Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, a premier community and animal adoption center focused on strengthening the human-animal bond, is thrilled to welcome a dynamic new leader. Allison Cardona officially joins on August 11, 2025, bringing a transformative vision and extensive background in animal welfare.

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Allison Cardona, Director, Wallis Annenberg PetSpace. Photo by Rachel Hissong.

Joining PetSpace as it marks its eighth anniversary, Cardona brings decades of leadership, most recently as the California State Director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis, where she led a team administering $37.5 million in state funding for California animal shelters. There, she oversaw grants prioritizing municipal shelters and animal control agencies, in support of programs to keep pets in their homes and increase access to veterinary care, foster, adoptions, and community outreach programs.

Cardona also held a leadership position for five years as deputy director for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. In that role, she oversaw two full-service animal shelters, a communications center, public relations, adoption partners, behavior and enrichment, and volunteer and community outreach programs.

“I’m deeply honored to join PetSpace at this pivotal moment,” said Cardona. “I have dedicated my career to enhancing the human-animal bond and strengthening community support for pets and the people who care for them. I look forward to building on Wallis Annenberg’s visionary legacy—bringing innovative programs, expanding community outreach, and ensuring every pet and person we serve thrives together.”

Under Cardona’s leadership, PetSpace plans to enhance its Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Extraordinary Care Fund, scale up spay/neuter and shelter medicine services, and expand humane education and adoption programs, aligning closely with its mission to support pets and families across Southern California.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Aradhna Oliphant, Chief Operations and Strategy Officer, shared, “We are delighted to welcome Allison Cardona as the new Director of PetSpace. Her expertise, passion, and fresh perspective will help us deepen the human-animal bond in our community and create meaningful, creative experiences for pets and people alike. Allison is exactly the leader needed to continue our innovative legacy established by our beloved Founder, Wallis Annenberg.”

Since its opening in 2017, PetSpace has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors, students, and learners, while providing life-saving care and finding new homes for thousands of animals.

From the beginning, PetSpace initiatives have focused squarely on the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and pets, as well as the origins and science of that relationship. This is demonstrated through animal care and adoption, learning and leadership, and expanding the PetSpace community. Additionally, PetSpace convenes academic leaders and industry practitioners to address opportunities for innovation in both the science and practice of animal welfare.

PetSpace is an innovative symbol of Wallis Annenberg’s philanthropic work, which has long supported organizations and projects dedicated to improving the wellbeing of people and communities in Los Angeles and throughout the world.

About

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace is a unique community space featuring an interactive place for pet adoptions, an education center, and a leadership institute. PetSpace focuses squarely on the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and science of that relationship. To learn more, please visit annenbergpetspace.org.

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