ACO of the Year 2020

Massachusetts Animal Control Officer of the Year – 2020

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Rescue League of Boston are pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the annual Massachusetts Animal Control Officer (ACO) of the Year award.

While this year may be a little different —we usually present the award at a dinner—we don’t want the pandemic to end decades of honoring an ACO. We will present the award virtually or socially-distanced this year.

The award was established to honor an animal control officer whose efforts in his/her local community throughout the year demonstrate:

•    a dedicated, humane attitude toward the treatment and well-being of all animals;
•    effective enforcement of pet responsibility laws;
•    a commitment to public awareness and humane education programs;
•    cooperative working relationships with other agencies, such as state and local government departments, other ACOs, and animal protection groups.

All officers in Massachusetts are required to undergo training through the Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources. In order to receive this award, an ACO must be current on the state’s mandated training requirements.

Nominations should be submitted in writing and may come from government officials, other officers, animal protection organizations, or private citizens.

Submissions should explain how the nominee has met the above criteria and should be sent to both:

Joseph King
Animal Rescue League of Boston
10 Chandler Street
Boston, MA 02116
JKing@arlboston.org

Kara Holmquist
MSPCA
350 South Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02130
kholmquist@mspca.org

The deadline for nominations is October 29, 2020.