Born in the UK, Jill arrived in Hong Kong in 1985 and spent 12 years working in Asia as a consultant for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Repeatedly faced with scenes of widespread animal cruelty, she decided to introduce the concept of "animal welfare through people welfare" and founded Dr. Dog in Hong Kong in 1991 – the first animal-therapy program in Asia. 

In 2010, both Animals Asia's China and Vietnam rescue centers were awarded the Carole Noon Award for Sanctuary Excellence and in 2014 they were accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – the only sanctuaries in China and Vietnam to have received this honor. 

Jill is a Council Member of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) Herbal Committee and her outstanding contribution to animal welfare has been recognized with several awards. In 1995, she won the "Reader's Digest" Hero for Today award. In 1998, she was made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth of England. In 2008, she was named "Outstanding Earth Champion" in Hong Kong and was appointed World Animal Day Ambassador for Asia. In 2010, she was one of 12 recognized foreigners given the "You Bring Charm to China" award. 

Jill received an honorary doctorate in veterinary science from the University of Zurich, Switzerland in 2012, and an honorary law degree from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China in 2014. She shares her home in Hong Kong with her family of rescued dogs, cats and a tortoise.