Staff
Heidi McLaughlin
Adoption Coordinator I started volunteering with Adoption First in 2014 after first adopting from the organization. Seeing dogs from Day 1 to adoption day success stories is a great reminder of why we do what we do day in and day out. Seeing this rescue grow by leaps and bounds over the years has been so rewarding and such a great thing to experience- so many wonderful people coming together to improve the lives of so many dogs (and now cats) that have found themselves alone and needing love and care. While the rescue work at times can be taxing- it is worth it to help those in need and I’m proud to be part of it! |
Medical Coordinator
Christina Steward I started volunteering with Adoption First after we moved to Jacksonville in September of 2021. I previously worked at a large county shelter and when we moved here i needed to find a place to work with animals again. After a few months, I started working in the newly established clinic. I then transitioned into the role as the medical coordinator for the rescue. I ensure that all the dogs and cats are medically ready for adoption to their fur-ever home. I foster a lot of animals going through extra medical care, seniors and bottle kittens. We adopted a AFAR cat who had a leg amputation. The volunteers of Adoption First have become my second family.
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Foster Coordinator
Amanda Rowe I’ve been fostering with Adoption First since 2017. I became the foster coordinator in October of 2021. I felt as though my years of fostering experience had equipped me to help place as many of the rescue’s animals into temporary homes while they wait for their forever homes as possible. I’ve loved getting to meet new faces as well as connect further with the existing volunteers, all while surrounded by dogs and cats... a dream! My goal is to make fostering as easy as possible for our volunteers to keep them coming back to help foster more. The more animals we have in foster, the more we can save from other shelters! |
Event Coordinator
Michele Pauls I first started planning events for AFAR in January of 2020. I quickly realized how passionate I am about coordinating events and how much fun it is to raise money for this amazing organization. I enjoy working closely with our volunteers to brainstorm ideas, design concepts, and plan events from start to finish. I am amazed by the wonderful work we do, and truly enjoy creating relationships with our community. I love to get out in Onslow County and the surrounding areas to spread the word about Adoption First, and how to join our mission to lower the euthanasia rate while putting on fantastic fundraising events! |
Office Manager
Bre Corbitt Hi, I'm Bre and I started with Adoption First in 2017 with fostering two pups, Lola & Harrison. Since then, I've had 40+ fosters, held a handful of leadership roles, and now I have the job of a lifetime! I love what we do here, and saving the lives of animals is tough, but worth it! |
TikTok Manager
Kiera King I started fostering/volunteering with adoption first in October 2021. I love being a part of this amazing team! Helping the rescue grow through this social media platform has been so rewarding and I have been overjoyed with the opportunities it has brought to the rescue. I have since moved to Connecticut, but Adoption First will always be my family. I decided that even though I am in another state, I still wanted to help this rescue continue to grow. I can’t wait to see how many more lives we save and watch this rescue succeed in all avenues. |
Kennel Attendant
Lola Naiman I started working and volunteering at Adoption First in the fall of 2022, after relocating from Oregon to Jacksonville. In Oregon as a young child living on my family's farm and working with my parents for other larger ranches and farms, I learned the importance and dedication it takes to care for animals. From the start I developed a passion for animals of all shapes and sizes, and as I continued to grow my love for animals grew as well. Eventually I would spend all my summers working on a ranch training horses and dogs. This led to me getting a great job as a kennel tech at a vet clinic in Oregon. From then on I knew this was something I was truly going to dedicate my life to. Now I am currently working for AFAR and fulfilling my dream of going to school to become a vet tech. Although, helping animals may not be easy at times I know that the teamwork and dedication it takes to save the lives of those with no voice is more than worth it. |
Kennel Attendant
Jessica Arnold Animals have always been my passion. Fur, feathers, scales, or skin I love them all! There have always been animals in my home since before I was born. I never considered working in animal welfare until I moved to Virginia where I started volunteering at the SPCA. I absolutely loved it! One day, Unbeknownst to me, I was volunteering alongside a kind woman cleaning litter boxes with me. "What do you do when you're not volunteering here"? I asked. "I'm the CEO. You should consider applying here." She smiled. I was Shocked that the CEO of her own company was down in the trenches getting dirty with us for the betterment of the animals. I was sold. I applied and have been working with animals ever since. From mobile vets to horse stables, to now Adoption First Animal Rescue. I've been here since November 2022, and I fell in love with the familiar feeling that I had of working at my first animal shelter. The animals come first! The friendly Staff, the CEO getting down in the trenches with us, the quality of care that is provided to all the animals, while most would say it's impossible to save them all, I know we'll be here doing our best to try! I'm excited to be a part of the adventure that comes with helping this place grow!
