Leslie discovered her passion for animal rescue while living in Austin and volunteering with Austin Pets Alive! When her family moved to Dallas in 2011, she deeply missed that experience. At the time, there were early discussions about launching Dallas Pets Alive!, and Leslie jumped in to help. When the opportunity to lead the effort arose, she embraced it.

With a small but passionate group of volunteers, Leslie helped grassroots-launch DPA, never imagining it would grow into what it is today. She now lives in DFW with her husband, two daughters, and DPA alum/foster fail, Vivian. The Sans family can often be found at their kids’ sporting events—or fostering dogs with DPA!

Sarah McGoldrick joined Dallas Pets Alive! in 2019 as a PASS volunteer and quickly found her passion for animal welfare. After being furloughed during the pandemic, she took on more volunteer roles, leading to a career in rescue.

She worked with Spay Neuter Network before returning to DPA in 2022 as VP of Animal Operations & PASS Director, overseeing shelter diversion and lifesaving efforts. Dedicated to rescue innovation, she focuses on growing the foster program and keeping pets in homes through community collaboration.

Sarah lives just north of Dallas with her DPA alum pups, Harper & Theo, and an ever-changing crew of foster dogs—along with her husband, who has fully embraced their revolving foster family!

Jenay Bennett joined Dallas Pets Alive in 2018 as a foster, quickly “foster failing” her first and third fosters, Stella and Banjo. She soon took on a volunteer role with the foster team, becoming Foster Director in 2021 while balancing her career as a 4th-grade teacher.

In 2023, Jenay pursued her passion for animal welfare full-time as Assistant VP of Animal Operations, overseeing DPA’s lifesaving efforts and managing the Dallas Pets Alive! Adoption Container—a transformed 40-foot shipping container at a Dallas brewery serving as a hub for adoptions, fostering, and volunteering.

Jenay lives north of Dallas with her husband, four pups (three DPA alums), 3 cats (foster fails, of course), and a revolving door of foster dogs and cats!

Gillian began volunteering with Dallas Pets Alive in 2022, when she launched a partnership to foster dogs through Camp Bow Wow Grand Prairie. In 2024, she officially joined the team as Director of the PASS Program, where she helps support families facing difficult circumstances and works to keep pets with the people who love them whenever possible.

In addition to leading PASS, Gillian also fosters cats and kittens and recently added another DPA alum to her own family by adopting a puppy named Malibu. Her passion for animal welfare extends far beyond one area of rescue, and she loves being part of a team that can support both pets and the people caring for them.

Outside of rescue work, Gillian enjoys paddleboarding and hiking with her DPA alum, Kodiak, and spending time with her growing crew of pets.

Jenny is a Registered Nurse specializing in pediatric primary care and brings that same care and compassion to her work in animal rescue. She has been involved in fostering and rescue since 2020, with a special place in her heart for senior, medical, and hospice dogs. One of those dogs was Ruby, a major medical case she adopted from Dallas Pets Alive in 2019.

Jenny is especially drawn to cocker spaniels and has a hard time saying no when one needs help. Her experience with medically complex animals and her love for senior pets have shaped much of the work she does with DPA.

Outside of rescue and nursing, Jenny enjoys making art, working on home renovation projects, and spending time with her dogs, Great and Birdie, at home in Dallas.

Jey has been part of Dallas Pets Alive since late 2013, making her a true DPA OG. Over the years, she has fostered dozens of dogs and kittens, plus one especially cranky cat. She is especially drawn to senior pets and major medical cases and is always willing to make room for animals who need a little extra care.

Outside of rescue, Jey enjoys animal photography, cooking, spending time with her husband, and advocating for animals whenever she can.

At home, Jey shares life with four adopted dogs and a foster dog. She describes her house as complete chaos, but in the best possible way, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Jon has been part of the Dallas Pets Alive Adoption Team since 2017 and currently serves as Adoption Director while also volunteering as an Adoption Counselor. Over the years, he and his wife have fostered dogs and adopted four DPA alumni of their own, so rescue is very much part of life at home too.

Outside of DPA, Jon works as a detention officer. When he isn’t working, volunteering, or spending time with his dogs, you can usually find him watching YouTube and diving into videos about space, aliens, Bigfoot, and anything else a little mysterious.

Tiffany Baker is DPA’s new Canine Welfare & Behavior Manager, bringing over seven years of experience in dog training and behavior modification. She is a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA), Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI), Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM), and a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator. As the founder of Boss Babe Dog Training, LLC, Tiffany specializes in aggression cases and works closely with families who have disabled pets. Her compassionate, science-based approach focuses on building strong relationships between dogs and their people through positive reinforcement and clear communication.

Outside of work, Tiffany competes in frisbee with her own dogs and makes custom resin-coated dog bowls and water buckets. She’s passionate about continuing her education in animal behavior and brings both heart and expertise to every dog and guardian she supports. We’re excited to welcome her to the team!