Tawny Hammond

A graduate of the Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies program at Southern Utah University, Tawny has more than 30 years of experience in the public service arena, creating and implementing programs and services, working effectively with appointed and elected officials, creating and leading teams focused on professional excellence and best practices.  

Tawny has a proven track record of success, serving for more than 25 years in municipal government in Fairfax County, Virginia. She brought the Fairfax County Animal Shelter to a 90 percent save rate in less than two years by removing ineffective breed restrictions, growing a robust volunteer program, establishing a cutting-edge foster program for the dogs losing their lives, strengthening community cat programs, and establishing the animal shelter as a community center for residents of Fairfax. 

Tawny is also the former chief of animal services for Austin, Texas. Under Tawny’s leadership, Austin and Travis County, Texas, reached a new milestone in 2017, achieving a save rate of 98% of the more than 17,000 animals who came through the doors. 

Tawny is devoted to ending the killing of pets in shelters and believes that how we treat pets, and their people is connected to social justice, community wellness and our compassion as a society. 

As the current director of no-kill advancement at Best Friends Animal Society, Tawny’s role is to communicate and advocate for what no-kill animal services are and their connectivity to better government and compassionate communities. She writes and speaks on all topics related to ending the killing of companion animals in our nation’s shelters.