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Kennel Attendant
Michael Meriweather |
Volunteers
Andrea Whatley
Volunteer Trainer/Lead I began volunteering in the spring of 2019. I loved Adoption First Animals Rescue’s ideals, values, and mission to rescue dogs so I became more involved. My husband is retired military and I’m a veteran so we love being in a community that supports the military. . This organization aligns with my goals and demonstrates their commitment to helping dogs - so I’m all in! |
Michele Pauls
Event Coordinator I have been a volunteer and foster for Adoption First since June 2019. This rescue is absolutely wonderful, and I am so honored to be a part of the team! I love being able to give second chances to the scared, broken, sick, and discarded. Showing them what love, compassion, and kindness truly is, and watching them transform into the dog they were meant to be. I am blessed to have found a group of people that are devoted to rescuing and saving lives! I have made so many amazing friends along the way, and I look forward to the future of saving many more lives. |
Amanda Rowe
Foster Coordinator I've been fostering with Adoption First since 2017. My favorite thing about it is being able to meet many new dogs, bring them into our home, and show them the good life while helping them transition to a home of their own. My family and my 3 dogs all enjoy it! We've also made incredible friends along the way! Fostering isn't always easy, but with fosters we are one step closer to saving more animals. |
Lannette Hanslip
Animal Profiles & Fundraising Team I first heard about AFAR in 2014 and quickly started fostering! Saturdays at adoption events are the best, and I enjoy volunteering at them! I have watched the rescue grow tremendously, helping thousands of dogs over the years find their loving, forever homes. Proud to be a part of the team. |
Vicki Brown
Volunteer Coordinator My journey with Adoption First started in November 2019. Our children were getting older, and I decided that I could use some of the extra time that I had to foster. After bringing home our first foster, our entire family became involved, to include extended family, and it has become something we all truly love. As the volunteer coordinator, I get the pleasure of welcoming our newest team members, helping them learn the ropes, as well as coordinating teams to support various fundraisers and events. We have continued to foster, and it is still a family affair, with my husband taking the lead. |
Kelly Kurz
New Volunteer Coordinator I started volunteering with Adoption First in October of 2020. This shelter has felt like home since day one. I remember being welcomed by the volunteers and of course all the dogs on my first day. I am overjoyed to be a part of an organization that saves as many dogs and cats as we can. As a volunteer coordinator, I am thrilled that I get the pleasure of welcoming you to the team here at Adoption First. I look forward to meeting you soon! |
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Norah Wimer
LOA's Our family started fostering with Adoption First July, 2020. In the first ten months with Adoption First we've opened our home to over 20 dogs and puppies. My favorite part of fostering is bringing a dog who is timid home from the facility, and seeing them getting to be a "real dog" once they feel safe in our home. |
Halie Cleveland
I have been a volunteer and foster for Adoption First Animal Rescue since September 2021. I have followed this rescue since the beginning and always knew I wanted to be apart of AFAR and I am so glad I finally had the opportunity. I love being able to give a second chance to all of the babies that come into our rescue. AFAR has the best group of volunteers and fosters that are devoted to saving lives and giving second chances. I look forward to many more fosters and many more amazing events! |
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Jaime Duncan
Hi! I’m Jaime. My husband, Wally, and I fell in love with hounds when we moved to North Carolina. Their story, quirkiness, and sweetness had us hooked. We speak for those who can’t and we get to help transform these babies into awesome family dogs. Hounds are underrated....don’t knock it till you try it. You’ll fall in love 100% of the time. |
Lindsay Barber
I've been fostering since 2020 and volunteering since 2019. I started fostering consistently in 2020 when my husband deployed to Afghanistan and I needed something positive to get me through it. Over that period of time, I've fostered 33 dogs and puppies. My husband is home now and we enjoy helping dogs together. I am really proud that my husband, my three rescue dogs, and I have created a home that helps dogs feel safe until they find their forever home. |
Macey Andrews
My husband Brendan and I have been fostering with Adoption First since Feb 2020! Brendan and I and our 2 dogs, Sammy & Juni (an AF Alumni) love having furry friends stay in our home! My favorite thing about fostering is showing these dogs that life doesn’t have to be hard. They can be as lazy or as energetic as they want, and get spoiled along the way. We love opening our home to dogs of all kinds and can’t wait to continue fostering for many years to come! |
