- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Pets Fur People Appoints Kat Cortelyou as New Executive Director
Passionate animal advocate brings over a decade of leadership experience to the East Texas nonprofit.
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Pets Fur People, a Tyler, Texas-based animal welfare organization, has announced the appointment of Kat Cortelyou as its new executive director. Cortelyou is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over 10 years of experience in animal rescue, shelter operations, and advocacy.
Why it matters
Pets Fur People is a well-established no-kill animal shelter that has served the East Texas community for decades. Cortelyou's appointment signals a new chapter for the organization as it continues its mission of providing compassionate care and lifesaving services to animals in the region.
The details
Cortelyou previously served as the director of operations for SPCA East Texas, where she significantly expanded the organization's transport program and increased intake and adoptions. Most recently, she was the animal services manager for the city of Athens, leading initiatives in animal control, sheltering, and welfare. Cortelyou is a respected advocate in the field, serving on the Texas Animal Control Association Board of Directors and as a Texas Certified Cruelty Investigator.
- Pets Fur People announced Cortelyou's appointment on March 5, 2026.
- Cortelyou succeeds Holli Jones, who served as executive director from December 2024 to December 2025 before stepping down to become the Smith County Animal Shelter Coordinator.
- Prior to Jones, Gayle Helms served as executive director for 26 years before retiring in late 2024.
The players
Kat Cortelyou
The new executive director of Pets Fur People, a passionate advocate for animals and a dedicated nonprofit professional with over a decade of leadership experience in animal welfare.
Angie Bullington
The board president of Pets Fur People, who expressed enthusiasm about Cortelyou's appointment and her ability to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Holli Jones
The previous executive director of Pets Fur People, who served from December 2024 to December 2025 before stepping down to become the Smith County Animal Shelter Coordinator.
Gayle Helms
The former executive director of Pets Fur People, who served for 26 years before retiring in late 2024 and is credited with transforming the facility into a no-kill sanctuary.
What they’re saying
“We are thrilled to welcome Kat to the Pets Fur People family. Her enthusiasm, experience, and heart for animal welfare make her an outstanding choice to lead our organization into its next chapter.”
— Angie Bullington, Board President (tylerpaper.com)
The takeaway
Kat Cortelyou's appointment as the new executive director of Pets Fur People marks a significant transition for the long-standing East Texas animal welfare organization. With her extensive experience in animal rescue, shelter operations, and advocacy, Cortelyou is well-positioned to build upon the organization's legacy and continue providing compassionate care and lifesaving services to animals in the region.
