Meet the PetRescue team
We’ve created an environment where the best talent in animal welfare, technology and marketing can use their knowledge and expertise for good, and we’re extremely proud of the team that drives our mission today.
Vix
Founding Director + Partnerships & Programs
Vix has her eyes firmly fixed on a future where every pet is safe, respected and loved. Her focus - the single-minded goal of seeing an end to the killing of Australia’s homeless pets.
Vix has been leading the PetRescue team along with PetRescue co-founder JB since 2004. She works with corporates, academics and community rescue groups to create and run programs that create genuine impact, transforming the lives of pets and people.
Vix doesn’t just think outside of the box - she will turn that box inside out, make a rocket out of it and launch it into the stratosphere in the pursuit of a safer, happier future for rescue pets. Status quo be damned.
Vix is passionate about bringing the advantages of the for-profit sector to the NFP world, especially in the use of technology to help drive social change, driving innovation to grow capacity, and creating jobs to attract fresh talent to the animal welfare industry and create positive change.
She’s also a Delta qualified behavioural trainer with a special interest in anxiety and related aggression. Prior to PetRescue, she ran her own behavioural training business and worked in canine behaviour at RSPCA shelters in three states. Vix can spot a dog with whale eye at ten paces and is passionate about creating a low-stress world for pets.
Vix was awarded EY’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, is a judge on the Companion Animal Rescue Awards panel, and juggles parenthood, a parade of foster kittens, two cats, and her very senior dog Mikalla. Just quietly, she’s also partial to a bit of interpretive dance.
Patima
Managing Director + Tech & Design
Patima leads the team at PetRescue with the GM hat on (which she self-describes as more like a sombrero) and heads up all things related to operations for our whole organisation. She amplifies everyone’s strengths and encourages a culture of teamwork, ensuring that we’re set up for success and continue to drive impact in the work that we do. Since joining our team, she’s created and implemented valuable internal processes for communication and workflow so that we can work together as smoothly as possible.
She uses her wide breadth of knowledge and experience in product, marketing, design and web development to rally the whole team around a shared vision and roadmap so that we can really focus on creating a future where every pet is safe, respected and loved!
With over a decade of experience in the creative tech industry and leading successful teams, we’re very lucky to have Patima here to spearhead an inclusive, supportive and balanced workplace with a culture that endorses work/life balance and self-care.
Her incredible energy, perhaps only matched by her four-legged sidekick named Mash, keeps us inspired, motivated and ready to slay the day.
On weekends, you’ll probably find her patting and swooning over (any) doggos and cattos, outdoors somewhere, enjoying a great gin or soaking up energy at her favourite place: the beach.
Fun fact: Patima was once in an all-girl band! We’re still waiting for her to share a tune with us...
Matt
Non-Exec Director and #StartUpDude
An investor and entrepreneur, Matt has been mentoring and supporting tech companies in Perth for over a decade.
Matt is on our board, bringing his experience as a venture capitalist and angel investor to help navigate us towards accelerating growth, achieving milestones, and sustainably scaling operations to meet our big, hairy audacious goals!
A pet-lover and rescue champion, Matt’s vision for PetRescue is to help create a future where rescue pets are given an equal chance. He’s a keen supporter of PetRescue’s Safe and Sound Pounds message and believes in creating a future with more positive outcomes for rescue pets who go into the dysfunctional pound system.
Laura
Project Manager and #DoughnutConnoisseur
Currently overseeing special programs such as The Adoptables, Workplace Foster Care Program, and ad-hoc fundraising campaigns, Laura’s role at PetRescue is to bring people and skills together to smash our animal welfare goals and make things great for pets around Australia.
Prior to taking on the reins for special projects, Laura was smashing out digital marketing goodness at PetRescue, helping us connect with thousands of pet lovers and expanding the PetRescue online community.
As someone who enjoys being organised and having a bit of routine, really the only kind of chaos Laura likes in her life is binging doughnuts left and right.
A mother of two two-legged children and two four-legged children, when Laura isn’t working, her days are spent changing nappies and playing with superheroes!
Laura is also an undercover knitter and hopeful gardener who enjoys a walk along the coast listening to podcasts about health and crime. #confused
Tom
Software Developer and #RockClimber
Besides rock climbing, one of the things Tom is most passionate about is building digital experiences for people, and using his coding skills to create meaningful change. And that's how he ended up at PetRescue!
With over 10 years of experience as a developer, Tom’s mission is to help implement new features to help connect thousands of pets with potential adopters, and help take the load off member rescue organisations.
When Tom isn’t lost in code world, he likes to hit up the farmer’s market, and takes pride in his ability to lug around 10kgs of veggies with a smile. So if you ever need a hand with your groceries, we’re happy to outsource him for the job.
Andy
Software Engineer and #Redditor
Andy is the software whiz at PetRescue. His exceptional skills in Ruby programming and web development were an instrumental part of developing PetRescue’s ambitious Matchmakers project, a tech solution to help PetRescue’s members by developing a new adoption enquiry management system that’s faster, more efficient and more responsive.
