not have been given a second chance if they had not arrived at our no-kill shelter.