Meet the Foster Team! The foster team is your primary contact with Dallas Pets Alive. If you are ever unsure of who to email just email foster@dallaspetsalive.org and someone from the team will get back to you.
Check out the Foster Resource Page Here.
Hello! I have been with DPA since January 2018. I "foster failed" my first foster, Stella, and have since fostered 70+ dogs and cats, and adopted 4 more dogs and 2 kittens. I live in North Dallas with my husband and our 4 dogs and 2 cats, plus whatever fosters we have at the time. You can usually find me at DPA's Adoption Container or snuggling my pets!
Jackie Babb
Canine Assistant Director - Intake
Jackie joined DPA as a foster for both dogs and cats in mid-2023. She’s volunteered on the foster team and, most recently, as a beloved Adoption Counselor. Though she recently moved back home to Florida, we’re thrilled to have her continuing her work with us from afar. Jackie is the proud mom of two DPA alumni: Tootles the cat and Pascal the pup. Her kindness, passion, and ability to connect animals with their families are second to none.
Ashton Koenen
Canine Assistant Director - In Program
Ashton has been a foster with DPA since December 2022 and has volunteered as our GoodPup admin since we launched the training program. She’s a powerhouse high-volume foster who is always stepping up for animals in need. Ashton is also a proud mom to three DPA alumni: Sammie, Lenny, and Jewels. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and deep understanding of fostering make her an invaluable addition to the team!
Sarah Plagens
Feline Assistant Director - In Program
Hi! I'm Sarah and I've been wearing many hats on the Foster Team since 2023, though I've been doing rescue pet photography off and on since 2015! I live in North Dallas with my old-as-dirt three-legged rescue cat Whitaker and have fostered over a dozen kittens with DPA. I'm a biomedical engineer by day and a videogame nerd by night, and I spend half my weekends photographing DPA foster kitties for their adoption profiles. In my free time I'm usually starting creative projects that may never be finished, or just chilling on the couch with my cat.
Jenna Fischer
Foster App Lead and Dogs Matter Admin
Hello! I have been virtually volunteering for Dallas Pets Alive since March 2021. I started off as a Foster Profile Admin, and have since transitioned to the Foster Application Vetter Lead AND Dogs Matter Admin roles. I live in San Angelo, Texas, and really got into rescue when I was just 13 years old. I have fostered over 115+ animals ever since! When I am not volunteering for DPA, you can usually find me reading, watching a hockey game (Go Stars!), or losing at bar trivia.
Hi! I'm Kayla and I am currently the Supplies Coordinator. I have also been a foster with Dallas Pets Alive! since March of 2023. I am the proud dog-mom of two, Cooper and Winston; while they are not DPA dogs, they are rescues. When not volunteering for DPA you can find me at the gym, tending to my plants, playing kickball or in my kitchen baking.
Olivia Mount
Foster Team Inbox Coordinator
Olivia Mount is a dedicated volunteer on Dallas Pets Alive’s Foster Team, serving as the Foster Team Inbox Coordinator. In this role, she helps keep communication flowing smoothly by responding to foster emails and making sure important messages reach the right teams. Her organization, reliability, and warm approach make her an invaluable part of daily foster operations.
Outside of DPA, Olivia is a 4th grade teacher at a French school in Dallas, a role that perfectly reflects her patience, positivity, and care for others. She’s also an active foster with a special love for PASS fosters, and she shares her home with her dog Bart and cat Nugget. Olivia previously adopted a beloved DPA dog, Tater Tot, who has since passed, and she continues to honor that bond through her ongoing commitment to rescue. Olivia’s cheerful spirit and willingness to help wherever needed make her a treasured member of the DPA team.
Amy Browning
Foster App Vetter LEAD and External Intake Coordinator
Hey there! I’m Amy Browning, and I volunteer with Dallas Pets Alive as a foster application vetter and external intake coordinator. I also jump in to help at in-person events whenever I can. I’ve been with DPA since 2022 and love being part of this amazing team!
I live in Downtown Dallas with my husband and our two cats, Seamus and Turnip. Before moving into my current role in educational technology, I spent many years as an educator.
