Meet The Team

Marion – General Manager

Marion Yates

After serving Animal Rescue Cumbria for 3 years as a Trustee, the opportunity arose to become more involved as Interim General Manager, alongside my work as a dog behaviourist. I am proud to serve as part of this small and dedicated team and never cease to be amazed by the contribution of all those in our community who support the Charity so generously and enable our vital work to continue.

Ruth – Shelter Manager

Ruth McGill

I first joined Animal Rescue in 1986 and had the pleasure of working for Alfred and Betty Wainwright and for John and Dorothy Estensen. I recall how on Friday mornings Betty and I used to go into Kendal and collect the waste from filleting fish at the local chip shop and bones from the butchers. The bones were given to the dogs and we’d boil the fish in a pan in the kitchen as a treat for the cats.

Present day and things are very different: animal days are centred on enrichment and training. It’s so rewarding seeing the transition in our animals from intake to adoption. We also have an excellent band of volunteers without whom we wouldn’t be able to help the volume of animals now needing our care.

I feel proud to be a part of a Charity that has such high standards and goes the extra mile for the animals in its care.

Ellie – Animal Care Lead

Ellie Jackson

I’ve had a passion for animals since a young age being raised on the family farm. I started volunteering at Animal Rescue Cumbria in 2018, and then became a part of the staff team in 2019. It’s very rewarding seeing how the animals progress, but the best part is definitely getting the updates of them happy and settled in their new homes!

Lydia – Animal Care Lead

Lydia Haigh

I first started volunteering with Animal Rescue Cumbria in 2023, helping with the dog mornings. A few months later, I saw they were looking for work experience volunteers to support the team for full days, and I jumped at the opportunity.

In 2024, I officially joined the team as a staff member, and I’ve loved every moment since. The team is incredible, supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely dedicated to the animals in their care. One of the most rewarding parts of the role is seeing the transformation in the animals from the day they arrive to the day they leave for their new homes.

Tammie – Animal Care Lead/Shop Manager

Tammie Hesmondhalgh

I started volunteering at Animal Rescue Cumbria in January 2014 with my partner Jason. We wanted a change from the stress of everyday life, and to feel like we were giving something back to our local community. We both have a love of animals so it seemed the perfect choice!

I was lucky enough to join the staff team in April 2015 working with the animals.

In August 2021 I started to help with some shifts in our new Preloved for Pets shop in Kendal, which led onto me taking on the Shop Manager role in January 2022, while still completing one shift a week with the animals at Shelter.

I love the challenges that have come with my new role, especially expanding and developing to maximise income which in turn helps all the animals that pass through our care.

The Shelter is the busiest I have personally ever known it, and I truly feel honoured to be part of such a passionate team of both volunteers and staff, making a difference to hundreds of animals lives each year.

Chelsea – Animal Carer

Chelsea Gorse

I have always been passionate about animals for as long as I can remember!

I first started volunteering here back in 2016 helping out with the cats. I joined this fantastic team in May 2021 which I’m very proud to be a part of!

It’s so rewarding to care for these animals and find their new families. I especially love hearing about updates on how they’re getting on!

Lauren – Animal Carer

Lauren Chaplow

I first started at Animal Rescue Cumbria in 2014, at the age of 14, whilst volunteering for my Duke of Edinburgh Award. Later, I returned to take on a Saturday job while studying Level 3 Animal Management at Myerscough College, and then became a permanent member of the Animal Care Team.

I have recently completed my Level 2 Dog Grooming qualification, allowing me to provide grooming for our rescue dogs. This is a very rewarding part of the job as it enables me to improve the dogs’ welfare and make them feel their best. I love to pamper the dogs when they come into our care and also to advise new owners on maintaining their new family member’s coat.

My favourite part of the job is seeing the dogs through their rehoming journey and receiving the forever home updates.

Carmen – Animal Carer

Carmen Hunt

I began volunteering in 2019, initially looking to fill the huge Labrador-sized hole in my life while studying for my Dog Behaviour Diploma. What started as a way to give back quickly became something I truly loved being part of.

In 2025, I was fortunate enough to join this incredible animal care team. My favourite part of the role is being involved in each animal’s journey — from intake through to rehoming — and seeing the wonderful updates shared by their adopting families. I also find it hugely rewarding supporting our longer-term animals and building bonds with them through time, patience, and care.

Being surrounded by inspirational people with years of experience, shared passion, and commitment to the cause makes me incredibly proud to be part of this team and help continue making a difference.

Sanchia – Animal Carer

Sanchia Cadinha

I started volunteering at Animal Rescue Cumbria in 2019 then became part of the team in 2021. I’ve always loved being around animals and volunteering made me realise how much I wanted to help animals in need. Just spending time with the cats and dogs at the shelter improves the mood and well-being of everyone involved. The best part about the job is seeing the animals gain confidence and being happy in their new homes.

Pip – Animal Carer

Pip Line

I began volunteering early 2025 and then joined the working team at the end of the year. I am a lifetime lover of both cats and dogs and from a family who have had rescued animal members since I was a kid. Loving helping so many animals ‘get back on their feet’ and find happiness. Also enjoy working with a brilliant team and great volunteers to this end.

Olivia - Animal Carer

Olivia Dixon

Hi I'm Olivia, I am 16 years old (soon to be 17)I have lived in a farm my whole life and I find it has been the best experience in the world it gives me so many opportunities working around animals. I have had a difficult start to life, being in hospital beating an illness from a young age and now having to wear hearing aids from the medication I received, I'm so much better now and living my life to the fullest. Having the opportunity to volunteer at the shelter has been amazing, working alongside such kind-hearted people, who have the same care and compassion for these animals as I do.

Jane - Admin Assistant

Jane Meese

I have been the Admin Assistant at Animal Rescue Cumbria since August 2021 and can honestly say that it has been the happiest and most fulfilling time of my working life. You are inspired to go to the Shelter every day, being part of such a great team, knowing you are helping to make a difference to the lives of the animals who come into our care.

Sarah - Shop Assistant

Sarah Stephenson

I started working in the Preloved for Pets shop in October 2022 as a Shop Assistant. I enjoy meeting customers and their pets everyday and also ex-residents from the Shelter. Each day is always busy and varied, from pricing donations, to helping customers try on harnesses/coats, to advising on treats/dog food, etc. I feel like we make a big contribution to the Shelter too, as all the profits from the shop go to help the cats and dogs being rehomed. I love dogs and have always been involved in either grooming, training and previously hydrotherapy.

Karen - Volunteers as Volunteer Co-ordinator

Karen Shepperson

I joined the volunteer team in 2024, working one day a week at the shelter and mainly look after the cats. I have three cats of my own, two of them from Animal Rescue Cumbria and would love to have a dog one day too.

I became the Volunteer Co-ordinator in early 2025 and am responsible for recruiting and looking after the volunteers and making sure we have enough people on the volunteer team to support the staff in caring for the animals. It's a large volunteer team, with over 200 people, so very busy but really rewarding as we have so many great people who are willing to give up their time to help with all aspects of looking after the animals, running our shop, fundraising and maintaining our buildings and grounds.

I'm also responsible for doing our adoption follow ups and love hearing the wonderful stories about the dogs and cats we've cared for when they are happily settled into their new homes.

It's a great place to work with a dedicated and supportive team who go the extra mile every day to do the very best for the animals in our care.

Meet The Team

Meet The Team

Meet The Team

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