Andy brings years of experience in software development to #TeamRescue and is keen on using his extensive knowledge in the area to develop customised features that will make PetRescue the best animal welfare platform in Australia!
When Andy isn’t nose-deep in code-zone, you can catch him nose-deep on Reddit, trying to keep up with British politics or finding the dankest of memes to make us lol.
Alesha
Digital Marketing Coordinator and #PlantWhisperer
Alesha is our digital and social media superstar at PetRescue. She uses her creative genius to connect PetRescue (and the thousands of beautiful pets listed on our platform looking for homes) to the larger community across multiple channels. Her extensive experience in social media management has already helped thousands of adopters find their BFFs on PetRescue.
Alesha brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing, brand strategy, trade marketing, event management and photoshoot production, truly strengthening the capabilities in these areas in our organisation. If that all sounds impressive, you should see her in action!
Her exceptional skills in time management, planning and creativity combined with an inquisitive mind and an eye for detail make her a valuable part of the PetRescue team.
Alesha is the resident plant expert at our Perth HQ. She’s the go-to for music and podcast recommendations, and when she’s not working, she's probably by the ocean or adventuring with her adorable doggo, Obi.
Laurel
Program Coordinator and #CatLady
Laurel is on a mission to convert every human being into a cat lover. And she’s been pretty successful so far.
A passionate animal welfare advocate, Laurel looks after all the programs that we're able to provide for free to thousands of pet adopters, rescue members and progressive community organisations with the help of our major partners. And she does a pretty kickass job at it!
Laurel is a people person and thrives on building long-term connections with rescue organisations, businesses, and individuals, seeking out potential collaborations that can amplify PetRescue’s efforts in reaching its big, hairy, audacious goals!
Aside from managing programs, she is also in charge of choosing #FridayBangers for the team’s weekend kick-off. And she takes this responsibility very seriously.
Laurel keeps her zen out of work hours with a morning surf, followed by a latte and snuggle with her resident cats Penny Lane and Bowie, and the ever-rotating roster of kittens calling her foster room home.
Tina
Digital Content Producer and #HummusEnthusiast
Tina has two important jobs at PetRescue, producing content and hugging all the office doggos. And she loves them both.
As part of her role, Tina ensures that you keep up with all our initiatives for #TeamRescue and get maximum feels overall the sappy, heart-warming love stories of rescue pets finding their human BFFs! She also keeps our blog updated with all the happenings at PetRescue, and creates external communications for the PetRescue community.
One of the things that Tina loves about her role is being able to use her words to create positive change for rescue pets. She particularly loves creating pet profiles for the Adoptables program, because it means helping special pets that find it harder to get adopted otherwise.
Some of Tina’s super not-so-secret abilities are being able to touch her nose with her tongue, and bake scrumptious apple pies (or so she claims).
Kathy
Policy Research Assistant and #BikingAficionado
Kathy started off as an online relationship support vollie at PetRescue and now manages a whole team of volunteers that help connect hundreds of potential adopters with their local pounds, rescues and shelters every month.
Kathy’s inspiration behind being the awesome team leader stems from her pet cat Ripley, who convinced her to get out there and ensure that every human finds their furry BFF! Ripley is just one of the many rescue animals who’ve been part of Kathy’s life having adopted her first pet (a goat!) when she was in kindergarten.
When not helping people find their special someone, Kathy’s other job has her working in mental health. While the two jobs seem quite different she believes both play an important role in improving people's overall health and wellbeing and this is one of (the many) reasons she loves being part of the PetRescue team.
While she doesn’t have too much spare time – when she has a minute to spare on any given day you’ll find Kathy riding her bike; racing her bike or just talking to people…about her bike.
Susan
Online Customer Service and Support and #CuriousCat
Have you ever hiked up the roadside with cows, goats, chooks, ducks, pigs and horses all in tow? Susan has!
As one of our helpdesk superstars at PetRescue, she ensures that everyone who reaches out to PetRescue for help is supported and is one step closer to finding their furry BFF.
One of Susan’s most rewarding experiences in her role has been organising free flights for pets via the PetRescue and Jetpets free flights program. This includes helping pound pets in need of foster care, a rescue pet in urgent need of specialist surgery, or an adopted pet needing transport to its new forever home in another state.
Susan brings a treasure trove of animal welfare experience to the team, having worked in pounds, wildlife shelters, catteries and boarding kennels. She has also managed boarding facilities and has been a committee member of two council shelters. We told you she’s a superstar!
When Susan isn’t working to create a better future for pets, she’s learning more about them. On a continuous path to enlightenment, she already has a long list of achievements in her kitty, including certifications in dog behaviour and training, chicken behaviour and welfare, advanced wildlife care and management, and cognitive dysfunction in ageing pets. And she’s just getting started folks.
Mel
Customer Service Representative and #BendyFoodie
Mel’s passion, knowledge and experience in animal welfare is, simply put, BALLER.
Not only is she one of the leading SMEs on Breed Specific Legislation in Australia, but has also spent nearly seven years working in animal management. Mel holds a Cert III in Dog Behaviour and Training from the National Dog Trainers Federation and has also worked as a dog trainer.
