Who Is Hannah Shaw (Kitten Lady)? All About Tommy Shaw’s Daughter

Hannah Shaw, widely known as the Kitten Lady, is one of the most influential animal welfare advocates of the modern era. She has dedicated her life to saving the smallest and most vulnerable felines—neonatal kittens who often have no other chance at survival. As a humane educator, bestselling author, nonprofit founder, speaker, and social media powerhouse, she has reshaped how the world understands kitten care. Through her books, global workshops, nonprofit initiatives, and millions of followers, she has become a leading voice in animal rescue.

Her lifestyle reflects devotion, compassion, and purpose, while her financial success and family background—combined with her father Tommy Shaw’s multimillion-dollar career—place her family’s combined net worth between $19 million and $22 million. Her journey from a pet-free childhood in New York City to becoming the face of kitten rescue is one of passion, transformation, and unwavering commitment.

Quick Bio – Hannah Shaw

Hannah Shaw’s Early Life and Family Background

Born July 9, 1987, in the heart of New York City, Hannah René Shaw entered the world during the marriage of musician Tommy Shaw and actress Pamela Donnelly. Though raised in a creative household surrounded by artistry, she grew up without any pets—a surprising contrast to the life she would eventually build. As a teenager, she cared for a rabbit named Dina, which taught her early lessons about commitment and compassion. However, it wasn’t until the age of twenty-one that her life shifted dramatically. In 2008, she spotted a tiny kitten stuck in a tree and climbed up to rescue it. That moment sparked the mission that would define her future, setting her on a path toward neonatal kitten advocacy and rescue education.

Her upbringing blended the glamour of the entertainment world with a grounded sense of empathy. Even though she didn’t grow up surrounded by animals, she always felt drawn toward protecting vulnerable beings. This natural instinct ultimately became the cornerstone of her purpose-driven life.

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Hannah Shaw Parents and Family Lineage

The family background of Hannah Shaw adds a unique dimension to her identity. She comes from a lineage rooted in music, performance, and creativity.

Father: Tommy Shaw

Her father, Tommy Roland Shaw, is a celebrated American rock musician best known as the guitarist and co-frontman of the legendary rock band Styx. Throughout his decades-long career, he has performed around the world, released chart-topping albums, and helped shape rock history. He was also a member of the supergroup Damn Yankees. Despite his fame, Tommy expresses deep admiration for his daughter’s work, often referring to her as his “firstborn daughter” and crediting her for inspiring him personally. Fans who recognize him through her often joke that he is “Kitten Lady’s dad,” a title he joyfully embraces.

Mother: Pamela Donnelly

Hannah’s mother, Pamela Donnelly, is an actress and former model who built a career in entertainment long before her daughter became a public figure. Pamela has always supported Hannah’s mission and frequently expresses her pride in the impact her daughter is making around the world. Their close relationship is evident through personal posts, birthday tributes, and shared moments.

Parents’ Marriage and Divorce

Tommy Shaw and Pamela Donnelly married in 1986 and welcomed Hannah the following year. Their marriage ended in 1993, but both remained actively involved in her upbringing. The family dynamic offered Hannah a blend of artistic influence and emotional support, contributing to the strength and individuality she carries today.

Kitten Lady Siblings and Family

Publicly, there is no confirmed information about biological siblings for Hannah Shaw. However, her extended family on her father’s side includes step-mother Jeanne Mason, whom Tommy married in 2000, and several aunts and uncles from his Alabama-rooted family. Though not directly involved in the animal world, her extended family’s artistic background contributed to her bold, expressive personality.

Education and Academic Journey

Hannah pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women’s Studies from George Mason University. Her academic exploration of trauma, social systems, and caregiving shaped her compassionate worldview. She later expanded her education with specialized certifications, including:

• A wildlife rehabilitation certificate from North Carolina State University
• A grant-writing certification from Duke University

These educational experiences prepared her for the future demands of neonatal kitten care, nonprofit management, and global advocacy.