Nicholas Bingham
I started fostering and volunteering with Adoption First when I moved to my home in North Carolina July 2020. I have a strong love for dogs, especially the fluffy ones. I enjoy fostering the more difficult dogs that require a lot more attention or healing time because it allows me to create a bond with them and it feels even better when they find their forever home! |
Kimberly Burd
I’ve had the pleasure of fostering over 30 pups and it is the most rewarding experience. They have all just blossomed right before my eyes. I’m also an avid jewelry maker and love to share my craft with the rescue. |
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Cori Labounty
I began volunteering with Adoption First in March of 2019. What started out as a way to fill time while my husband was stationed overseas and I was in nursing school has turned into permanent role in my life. I told myself (and my husband) I would only help out around the rescue and not foster. Well that flew out the window the very first day! I brought home a malnourished one year old hound and fell in love with fostering and showing the dogs what a good life is. I even "foster failed" 2 dogs when I already had 2 of my own. Late 2019 I transitioned to the medical team to help the rescue in other ways. I ensure that all the dogs are medically ready for adoption to their fur-ever home. I love my "job" and wouldn't have it any other way. The volunteers of Adoption First have become my second family. |
North Carolina Board Members
Staci Ventura
Heidi McLaughlin
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Michele Pauls
Amanda Rowe
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Andrea Whatley
Photo coming soon
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Board Members
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Staci VenturaStaci is the founder of Adoption First Animal Rescue and the current President. She was raised in California and has lived in North Carolina for the last few years. She has a passion for dogs and wants to help the community, educate the public, and lower euthanasia rates in public shelters.
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Heidi McLaughlinHeidi joined the Adoption First team after being a customer. She adopted her dog from Adoption First in 2014 and has taken a more active role in the organization. She currently is the Vice President and wants to share her experience with others.
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Sabrina AdamsSabrina started with Adoption First in 2016 and strived to make Adoption First more active in the community. She is the Grant Writer and Event Coordinator. With her help the rescue has secured many grants and hosted community events.
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Breanna Perry
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My journey with adoption first started when we adopted "Sun" now Khaleesi December 3rd of 2016. My dog of 13 years passed away on our move across country on June 8th 2016 so I had been looking to fill the giant hole he left. She was the perfect fit and while fiesty she loved playing with dogs. I saw a post on the Facebook page asking for temporary fosters in March of 2017 and decided to take in my first foster. I LOVED it! It spiraled after that! I asked Staci what I could do to be more involved and started doing all the vetting around September 2017. It continues to spiral as I seem to get deeper and deeper daily but I can say I have truly found my passion. I have worked with animals all my life and this is the most rewarding "job" I've ever ha
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Val BurrolaI have been a foster with Adoption First since 2014. Caring for these incredible souls makes everything worth it. Some days are heartbreaking but watching a scared dog become confident and free from previous pain is the best thing anyone could experience. I love being part of this rescue family.
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Catalina Kesler
I am an active duty Marine and when I was stationed in Jacksonville, NC I was a volunteer at the local animal shelter. I became involved with AFAR when Staci helped me pull a dog from the local shelter that was at risk of being euthanized because he was so stressed at the rescue he could not pass his personality test. After AFAR saved my beautiful boy Tank, I became a regular volunteer and foster for them. Aside from the enjoyment of giving dogs an opportunity for a better life, I immensely enjoyed the human connections that AFAR enables its volunteers to forge. I made life long friends through AFAR and I know other volunteers have done as well. After volunteering for almost three years, I humbly accepted the opportunity to become a board member for AFAR so that I can help make a bigger impact in the lives of dogs that need our help and the families that choose Adoption First when growing their family with a four legged fur baby.
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