When I’m not volunteering, you can usually find me playing tennis, binge-watching shows, or spending time with family!
Rachel McNeely
Foster Application Vetter, Temporary Foster Coordinator, Alumni Inbox Coordinator
Hi! I’m Rachel and I am a Foster Application Vetter and Temporary Foster Coordinator. I started virtually volunteering with Dallas Pets Alive! in September of 2024 as a Vetter. Shortly after, I looked into other ways I could help out and started the Temp Foster Coordinator role in November 2024 and love every minute of it!
I am from Cleveland, Ohio and currently foster for a local rescue! I knew I wanted to use my extra time helping animals any way I could virtually, however locally, I couldn’t find many options. I am extremely happy that I found Dallas Pets Alive! and have enjoyed being a part of this team!
When I’m not volunteering, I am working part time as a Medical Assistant in an Urgent Care and I’m a full time Mom to 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 hamsters, a turtle and I can’t forget, 5 kids :) I also love to read a good romcom when/if there’s ever a quiet moment in my home!
Emily Falise
Adoption Guru LEAD
Hello! I started volunteering with DPA in the beginning of 2025 but was introduced to the organization in 2023, when my fiance and I adopted Dottie. We then "foster failed" our other DPA alum, Nash, in 2024! I moved down from North Carolina after graduating college and currently live in the HEB area of the metroplex. My favorite activity is snuggling up with both dogs and reading a book!
P.S. - My picture is from Dottie's prized moment of winning the "group costume contest" at the DPA Container for Halloween :)
Savannah Gibson
Kitten Season Scout Leader LEAD
Savannah has been fostering with Dallas Pets Alive since COVID made her work-from-home in 2019, with a focus on kittens and neonates. She has recently pivoted to an operational role with DPA as a Kitten Scout Leader for Kitten Season, and helps run the cat operations at QuakeCon with DPA. She is a co-parent to DPA Alumni Tortellini, and has two 7-year old cats of her own at her home in The Colony. When she's not dealing with cat shenanigans, you'll find her dancing around Dallas, reading, or playing tabletop games with friends.
Nashla Kalifa
Kitten Scout Leader
Hi, I'm Nashla! I've been a foster with Dallas Pets Alive since October 2023 and proudly serve as a kitten scout leader since kitten season 2025. I live in Dallas with my three rescue cats—Tiny, Savannah, and Mocha—and my rescue dog, Ellie. I’ve been fostering cats and kittens since 2011.
When I'm not volunteering, you can find me cooking a delicious vegan meal, curled up with a good book, or tending to my garden. My newest hobby is crocheting—I can’t wait to start making cute hats for kittens.
I'm honored to be part of the DPA family and dedicated to helping these furry friends find their forever homes.
Milly Fierro
Foster Profile Admin
My name is Milly and I have been volunteering with DPA since early 2024! I have been an animal lover all my life, and became very involved in rescue when I found my precious Mia in 2017. She had been abandoned on the streets, and it opened my eyes to the world of rescue. I have worked with different organizations in Texas throughout the years and also enjoy going to Mexico to volunteer at spay and neuter campaigns. I really love being out in nature and going to the beach!
Carrie Eberhard
Foster Cat Team Volunteer
Hi, I'm Carrie! I live in Dallas with my two cats - Whiskey and Mojito - who I rescued in 2019 while living in Kansas City. I have been fostering with DPA since April 2025. By day I work in consulting for the electric utility industry... and working from home lets me get in plenty of foster kitty snuggles. Outside of DPA, you can find me at the gym, mixing up a cocktail, or volunteering with a few organizations in the mental health and suicide prevention space.
Courtney Drury
Foster Application Vetter
Hello! My name is Courtney and I volunteer as a foster application vetter with Dallas Pets Alive. I currently live in Michigan working at a veterinary office. Previously, I had worked at an animal rescue and I could not bear to be away from the rescue world, that is when I found DPA. It is rewarding to play a part in animals getting new homes! When not volunteering or working, I spend my time pet sitting and playing trombone.
