In January 2026, the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) had the opportunity to spend several days on O‘ahu working alongside the Hawaiian Humane Society (Hawaiian Humane) as part of our Field Forward program — an in-depth, collaborative process...
Introduction The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) is committed to advancing humane, evidence-based practices that promote animal welfare, protect public safety, and strengthen the human–animal bond. As part of this mission, NACA offers the...
Congratulations to the 2025 NACA Award Winners!SPRING 2025FIELD AWARD WINNERS Spring Field Awards: Click Here to View Their Stories! Animal Control Officer of the Year:Ryan Jesien Animal Shelter Professional of the Year:Melissa Sheldon Leader of the Year:Saylor Knox...
Four Days, A New Format, A Stronger Impact This in-person session brought together a full class of twenty-five animal control professionals, many of whom have been working in the field for years. Their experience, combined with a willingness to engage in thoughtful...
A First-of-Its-Kind Look at Field Services Nationwide: New Data Report Released The landscape of animal control field services is rapidly evolving, yet until now, very little national-level data existed to represent the daily realities of this critical work. That...
The Heart of Animal Welfare Last week, we celebrated Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the dedicated professionals who care for animals and serve their communities every single day. From cleaning kennels before the sun rises to comforting...
CELEBRATING OUR 2025 NATIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER APPRECIATION WEEK | AWARD WINNERS Nominated by a body of their peers for outstanding excellence. NACA 2025 - Rising Star Award For new or up-and-coming team members who go above and beyond. Matheajoy Emerson “MJ brings...
Why Insurance Matters in Animal Services Animal services are built on compassion and community protection. Every Animal Control Officer (ACO), shelter worker, and volunteer shows up because they believe in giving animals and people a safe environment. But behind every...
Media Contact: Paige Strott paiges@americanhumane.org Animal Rescue Organizations Train and Collaborate on Disaster Preparedness 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina Animal Welfare Organizations Available to Discuss Significant Improvements in Animal Disaster Readiness...
NACA recently completed a groundbreaking two-day pilot program in Pasadena, California, as part of Field Forward – a program by NACA. The pilot was led by Lean Six Sigma Certified Board President Spencer Conover, Executive Director Jerrica Owen (also Lean Six Sigma...