Early Career Foundations

Before she became the Kitten Lady, Hannah worked in consulting, creating training materials for organizations and nonprofits. While steady and structured, the job lacked personal meaning—until her first kitten rescue changed everything. Once she realized the urgent need for neonatal kitten education, she left her consulting career and devoted herself entirely to creating training programs, rescue content, and hands-on care for kittens under eight weeks old.

Career and Professional Life

As her passion grew, so did her impact. Hannah launched Kitten Lady, a global educational platform offering videos, workshops, guides, and visual demonstrations for fostering neonates. She published over 470 instructional YouTube videos, gained more than 320 million views, and built a community of 4+ million followers across platforms. She travels internationally teaching animal shelters, rescue groups, and communities how to save lives through proper neonatal care.

Her approachable teaching style, emotional storytelling, and real-time rescue updates have turned complex medical procedures into accessible steps for foster parents everywhere. Today, the Kitten Lady brand is considered one of the most trusted educational resources for kitten rescue worldwide.

Orphan Kitten Club and Advocacy Work

Determined to create systemic change, Hannah founded the Orphan Kitten Club (OKC)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to neonatal care, adoption, and rescue innovation. Her nonprofit includes:

• A full neonatal kitten nursery
• A Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program
• The groundbreaking Mightycat Grant Program, the first of its kind for neonatal kittens in the U.S.

Through OKC, she has distributed more than $4 million in lifesaving grants to animal shelters and rescue organizations. These programs have collectively impacted over 88,000 cats across the nation, making her work one of the most influential in feline welfare today.

Published Works and Literary Success

Hannah Shaw is also a respected author with multiple bestselling titles. Her major works include:

• Tiny But Mighty (2019) — A bestselling guide to neonatal kitten care
• Kitten Lady’s Big Book of Little Kittens (2019)
• Kitten Lady’s CATivity Book (2022)
• Adventures in Fosterland series (2021–2025)
• Cats of the World (2024) — co-authored with her husband
• Cat Got Your Tongue? (2025)

Her books blend education, storytelling, and real rescue experiences, making them essential reads for animal lovers around the world.

Hannah Shaw’s Age, Height, and More

Born on July 9, 1987, Hannah Shaw is 38 years old as of early 2026. Although she has not confirmed her height publicly, she appears to be around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) based on visual comparisons. Known for her gentle presence, expressive features, and calm, mission-focused demeanor, she presents a relatable and authentic image as a modern animal advocate. Her vegan lifestyle, active rescue routines, and constant hands-on work contribute to her energetic and healthy public appearance.

Ethnicity, Religion, and Nationality

Hannah Shaw is of white ethnicity and holds American nationality. She was raised in a Catholic household and attended Catholic school during her childhood in New York City. While her early upbringing included religious structure, her public presence today focuses primarily on animal advocacy rather than personal religious practice.

Relationship, Marriage, and Family Life with Andrew Marttila

Hannah Shaw’s relationship with Andrew Marttila, a professional cat photographer, began in 2016 when they bonded over their shared commitment to animal rescue. They maintained a long-distance relationship before moving in together in 2017, building their connection through rescue work, creative projects, and travel.

The couple married in 2023 at an animal sanctuary, reflecting their shared mission. They now live in San Diego, managing a home filled with resident rescue cats and a steady rotation of foster kittens. Their partnership is defined by mutual support and a joint dedication to feline welfare.

Hannah has no human children; instead, her family life centers on the animals she cares for. Her first rescue, Coco, remains one of her most meaningful foster successes and the moment that shaped her path in neonatal kitten advocacy.

Who Is Her Husband, Andrew Marttila?

Andrew, born October 5, 1985, is a respected photographer known for capturing expressive and humorous images of cats. He founded his photography brand, built a following of more than 600,000 on social media, and authored the popular book Shop Cats of New York. Together, Andrew and Hannah document animal rescue journeys, celebrate cats through photography, and co-authored Cats of the World.

Her Family Life, Daily Routine, and Personal Interests

Hannah Shaw does not have human children; instead, her family life centers on her resident rescue cats and the steady rotation of foster kittens she cares for, including Coco—the 2008 rescue that shaped her entire mission. Her daily routine revolves around neonatal schedules, often waking every few hours for bottle-feeding.

