Rory Adams utilizes feminist frameworks to honor the connection between people and animals. As a transgender person with an education in feminism, gender, and literature, Rory is most comfortable leading from the margins; working at the intersections of social justice and animal welfare to create equitable and inclusive change for people, animals, and the planet.

 Before joining PetSmart Charities, Rory worked for over 16 years in animal well-being at the local and national levels, including American Pets Alive and Maddie's Fund, where he created, developed, and implemented Maddie’s Apprenticeship and Fellowship programs.  Rory is passionate about ensuring all shelter animals are valued and given a chance at life. Rory’s areas of expertise include connecting people and pets, creating learning opportunities for the field, increasing community engagement, removing barriers to foster care and adoption, and teaching shelter directors and advocates how to access, understand, and utilize shelter data.

Rory believes that people are the solution to creating a world where animals and people thrive. Rory is committed to expanding programs that grow future leaders, heal injustices, facilitate the inclusion of historically marginalized people, and celebrate the love between people, animals, and our habitats.