Angela Taylor Hampton Animal Control (HART)

As Hampton Animal Response Team Manager, Officer Angela Taylor has responded in meaningful ways to serious situations of animal abuse and has demonstrated a commitment to stopping animal cruelty and promoting animal welfare. She and her team work tirelessly to bring abusers to justice. The residents of Hampton – including the animals – are safer because of that commitment.

Nina Stively -Loudoun County Animal Shelter

Nina Stively is the Director of Loudoun County Animal Services and has dedicated her career to improving animal welfare and combatting illegal animal abuse. She is an amazing partner to numerous rescue groups and animal shelters and is always willing to step up and help other organizations. She has a been a progressive leader in managing the Loudoun County public shelter and consistently goes above and beyond for both the people and animals of Loudoun County. 

Christie Chipps Peters-Richmond Animal Care and Control

Christie has spearheaded a progressive period for Richmond’s Public Animal Shelter in which she has achieved an incredible live release rate. She has done this by creating an impressive social media campaign which is fresh and innovative. RACC has also shown real leadership in helping other public shelters in Virginia, taking in animals from other localities. She has shown real leadership in bringing stability to RACC over the years she has been its Executive Director.

Ray Elliot-Lunenburg Animal Shelter

Ray serves his community as their Chief Animal Control Officer diligently, but he deserves praise for his leadership in Lunenburg’s Animal Shelter. Every Thanksgiving, Ray locks himself in a cage and raises thousands of dollars to make sure he can save every animal who comes through his shelter. He also finds partners in other counties to take the many beagles and hound dogs that come into his shelter. Ray is one of the most giving and special officers we have in Virginia and so he and his Shelter deserve the Public Animal Shelter Award.

Alison Fechino -Norfolk Animal Care and Control

Alison Fechino is a true animal love. She has served in numerous animal welfare roles, doing everything from shelter operations to program development to fundraising. She currently serves as chief executive at Norfolk Animal Care Center, and in that role prioritizes the human-animal bond.  Alison has embraced progressive, creative ideas to create sustainable, lifesaving programs, helping both people and pets in the Hampton Roads area.

Reasa Currier-Fairfax Animal Shelter

Reasa is a champion for animals. She recognizes what it means to create meaningful progress that helps both animals and the people that care for them. Reasa continues to push the boundaries of what an animal shelter can look like and do for its community as Director of the Fairfax County Department of Animal.