The National Animal Care & Control Association has been presenting national awards since 1988 at the annual training conference. The men and women who dedicate their lives to preserving the human/animal bond by insisting upon responsible pet ownership deserve to be recognized at every opportunity.
There are an incredible number of professionals in the animal welfare field doing such amazing work. The 2021 award recipients are as follows:
NACA 2021 – OUTSTANDING ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL AGENCY
Recipient – Pasco County Animal Services
This award is presented to an individual agency that best promotes and exemplifies professionalism in the animal care and control field. This award’s selection criterion includes effective training programs for personnel, outstanding/innovative public education programs, active community involvement, and average officer response time to calls for assistance.
NACA 2021 – ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Recipient – Officer Jaime McNutt
This award is given to an individual that has been directly involved in the animal care and control profession for a minimum of five years. Recipients may be nominated for a single outstanding achievement in animal one of the three specific groups, or long-term exceptional performance in the animal care and control field.
NACA 2021 – HUMANE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Recipient – Officer Kimberly Taylor
This award is given to an individual that has been directly involved in the animal care and control profession for a minimum of five years. Recipients may be nominated for a single outstanding achievement in animal one of the three specific groups, or long-term exceptional performance in the animal care and control field.
NACA 2021 – ANIMAL CARE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Recipient – Cindy Rarrat
This award is given to an individual that has been directly involved in the animal care and control profession for a minimum of five years. Recipients may be nominated for a single outstanding achievement in animal one of the three specific groups, or long-term exceptional performance in the animal care and control field.
NACA 2021 – OUTSTANDING STATE ASSOCIATION
Oregon Animal Control Council
This award recognizes the State Animal Control Association that best promotes and exemplifies professionalism in the animal care and control field. Factors considered in granting this award include the number of active members, increases in new members, improved quality of animal care and control programs within their state, active sponsors of seminars and training for members, and engaged in NACA sponsored training and events.
2021 NACA – DIANE LANE MEMORIAL AWARD
Recipient – Ann Sanders
This award is for outstanding volunteer service. The nominee selected to win this award is someone who is not directly employed in the animal care and control field but serves in a volunteer capacity within the animal care and control field or other animal welfare-related activities. He or she will have demonstrated exceptional dedication or performed outstanding work far beyond the volunteer position’s requirements.
2021 NACA – BILL LEHMAN MEMORIAL AWARD
Recipient – Brandon Ciullo
This award is given to an individual not directly employed in the animal care and control field, but who has shown an exceptional awareness in animal care and control related matters, which merits distinction. The recipient will be recognized as a “friend” of animal care and control, for contributions and outstanding action that has helped further the positive image of animal care and control professionals through local, state, or national animal control associations.