ExpertAdvisors-Ellen Jefferson

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, is the President and CEO for Austin and American Pets Alive! and serves on the Executive Team for the Human Animal Support Services Project, an international collective of shelter industry leaders, moving government Animal Services to become Human Animal Support Services.

Dr. Jefferson has had a diverse career in rural, urban, private, emergency and shelter practice, founding EmanciPET spay/neuter clinic and leading Austin’s successful efforts to become the largest No Kill City in the United States. She authored “Using Data to Make Austin a No-Kill City,” published by Maddie’s Fund, as well as work in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine.

Among her many awards, she was unanimously chosen to receive the first Avanzino Leadership Award, given for outstanding contributions to the No Kill movement. She serves on the National Steering Committee for Best Friends Animal Society, the Shelter Advisory Council for Pedigree Foundation, and the North American COVID-19 Response Coalition.