Kristen Hassen

Kristen Hassen (formerly Auerbach-Hassen) is the Principal of Outcomes for Pets Consulting, LLC, a premier consultancy in the animal shelter and welfare industry. With a strong focus on data-driven strategies for lifesaving and humane care, Hassen also serves as a Faculty Fellow at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, mentoring students and guiding the next generation of animal welfare leaders.

Over the past decade, Hassen has led some of the largest and most complex animal shelters in the country, including the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Austin Animal Center, and Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona. She is the only shelter director to have achieved a sustained 90% live outcomes rate at three different shelters, two of which take in nearly 20,000 animals annually.

As a consultant, Hassen has worked with the government animal shelters in some of the largest cities in the United States, including Los Angeles City, Riverside County, San Diego County, Miami-Dade, Dallas, San Antonio, and Maui. Her clients also include renowned national organizations and nonprofits like the ASPCA, Petco Love, Pedigree Foundation, Banfield Foundation, VCA Charities, Best Friends Animal Society, Jackson Galaxy Enterprises, the Kitten Lady, and Maddie’s Fund. Kristen is an advisory board member for Petszel and serves on the board of the Austin AI Alliance.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her receipt of the 2020 Maddie’s Hero Award from Maddie’s Fund and being named the 2018 Executive Leader of the Year by Tucson Insider. Besides these accolades, she co-created the "2022 Big Dog Masterclass Virtual Conference," which attracted a significant number of 3,300 registrants. Her innovative approach also led to the construction of the largest municipal shelter foster program in the U.S. Furthermore, Hassen has shared her knowledge by teaching at Maddie’s Fund Executive Fellowship and Apprenticeships programs.