Meet the Team
Margaret Green devoted much of her life to the rescue and care of animals
We are so grateful for what she did for them and we are honoured to continue her legacy and be here for the many animals who need us.
We are proud to continue the same values and aims that Margaret Green introduced when founding the charity in 1965.
The charity is run by its Board of Trustees who ensure, along with our dedicated staff, that the organisation’s objectives are met.
Chief Executive
Joanna joined the charity as CEO in 2026, with over 15 years of leadership experience and a genuine, lifelong love of animals. She comes from a cross-sector background, following a career built on connecting the government, business and charity sector, along with senior experience in organisational strategy and commitment to developing and supporting individuals and teams. Joanna currently shares her home with dogs and ponies, and has previously owned sugar gliders, snakes and scorpions! As someone who grew up in Dorset, she says that ‘returning to lead the county's oldest animal charity feels like coming home’.
Joanna Tiffin
Managers
Paula is Manager of our centre in Church Knowle. Her particular area of expertise is with horses, and she has made a big difference to many horses in our care. Her beautiful dog, Indie, rehomed from Lincoln Farm, joins her at work every day. Indie gives amazing snuggles and is a very popular 'staff member' with the team!
Paula Legg
Helen is the Centre Manager at our Lincoln Farm Rescue & Rehoming Centre in Dorset, after she joined the charity in 2002. She has always loved animals and is passionate about the rescue and rehoming of dogs. Helen has two rescue dogs called Belle & Flo.
Helen Ellsmore
Niki is the Centre Manager at our Wingletang Rescue & Rehoming Centre in Devon. She has worked for the charity since 1994. Niki has previous experience working in a boarding cattery and kennels and loves animals of all shapes and sizes!
Niki Ging
Claire joined us as our Head of Marketing & Fundraising in 2025 and has worked with charities for over 20 years, raising funds and awareness to enable them to carry out their vital work. She is excited to be working as part of the MGAR team, to ensure each animal in our care has a bright future ahead of them.
Claire Sime
Julie is the Administration Manager based at our Head Office in Church Knowle. She has worked for MGAR since 1999 and manages the finance and administration for the charity and Trading Company.
Julie Ford
Karolina joined the charity in 2025 as our Retail Area Manager. She is passionate about animal welfare and dedicated to supporting our mission through thriving charity shops. She is excited to be part of the team and to ensure that every animal in our care has the chance to live a happy, healthy and safe life.
Karolina Mykhailiv
Senior Team
Laura is the Deputy Manager at our Lincoln Farm centre, and works with the team to provide the best possible care, training and rehabilitation to our rescue dogs in Dorset.
Laura Howlett
Harri is the Marketing & Communications Lead at MGAR and started working for the charity in 2021. Since completing a degree in Creative Events Management, Harri has used her marketing and events experience, and her love of animals, to fulfil her role at the charity. Outside of work, Harri enjoys spending time with her dog, Tino, who she rehomed from Wingletang.
Harriet Uren
Amber is the Deputy Manager at our Wingletang centre, and works with the team to provide the best possible care and rehabilitation to our rescue cats and dogs in Devon.
Amber Battershall
Liz has been our Veterinary Nurse for over 20 years and provides first class care to our animals at our Dorset rehoming centres.
Liz Morgan
Rehoming Centres
Our experienced and hardworking team at Lincoln Farm is passionate about helping and looking after the rescue dogs that come into our care in Dorset. The team is pleased to offer rescue and boarding services at the centre, and to have a little shop on-site that's filled with wonderful supplies for your 'pawfect' pooches.
Lincoln Farm
Our passionate and committed team at Church Knowle loves helping the wide range of species we care for in Dorset, including cats, equines, farm and small animals. The team is delighted to offer rescue and boarding services and to provide a fabulous visitor experience at the centre throughout the year.
Church Knowle
Our experienced and dedicated team at Wingletang is passionate about helping rescue cats and dogs in Devon. The staff are thrilled to be able to offer rescue and boarding services in their newly-refurbished, state-of-the-art facilities, located on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor.
Wingletang
Departments
Our friendly Fundraising & Marketing team loves working with our fantastic supporters, who make it possible for us to help thousands of rescue animals.
Fundraising & Marketing
Our wonderful shops team members love meeting so many animal-lovers, and taking in your truly amazing donations, which raise vital funds for the rescue animals who need us.
Charity Shops
Trustees
Phil joined as a Trustee in February 2025. He has a background in the healthcare industry, including the local NHS in Dorset. He is a scientist by background and has worked across commercial, R&D, digital, transformation, clinical and innovation. He is currently UK Chair for a global healthcare consultancy.
Phil Richardson
Tracy brings with her a broad commercial skillset & wealth of experience & leadership in a range of disciplines including strategy, marketing, operational and change management, from many years of working in large financial organisations. Cats & dogs have always been an important part of Tracy’s life. She is pleased to be able to harness her knowledge & skills to support the charity in achieving its objectives.
Tracy Sheldon
Lorraine Suchanek became a Trustee in early 2013. She is a solicitor and former partner of a law firm in Southampton. Lorraine uses her experience of the law to help the Trust in administering its affairs and dealing with any challenges it may face. She owns three dogs and is committed to supporting the welfare of animals.
Lorraine Suchanek Chair of Trustees
Alison joined the charity as a Veterinary Trustee in January 2026. Having spent many years working in veterinary clinics across the southeast, and then as a Charity Veterinary Advisor, Alison is now the Chief Veterinary Officer at Cats Protection. Alison utilises both her veterinary and welfare knowledge and extensive experience in the animal charity sector in her role as Veterinary Trustee. She has a spaniel called Benji, and a tabby cat called Forest, who she rehomed from MGAR in 2025.
Alison Richards
Sue joined the Board of Trustees in 2025 and serves as Treasurer. She is a qualified accountant with over 30 years’ experience leading finance teams across a range of industries. Sue is proud to support the charity’s important work and ensure it can continue to make a lasting difference for animals in need. At home, she has two much-loved rehomed dogs, Izzy and Dudley, who reinforce her commitment to animal welfare.
Sue Copling