2021 NACA - BILL LEHMAN MEMORIAL AWARD

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.

RECIPIENT – Brandon Ciullo

Brandon Ciullo is the co-founder and President of Summit Lost Pet Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps families search for and recover their lost dogs and cats. Summit Lost Pet Rescue is one of only a handful of nonprofits in the USA that focus strictly on lost pet recovery work as a mitigation tool to reduce shelter intakes by recovering lost pets prior to them landing in a shelter. In 2020 Brandon never gave up home of helping an owner find her lost cat Nala, after an unfortunate car accident. After 68 days of dedication and devotion by Brandon Ciullo, the cat was reunited with the owner. If Brandon Ciullo had not offered his expert knowledge, equipment, and assistance, Nala would surely have perished in those woods. Most families stop searching for their missing cats within days, sometimes weeks, of their disappearance. More volunteers like Brandon Ciullo and nonprofits like Summit Lost Pet Rescue are needed to take on difficult cases like Nala’s, especially when pet guardians do not have the tools necessary to affect a recovery of this magnitude.

On June 5, 2020, Mrs. Alvarado was driving through the Colorado Rockies when she was involved in a terrible car crash on the Interstate. Her cat Nala, who was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, was ejected and bolted into the woods. A few days later, Brandon Ciullo heard about the case and offered to assist Alvarado. Brandon is certified through the Missing Animal Response Network and during his training, had heard about other cats involved in car accidents that hid in silence near the escape point. It often takes weeks, even months, to capture a displaced cat. Brandon made this case a “mission of hope and perseverance” and just decided he would not stop searching until he found Nala.

Brandon set up feeding stations in the woods near the crash site that had cat food, water, and a motion-activated game camera that texted photographs of movement at the humane trap to Brandon’s cell phone. Nala showed up on one of the cameras on June 10th, 5 days after the crash. However, food at the station attracted predators (bear and foxes) and Nala went into hiding. Many weeks passed without sightings, but Brandon continued to check the camera and tried a few different baiting techniques. Ultimately, after all food was removed and many weeks had passed Nala appeared on camera again. This time Brandon and his team jumped into action and baited a humane trap and on August 10, 2020, Nala was captured in a humane trap, 68 days after she first went missing. Nala was reunited with Alvarado the next day.

The crash site was in a remote area of the Rockies. Checking the camera and bait required multiple trips and many volunteer hours over the two months. If Brandon Ciullo had not offered his expert knowledge, equipment, and assistance, Nala would surely have perished in those woods. Most families stop searching for their missing cats within days, sometimes weeks, of their disappearance. More volunteers like Brandon Ciullo and nonprofits like Summit Lost Pet Rescue are needed to take on difficult cases like Nala’s, especially when pet guardians do not have the tools necessary to affect a recovery of this magnitude. Congratulations Brandon Ciullo, NACA is proud to recognize you and your amazing dedication and hard work to the animals and people in your community.