Before we asked her to join the party, Mel worked in a customer service-oriented role for local government, and supervised her own team!
As part of her role as a Customer Service Rep at PetRescue, Mel uses her extensive problem-solving and people management skills to help the hundreds of potential adopters and donors who reach out to us via our helpdesk each week.
To Mel, the best part about her role is being the first connection between a pet and an adopter and help create an impact in the rescue space through PetRescue.
And If there’s anything Mel loves as much as pets, it’s dreamin’ about and devourin’ wholesome colourful vegan food. She’ll happily slip into a tofu coma any day.
Mel likes to take a break from all the craziness by slipping into her yoga pants and helping some lucky Perthies practice self-care and meditation! She also carves out time for bushwalking adventures with her main squeeze, Cocoa.
Missy
Community Engagement Consultant and #BirdLady
A safe haven for wayward birds and a passionate animal welfare advocate, Missy has been involved in the animal welfare space in a raft of different roles for more years than she will willingly admit, actively advocating change for all animals!
With years of experience in fundraising and community engagement, Missy traded in her corporate gig a while ago to pursue her passion to make the world a better place for furries and feathers, and has never looked back.
At PetRescue, Missy’s role primarily focuses on supporting us in areas of community engagement, communications, fundraising, and strategizing to ensure that we stay ahead of our Animal Welfare goals!
A communications expert, Missy loves building relationships with donors, sponsors and the community to bring people together and create mutually beneficial relationships to make the world a better place. #LEGEND.
On weekends you can catch her doing gigs around the Perth circuit, or hanging out at the beach with her adorable Kelpie Charli!
Kelly B
Partnership Development Manager and #TurtleSaviour
If somebody made a movie on Kelly’s life, they’d really have their work cut out for them. From volunteering at a turtle conservation centre in Costa Rica and helping build a school in Cambodia to living in Mexico for almost a year, Kelly has most certainly been there, done that. And it’s this enthusiasm for connecting with people that helps her thrive in her role as a Partnership Development Manager.
At PetRescue, Kelly manages corporate partnerships and helps us drive collaborations with fellow pet lovers and animal welfare champions in the community.
Kelly was taking the big scary advertising world by storm before she decided to pursue her passion for animal welfare, and use her expertise in client engagement and project management to create positive change for rescue pets.
What drives Kelly to get out of bed everyday is a personal mission to build effective partnerships that she can leverage to help shape the future for vulnerable pets and give them a fighting chance.
When she isn’t working, you can catch her keeping up with her many hobbies, which includes making her own kombucha & sourdough! Kelly also loves going to the beach with her four-legged soulmate, Maggie.
Taylor
Administrative Assistant and #Swiftie
Taylor is an avid organiser who dreams about to-do lists and calendar schedules.
Her experience and passion for communication and organisation enables her to assist the team in fast-tracking projects and working efficiently towards the goal of finding all pets a safe and loving home.
What Taylor loves about her role the most is being able to float between all departments wherever her assistance is required, which means there’s something new and exciting on her to-do list every day!
When Taylors off the clock, she likes to explore new spots to brunch with her friends and keep up with Taylor Swift’s adorable kittehs.
Kelly G
Front-End Developer and #Artist
Kelly is the design guru at PetRescue. She brings bucketloads of creativity to her role as a front-end developer, helping us provide a platform that is aesthetic, inclusive, and accessible to the larger PetRescue community.
As part of her role, Kelly ensures that the PetRescue website is up to date, user-friendly, and functioning smoothly. She was a core part of PetRescue’s Matchmakers project and hopes that one day, the process for pet adoption is more streamlined, and rescue pets can find their forever homes faster.
Kelly believes that the best part about her job is being able to put her ah-mazing visual and coding skills to create positive change for rescue pets in Australia!
When she’s not impressing us with her artistic flair, she’s busy impressing the rest of the world via her eye-popping Instagram page! Kelly is always up for adventures that involve scrumptious veggie food and weird but wonderful cocktails.
JB
Co-Founder
JB co-founded PetRescue with a vision to create a safer future for every pet in Australia, and 15 years down the road, his passion for animal welfare and innovative tech solutions has made PetRescue.com.au the most trafficked charity website in the country!
Besides leveraging his engineering background to help thousands of adopters find their perfect furry match, JB represents lifesaving across the board, spreading PetRescue’s Safe and Sound Pounds message to rescue advocates and corporate partners, and shoring up support to help us achieve our Animal Welfare goals.
An exceptional leader and innovator, JB was awarded EY’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014 along with PetRescue’s co-founder Vickie, and was also a finalist for a Not-For-Profit Technology Lifetime Service Award in 2019.
Besides leading the PetRescue tech team, JB also ensures there’s a positive culture of self-care and mindful meditation at PetRescue with weekly yoga sessions. He’s also quite the vegan masterchef, and occasionally blows our minds with his vegan food experiments.
In his spare time, JB likes venturing about the amazing Western Australian bush trails with his four-legged girlfriend, Cocoa.
And special thanks to our vital vollies: Tristan Mercer (Rescue Member Application Manager) and Nicole Romney (Online Relationship Support Team).