Kate has been working on behalf of animals in some facet most of her life and in 2012 joined the Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, as the Florida State Director. In her role in Florida, Kate works from one end of the state to the other on animal protection measures pushing for more humane policies, local ordinances, legislation and more. When she’s not working on policy and legislation she’s often working with animal shelter professionals, law enforcement partners, or advocates on positive changes for animals.
She also works with the state wildlife agency, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, on wildlife protection issues including captive wildlife, trophy hunting, wildlife trapping, manatees and more. Kate is known to create and join various coalition groups of like-minded groups, professionals, and advocates on any number of issues; she believes working together makes us stronger and better equipped to facilitate meaningful change on behalf of animals.
The plight of wild animals is an area of particular concern, and she works to engage others to speak up for all animals: companion animals & wildlife and more. Even though Florida’s animal cruelty statutes are intended to protect all animals, wild animals are undoubtedly treated differently when compared to companion animals & pets.
After working on greyhound protection legislation for almost a decade, greyhounds finally made it onto the ballot in Florida and Kate served as co-chair of the Protect Dogs- Yes on 13 campaign to pass Amendment 13 and phase out greyhound racing in FL by the end of 2020.
She travels extensively around the state connecting with local elected officials, legislators, and animal advocates building a grassroots network for animal protection issues- she especially enjoys visiting the animals, dedicated staff and volunteers at animal shelters, sanctuaries, and wildlife protection groups.
Kate lives in Tallahassee with her husband and several dogs and cats including a shelter foster dog or two. Kate co-founded and serves on the board of the Animal Shelter Foundation Inc., a Friends of group for Tallahassee Animal Services. She also fosters for her local humane society and is a proud shelter volunteer and foster mom for her local municipal shelter. Kate is a strong believer in citizen advocacy and will talk to anyone (and does) about some kind of effort to protect animals.
She is very excited about this opportunity and intends to use the knowledge gained through the MSL program to continue working on meaningful animal protection policies and legislation for all animals in Florida.