Tash and Amanda

A self-confessed die-hard fan of Frasier and 80s love songs, Tash initially got in to the animal welfare industry after realising her corporate job left her unfulfilled. After her first shift, she couldn’t stop thinking about the animals she had met, and she was hooked! Tash is fully committed to the cause, so much so that her three pets, Shih Tzu X Gerry, Maltese X Kik and ginger cat Missy are all rescues, and according to Tash, perfect! Her love for her job is best summed up by her motto: “What better way is there to exist if not making animals feel safe and loved?

After starting her career as a volunteer dog walker 12 years ago, Amanda fell in love with the industry and it took over her life from there. She has since worked at four different shelters and has even adopted two dogs and one cat along the way! Her love for the industry stems from the knowledge that she is making a difference in animals’ lives every day, whether she’s making them a cosy bed, teaching them a new skill, or getting them one step closer to finding a home. Amanda loves lazy brunches, beach days and treating herself to a pedicure, and honestly, she’s earned it!

Julia

After working as a dog washer in her teenage years, Julia immediately knew she wanted a career in animal welfare. In her mid-20s she decided to take the next step and gain her qualifications, and since then she hasn’t looked back. Now Julia spends her days supporting animals in need and ensuring that each one that comes into her care is matched with a loving family, which is a job she will never grow tired of. She is an avid gardener in her spare time and also enjoys chilling out on the couch with her two dogs Frankie and Bambi and her four cats Kanzah, Starfish, Pogo and Kamali.

Steven

Steven’s love of animals began in early childhood when his mother instilled in him a passion for animal welfare and respect, eventually leading to a career choice that he describes as one of the best decisions of his life. Steven’s animal friends include a three-legged Miniature Pinscher X called Mr Bean, a one-eyed Chihuahua X called Mr Magoo and a Children’s Python called Morticia. Steven truly loves his job, simply because he is surrounded by animals and like-minded animal advocates all day, every day.

Lisa

Driven by a burning desire to help animals in need, Lisa always wanted a career in animal welfare. According to Lisa, working at AWL means the world to her because she knows that she and her colleagues are all working to improve the lives of animals across South Australia – and she can’t think of anything better than that. In her spare time, Lisa loves to read and spend time with her dog Albie and her two cats, Hanzo and Tracer – all of whom she is training to be the best versions of themselves they can be.

Emma

Emma has known she was destined to go into animal welfare since she was a child, when she would encourage people to walk on a different path to avoid stepping on ants. She acted on that knowledge about 10 years ago when she made the switch from hospitality. Since then, she hasn't looked back! A proud member of AWL's behaviour team, Emma spends her time creating safe, comfortable environments for dogs, helping them learn to trust people and eventually settle in to their new homes. She is also an avid foster carer, having fostered over 50 animals, and has three dogs of her own - all Chihuahua crosses - who are obviously the three cutest dogs in the world.

Dr Naia

Fascinated by animals and medicine alike, Naia took her family’s passion for human medicine and applied it to the animal kingdom. Naia is driven by a desire to give homeless and unwanted animals a second chance at life and thrives on learning and performing complex surgical procedures. She spends as much of her spare time as possible in the outdoors hiking, mountain biking, running, swimming, snorkelling and walking her adopted Labrador Buddy, who is reportedly the best dog in the world.