A vegan since age 15, she follows a plant-based lifestyle aligned with her ethics. To maintain balance, she prioritizes simple self-care, such as nightly bubble baths and spending time outdoors through hiking or beach visits. She and her husband, Andrew, also make at least one major international trip each year to broaden their perspective beyond rescue work.

Home Setup and Kitten Nursery Environment

Hannah’s home is designed as a sanctuary for neonatal kittens. She built two specialized rescue rooms: a neonatal nursery equipped with incubators, heating systems, and medical supplies, and a socialization room for older kittens to learn play, movement, and confidence before adoption. These spaces ensure every kitten receives structured, loving care.

Media Presence, Interviews, and Public Perception

Her work has been featured on Animal Planet, My Cat From Hell, and multiple documentaries. She is regarded as the leading expert on neonatal kitten care, trusted by shelters, veterinarians, and global rescue communities. Her followers view her as compassionate, intelligent, and selflessly devoted to saving lives.

Kitten Lady’s Net Worth and Financial Standing

Although Hannah’s exact personal earnings are not publicly revealed, her income stems from bestselling books, workshops, social media, educational content, and her nonprofit leadership. However, when combined with her father Tommy Shaw’s long-standing musical success, their family’s estimated financial standing is between $19 million and $22 million. This combined financial stability has allowed Hannah to expand her nonprofit, fund shelters nationwide, and continue investing in rescue innovation.

Hannah Shaw’s Philanthropy, Legacy, and Current Life

Hannah Shaw’s philanthropic impact is far-reaching. Through the Orphan Kitten Club, she funds shelters, supports ethical pediatric feline research, and provides resources to underserved communities, helping prevent euthanasia and improving care for the most vulnerable kittens. Her work has saved tens of thousands of lives and reshaped global understanding of neonatal feline welfare. By training shelters, creating widely used educational tools, and inspiring new generations of rescuers, she has established a lasting legacy rooted in compassion and practical innovation.

Today, she continues her mission from San Diego, living with her husband and rescue animals while planning to expand her nonprofit’s programs, publish more books, travel internationally, and deepen awareness around neonatal kitten care—all while maintaining a strong sense of privacy and purpose.

Conclusion

Hannah Shaw, the Kitten Lady, is a trailblazing animal advocate whose work has reshaped kitten rescue forever. From her early days in New York City to the global stage of animal welfare, she has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, intelligence, and innovation. Her dedication to saving neonatal kittens, educating millions, and building a nonprofit that changes lives has cemented her as one of the most influential figures in feline welfare. Her story continues to inspire countless people around the world to open their hearts, learn, and join the mission of protecting the most vulnerable animals.

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FAQs

1. How old is Hannah Shaw, the Kitten Lady?

Hannah Shaw was born on July 9, 1987, making her 38 years old as of early 2026.

2. What is Hannah Shaw known for?

She is best known for her neonatal kitten rescue work, her educational platform Kitten Lady, and founding the Orphan Kitten Club.

3. Who are Hannah Shaw’s parents?

Her parents are Tommy Shaw, the guitarist of Styx, and Pamela Donnelly, an actress and former model.

4. Who is Hannah Shaw married to?

Hannah is married to Andrew Marttila, a renowned cat photographer. They married in 2023 at an animal sanctuary.

5. What is Hannah Shaw’s estimated height?

While not officially confirmed, she appears to be around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm).

6. What is Hannah Shaw’s net worth?

Her personal earnings are not publicly disclosed, but her combined family net worth, including her father’s career success, is estimated at $19M–$22M.

7. Does Hannah Shaw have children?

She has no human children, but dedicates her life to caring for her resident rescue cats and a continuous rotation of foster kittens.

8. What books has Hannah Shaw written?

She authored Tiny But Mighty, Kitten Lady’s Big Book of Little Kittens, the Adventures in Fosterland series, Cats of the World, and more.

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