The Kansas City Municipal Animal Shelter, better known as KC Pet Project (KCPP), has been a leader in making Kansas City a No Kill animal community since 2012.

 If you have ever wondered, “who is the big mastermind behind all of KC Pet Project’s innovative methods?” you’re about to learn significantly more about that very person. The counselor who spearheaded the change to No Kill status is a petite, 5-foot-tall woman named Tori Fugate.

 The grassroots, nonprofit organization has accomplished much with her help since its rebrand of the Kansas City Municipal Animal Shelter just four years ago. Within the first six months KC Pet Project became the third largest, open admission, No Kill animal shelter in the United States. A huge accomplishment considering the shelter was euthanizing thousands of treatable animals the previous year.

 Upon meeting or seeing Tori for the first time, some may automatically think that she is much too young to be in such an important role. After speaking with her, even for a short time, you will understand why she is a substantial contributor to KC Pet Project. Tori’s quick wit, understanding and caring nature as well as expertise in marketing, public relations and advertising make her a nearly perfect fit. There are other attributes that qualify her for the position as well, “My passion for my hometown of Kansas City is surpassed by one thing, and one thing only, my love and passion for animals,” Tori Fugate said.

Tori has become the face of KC Pet Project. Her bleach blond pixie cut hairstyle and voice that sounds far too deep for her small frame to conjure, make her a recognizable individual. Functioning as the Manager of Marketing and Development she is highly involved and wears many hats for the organization. You may already know her as the spokesperson of KCPP. Tori often appears in live interviews on local Kansas City television news stations where she almost always has a furry friend by her side. She also made an appearance on the Rachael Ray show in 2013 representing KC Pet Project after the show reached out to her about a particular shelter puppy. Thanks to this dedicated lady’s efforts, media stories about KC Pet Project have recently been featured on outlets such as People, Inside Edition, and The Dodo.

 Although event planning is completely different from being a spokesperson or obtaining media coverage, Tori organizes every event KC Pet Project sponsors. As you probably can imagine event planning is no walk in the dog park, “Planning events is not a one man job, and I wouldn’t be able to successfully execute all of the events without help from my team and volunteers,” Tori Fugate said.

 While obtaining media coverage, event planning and being a spokesperson are all important functions, that is not where Tori’s job ends. She supervises all social media, web management, fundraising, public relations, advertising and donor management for KCPP. You might think that wearing all of those hats would leave Tori with hardly any time to sleep, but you’d be wrong. Tori is an alto in the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, serves on the Friends of the River Board of Directors and the Drury University Regional Board of Directors for Kansas City, and is a member of the Social Media Club of Kansas City and Young Friends of the Art at the Nelson Atkins Museum.