Tricia Montgomery

Development Director – Gulf Coast Humane Society

Tricia Montgomery is focused on transforming animal welfare, veterinary care, and the pet industry for the better. After a personal 130-pound weight-loss journey with her dog, Louie, Tricia leaned into the power of the human–animal bond and began her professional path with the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. There, as Executive Director/Public Education Director, she built programs, led nationally recognized public-health/media initiatives, and coordinated large-scale community response efforts.

Armed with that insight into how pets change human health, Tricia later founded K9 Fit Club®, the nation’s first science-based fitness program for people and their dogs. She created proprietary formats (from Pupilates™ to Bow Wow Bootcamp and Fungility™) and scaled the brand to 83 locations in two years via their licensing model, earning the Pet Care Innovation Prize (Purina) and national coverage on the Today Show, Fox News, Good Morning America, USA Today, and The Washington Post. A media favorite known for her empathy and wit, Tricia is frequently featured across national publications, television, and podcasts.

Tricia went on to serve as CEO of PAWS Humane Society, guiding 11 departments through the pandemic, more than doubling grants and donations, launching a fully funded Pet Food Pantry, turning the clinic to profitability, and forging academic and transport programs that improved outcomes for pets and people.

Tricia has advised companies, nonprofits, and municipalities across the companion-animal ecosystem on strategy, standards, and growth to global municipal planning with NEOM – The Line, Saudi Arabia. She also founded Moose’s March, a 501c3 dedicated to the early detection of pet cancer in honor of her heart dog Moose, who died of Stage 4 Lymphoma. She is a writer for PetMD, co-hosts the Pets Are Family podcast, and currently serves as Development Director for Gulf Coast Humane Society, where she focuses on strategic fundraising, corporate, and community partnerships. Tricia is co-author (with Dr. Ernie Ward and Dr. David Levine) of Better You, Better Dog, Better Life: 30 Days to Happiness with Your Best Friend.