Tama Lundquist

Co-Founder

Tama Lundquist is recognized as a champion and crusader for unwanted, abused, and neglected animals who do not have a voice of their own. Influenced by the values and ethics of her parents while growing up in northern Minnesota, Tama has been generously volunteering her time and talent for 15 consecutive years to alleviate suffering and combat animal homelessness in the greater Houston area. Tama and her husband, Dr. Peter Farrell, are united in their steadfast commitment to providing significant philanthropic support for people and animals. She is the proud and devoted mom of Harrison “Cole” Owen and dog mom to her rescues – the much-adored Sonny Corleone, the newest addition Vinny, and the ever precious Sparky, whom she co-manages with Cole. 

With her unwavering commitment to animal advocacy, Tama began her animal rescue career in 2008 by joining the Houston PetSet board of directors. She and her identical twin sister Tena Lundquist Faust are co-presidents of Houston PetSet, which is a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to ending homelessness and suffering of companion animals and elevating their status in society. As co-chairs of the Houston PetSet Soiree for more than 10 years, Tama and Tena have raised more than $5 million for hundreds of animal welfare organizations and have played an active role in impacting the lives of millions of animals.

In 2022, Tama and Tena co-founded RouTTe One Productions, a film company dedicated to creating compelling narratives that inspire and effect positive change. Their debut film, For the Animals, which will premiere in Houston on July 27 and around the world on July 28, 2023, tells the story of forgotten animals in the greater Houston area and the fight to save them. RouTTe One Productions collaborated with award-winning Siddhayatan Tirth Productions to create this powerful documentary. 

Tama and Tena routinely serve as sources on a local, regional and national level for media on topics related to animal welfare and solving the animal overpopulation problem in the greater Houston area. They were instrumental in influencing Texas legislators over a period of six years to support bills that led to the passage of the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act that went into effect on January 18, 2022. This act defines adequate shelter to protect dogs from extreme weather, storms, and standing water. 

Acutely aware of the severity of the alarming number of homeless animals in Houston, she and Tena were compelled to establish the Highland Village Adoption Center in Houston in 2007. She and Tena secured high visibility retail space and maintained a 6,000 square-foot pet adoption center in Houston. Tena and Tama coordinated with City of Houston leaders and staff to assist its Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control (BARC) by taking dogs and cats from its facility to adopt from pet adoption centers located at Highland Village, West Ave and Uptown Park. Through this initiative and with the tremendous support of committed animal lovers, she and Tena helped to transform a one-time, three-weekend Holiday Adoption Event into a three-year “semi –permanent” adoption program and facility that successfully placed as many as 2,500 dogs and cats.

In 2012, Tama and Tena served as founding members of Houston’s Bureau of Animal Welfare and Control (BARC) Foundation. In this capacity, Tama worked directly with the City of Houston, then-Mayor Annise Parker, city council members and other staff members to address the animal overpopulation issue and its consequences.  

Tama and Tena served on the transition team for Fort Bend County Judge KP George and played a crucial role in establishing and launching the Fort Bend County Animal Cruelty Taskforce. Working with Crime Stoppers of Houston, she and Tena also helped to establish the Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force which brought together the District Attorney’s Office and all five branches of Houston’s major law enforcement agencies.

Tama's impact extends far beyond her animal advocacy efforts. She serves as a board member with Magpies and Peacocks, and she contributes to the Crime Stoppers of Houston Leading Women for Public Safety program. For the past seven years, Tama has been taking her rescue dog, Sonny Corleone whom she pulled from a ditch, to the maximum security juvenile facility in Harris County. Sonny’s story of learning to love and trust again mirrors the journey of these kids who are 17 and under and who have been convicted of a felony.

Several years ago, Tama’s son Cole befriended a homeless high school classmate who was struggling to find food, clothing, and shelter. Tama offered the young man a safe haven at her home for over a year. Tama continues to provide financial and emotional support for this young man and his older brother. This experience with these brothers led her to become actively involved in 2017 with Eight Million Stories, working directly with troubled youth of all ages. Also known as 8 Million Stories, Eight Million Stories is a nonprofit organization that transforms the lives of vulnerable youth ages 9 to early 20s through education, skills training, employment, and authentic relationships. For her contributions and commitment, Tama was honored with the 8 Million Stories Youth Advocacy Award in 2022.

In 2003, Tama agreed to served as a volunteer mentor at Allie’s House in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and worked closely to provide guidance and emotional support for young and unmarried pregnant women and new mothers. Twenty years later, she continues to stay in touch with several of the young women whom she has mentored.

Tama has received numerous accolades for her philanthropic efforts including House Resolution 1284 presented by Texas Representative Sarah Davis, a proclamation for Highland Village Pet Adoptions in 2011 from then-Mayor Annise Parker, a Houston PetSet Day Proclamation presented by Mayor Sylvester Turner, the 2016 Monty’s Task Force Humanitarian Award, the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce Texas Strong Hero Award in 2018, the Interfaith Ministries’ Animeals on Wheels Animal Champion, and the 2014 Leiv Platou Crime Stoppers Award. In 2023, The Social Book named Tama as a “Houston Treasure.”

Along with Tena, Tama was honored with the 2017 Citizens for Animal Protection Celebrity Paws Hall of Fame and the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year Melcher Award from Citizens for Animal Protection. Tama and Tena were awarded the 2021 Houston Woman Magazine’s Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2021, and Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business for 2022. She and Tena are co-recipients of the Spirit of Texas Award by Cadillac and were chosen as 2022 Houston Emancipet Gala honorees. In April 2023, the Harris County Commissioners Court honored Tama, Tena, and Houston PetSet for their dedicated service for the animals of Houston.

Tama graduated cum laude from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a minor in art history. She graduated from Sophia University with a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology.  

When she allows herself to take a break, Tama cherishes private time at home with Peter and their furry family. Movie dates with her beloved son Cole, whom she adores with all of her heart and soul, rank high on Tama’s list of best ways to relax and recharge! She, Peter and Cole also enjoy traveling together to experience new places and meeting new people and animals in the U.S. and abroad.