Connecting Data, Medicine, and Shelters to Save More Kittens - Maddie's Community Conversations (On Demand)

Shafonda Davis Allen, CAWA, is a nationally respected animal welfare leader whose work centers equity, community partnership, and the belief that people and pets thrive when systems are designed with compassion and access at the core. With nearly three decades of experience, she brings deep operational knowledge, policy insight, and a lived-experience lens to conversations about the future of animal well-being.

A proud Durham, North Carolina native, Shafonda began her career as an adoption counselor and advanced through every level of shelter operations, ultimately serving more than 12 years as Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Durham. Her leadership is marked by resilience, transparency, and a commitment to dismantling barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Shafonda is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and has served on the Board of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, where she continues to contribute as a member of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She previously served on the boards of the North Carolina Animal Federation and Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity.

Today, Shafonda is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Back to Basics Animal Welfare Leadership Consulting, where she mentors emerging leaders, supports organizations navigating complex challenges, and advocates for community-rooted solutions. Her work is grounded in shared power, strong networks, and the courage to reimagine humane care for both people and animals.

Marnie Russ created Kitten College when she saw the need for trained foster caregivers to save the most vulnerable animals in shelters. She tested and honed the concept at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in Arlington, VA before bringing the program to shelters around the country. With Kitten College's help, Arlington went from saving 92 kittens a year in 2016 to 1547 kittens in 2022 all while maintaining a no kill live release rate. Marnie has been fostering neonatal kittens for over two decades, specializing in critical-care neonates and high-risk nursing/expectant queens.  Marnie is a recognized expert on caring for at-risk kittens. She is co-founder of the National Kitten Coalition and speaks nationally about at-risk neonatal kittens.  Her advice and expertise are sought from shelters and rescues across the country. In 2023, Marnie assisted UC Davis and the University of Wisconsin to update their neonatal kitten guidelines for mass distribution.  

 Marnie sits on multiple Boards for spay/neuter organizations throughout the county including Fox Hollow Animal Project in Montana and Caring Hands Animal Support and Education – International Advocacy.  She annually travels to third world countries assisting in international spay/neuter projects to help impact the lives of street animals in underserved areas.  

Meredith Hippert currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Kitten College. For over a decade, she has led operations for large-scale veterinary and TNR programs across the U.S. and internationally. Her extensive background includes overseeing shelter operations, managing veterinary services at a high-intake municipal shelter, and training veterinary teams in high-volume techniques. In addition to coordinating wide-reaching TNR and preventative care campaigns, Meredith provides expert consulting to help shelters strategically scale their lifesaving programs.