Shannon Walajtys

In the days before a major storm, in the middle of a civil war, or in the aftermath of a nuclear meltdown, Shannon Walajtys helps people do whatever it takes to rescue animals in crisis.

Drawing from years of first-hand experience in disaster zones around the world, Shannon advises governments and local partners in disaster-prone areas, keeping our interventions credible, coherent, and culturally appropriate.

Under Shannon’s leadership, IFAW has made strategic investments in disaster preparedness, building global networks of people and institutions who can quickly deploy wherever the need is. She has also spearheaded IFAW’s successful campaign for the humane treatment of animals in disaster response.

With disasters becoming more frequent and the impact more intense, Shannon keeps IFAW’s disaster response teams focused and prepared as the need for IFAW’s expertise, mobility and boots on the ground increases each year.