Laura Houston

Laura Houston is the Executive Director of the Animal Welfare Association (AWA), where she leads efforts to create a compassionate community dedicated to animal welfare and pet owner support. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, Laura is deeply committed to reducing animal homelessness, promoting the human-animal bond, and enhancing access to affordable pet care. Under her leadership, AWA has expanded its services to provide critical resources, including adoption services, low-cost veterinary care, and educational programs that promote responsible pet ownership, across South Jersey.

Laura’s vision is to achieve a zero-tolerance policy for unnecessary animal suffering, proactively prevent animal homelessness, and improve pet care accessibility, especially in underserved communities like Camden, NJ. She has championed initiatives such as the VOW (Vets on Wheels) Program, which offers free vaccines, preventative care, and essential supplies to pet owners in need. She continues to drive AWA’s educational outreach, inspiring future generations through empathy and STEM-based programs, and solidifying AWA as a vital resource for pet owners and animal lovers alike.

Laura holds both Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in English from Rutgers University–Camden. Dedicated to her community, she serves on the board of the Voorhees Business Association, is a member of the Voorhees Cultural Diversity Committee, South Jersey Women in Business and NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), She served as Secretary for the Gloucester Commission for Women. She was named the 2025 Alignable Local Business Person of the Year for Voorhees, NJ. A lifelong resident of West Deptford, NJ, Laura enjoys connecting with nature, cheering on Philadelphia sports teams, and spending time with her partner, Bill, along with their three rescue dogs and two sassy African grey parrots.