Katie Angel
Foster Relations Specialist LEAD
I am currently in college getting my radiology degree while working at a doggy daycare. I have my amazing foster fail named Jack who comes with me on all my outdoor adventures—hiking, paddle boarding, or anything else in the sun. Life’s just better with a dog around!
Esther Escudero
Adoption Guru / Kitten Scout Leader
Esther joined Dallas Pets Alive in April 2025 after fostering four stray kittens and quickly discovered a deep passion for helping kittens grow, gain confidence, and feel safe in a home environment. She especially loves watching their tiny personalities emerge as they learn about the world around them. While Esther has fully embraced her inner “cat person,” she also holds a special place in her heart for senior dogs and is passionate about giving them a calm, comfortable space to feel loved during their golden years.
Outside of rescue, Esther is a Dental Case Manager and Dental Hygienist. At home, she shares her life with two foster-fail kitties, Chikorita (aka Chikita), a sassy tortie, and Blinker, a sweet and clever tuxedo. In her free time, Esther enjoys being outdoors, working out, road trips, reading scientific articles, deep-diving into research, and learning new things.
Nicoll Guarnizo
External Intake (EI) Coordinator
Nicoll is an External Intake Coordinator and Foster-to-Adopt Coordinator with Dallas Pets Alive. A software engineer by day, she started fostering with DPA and quickly fell in love with the team and the mission, which inspired her to take on a larger support role. Nicoll is especially passionate about fostering, kittens, and large dogs, and she brings both heart and organization to every case she supports.
At home, Nicoll has two resident cats and is currently fostering Wally through DPA.
Gabi Necastro
Foster Application Vetter
Gabi is a Foster Application Vetter and Marketing Website Manager with Dallas Pets Alive and is based in Peoria, Illinois. She works professionally as the Community Outreach Coordinator at SAL Child Care Connection of Central Illinois, where she supports families through community-focused programs. Gabi first joined DPA while studying Social Media Marketing and was looking for a meaningful way to gain hands-on experience while giving back. Since then, she has contributed to several major projects that support DPA’s lifesaving mission and continues to jump in wherever help is needed.
She was born and raised in Little Elm, Texas, and moved to Illinois after graduating from Bradley University in 2024. At home, Gabi has a beagle mix named Monica, who she lovingly describes as a true diva. In her free time, she enjoys baking, cross-stitching, puzzles, and scrapbooking.
Savannah Rutt
Foster Relations Specialist
Savannah is a Foster Relations Specialist with Dallas Pets Alive, bringing a strong background in animal science and environmental biology, along with several years of hands-on experience working alongside veterinarians. Volunteering with DPA allows her to continue supporting animal welfare through compassionate care and meaningful, behind-the-scenes support that helps animals thrive.
She is especially passionate about ensuring every animal receives proper medical care and the chance to live in a safe, loving home. A strong advocate for fostering, Savannah has personally fostered and helped place over 15 cats into permanent homes. At home, she shares her life with two cats, Charl and Clove, and enjoys drawing, painting, puzzles, and spending time with her cats.
Lacey Allison
Adoption Guru Volunteer
Puyallup, WA
Lacey is an Adoption Guru Volunteer who supports Dallas Pets Alive virtually from Washington. She works as an Executive Assistant for a nonprofit and has spent over 10 years in the child welfare and social services field, bringing a strong advocacy mindset to everything she does.
After unexpectedly saying goodbye to her beloved cat Edna, whom she adopted from a local shelter, Lacey wanted to continue helping animals find permanent, loving homes, even though she was not quite ready for hands-on involvement. The opportunity to support adoptions virtually felt like the perfect fit.
Lacey is especially passionate about advocacy for seniors, cats, and kittens. At home, she shares her life with a big orange tabby named Reginald, whose full government name is Reginald Montgomery Allison-Landeis.
Outside of rescue work, Lacey enjoys DIY projects and crafts, traveling, movie nights, cheering on Seattle sports teams, musical theatre, singing, all things Disney, and teaching herself how to read tarot.
We’re so grateful to have Lacey as part of the team and for the care and heart she brings to helping pets find their people.
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