Pasadena Pilot: Field Forward – NACA’s New Approach to Real-Time Process Improvement

by | Aug 25, 2025 | Announcements, Blog

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 certified), and Mike Wheeler, who completed the full two-day field services assessment. This innovative model combined a comprehensive department assessment with an immersive process improvement workshop, and the results have us energized for what’s ahead.

What made this pilot truly progressive was the shift from traditional policy review to hands-on, officer-led problem solving. Over two days, Pasadena’s animal control officers took the lead: examining their own processes, identifying strengths and challenges, and collaborating across roles to develop real solutions.

This wasn’t top-down training. Instead, it was a space for the team to think critically, share openly, and build a roadmap forward together. From streamlining response protocols to improving internal communication, the workshop sparked meaningful conversations and collective action.

Paired with the department assessment, which included officer ride-alongs for a true on-the-ground perspective, we gained deep, real-world insight into the team’s daily challenges and opportunities. Spending two days side-by-side with officers reinforced NACA’s evolving culture: working directly with professionals in the field to create sustainable, effective change from the ground up.

The workshop itself was shaped in real time by insights gathered during the assessment. Together, we explored what’s working, what’s not, and what practical steps the team can take moving forward. The level of buy-in, the depth of discussion, and the energy in the room made one thing clear: meaningful change isn’t just possible—it’s already happening.

And this is only the beginning. We’re excited to refine this Field Forward model and expand it to more agencies and officers across the country. Stay tuned!

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Nationwide Collaboration Establishes Safety Standards for Animal Control Officers

by | Jun 1, 2025 | Press

Nationwide Collaboration Establishes Safety Standards for Animal Control Officers

This morning, June 1, 2025, the National Animal Care and Control Association, together with 20 State Associations, is proud to release a unified Position Statement calling for clear, minimum safety standards that every ACO deserves.

Position Statement: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
This milestone reflects a powerful moment of alignment in our field. Together, we are standing behind an essential truth: Every officer should have access to the safety equipment, tools, and PPE needed to perform their duties safely, humanely, and effectively.

The position statement outlines:

  • The minimum safety tools and PPE every officer should be equipped with
  • Gold standards that represent best practices across the profession
  • A shared commitment to officer safety, public trust, and animal welfare

This is more than a document, it’s a symbol of unity and a clear standard for what safety should look like in the field, the courtroom, and our communities.

We’re grateful to every State Association that contributed and look forward to continuing the work to ensure Animal Control Officers have the tools, training, and protection they need.

Alabama Animal Control Association 

Alaska Animal Control Association

Animal Care & Control Association of Tennessee

Animal Welfare Association of Colorado

Arizona Animal Control Association

Arkansas Animal Control Association

California Animal Welfare Association

Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association

Kansas Animal Control Association

Kentucky Animal Control Association

Louisiana Animal Control Association

Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers

Missouri Animal Control Association

North Carolina Animal and Rabies Control Association

North Carolina Animals Federation

Ohio County Dog Wardens Association

Southeastern Animal Control Association

Texas Animal Control Association

Virginia Animal Control Association

Washington Federation for Animal Care and Control Agencies

Supporters and community members are encouraged to follow and share the message on social media using #ProtectTheProtectors and #StrengthInCollaboration.

About National Animal Care and Control Association

The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) was formed in 1978 to provide resources, standardized training, and support for animal care and control professionals across the United States. Throughout the organization’s history, NACA has been a leader in providing guidance for its members as the role of animal shelters and animal care and control staff has evolved.

NACA recognizes that today’s animal field services officers provide a wide array of services to their communities, including saving pets in danger, protecting human health and safety, enforcing laws and ordinances, providing support and education to community members, disaster response, helping lost pets get home, and helping wildlife, livestock, and exotic animals, in addition to cats, dogs, and other pets. NACA offers guidance and training on many of the most crucial responsibility areas of officers, and we are a leading voice in support of the community policing approach to animal control, in order to prevent the root causes that lead to cruelty, neglect, and public safety issues.

NACA understands the unique role that animal care and control professionals play in each community and is dedicated to ensuring its members have the resources, tools, and training necessary to perform this role safely and effectively.

For the First Time: A Unified Safety Standard for Animal Control Officers

by | Jun 1, 2025 | Announcements, Blog, Field Services, Position Statements

A Unified Safety Standard for Animal Control Officers

Endorsed by:

For the first time in our industry’s history, the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), in collaboration with 14 state associations, has released a jointly developed position statement focused on the safety and protection of Animal Control Officers.

This landmark document outlines minimum safety standards and gold-standard best practices for equipment, tools, and PPE, covering everything from bite-resistant gloves and control poles to uniform options and officer training requirements. But more importantly, this statement represents something even bigger: unity. As relationships between NACA and state associations have strengthened, so has our shared commitment to advancing the professionalism and well-being of officers across the country. This statement is a direct result of that collaboration, and it stands as a guiding resource for agencies committed to safety, humane handling, and officer support. This is more than a position statement, it’s a symbol of solidarity. Together, we are setting the standard for what officer safety should look like in the field, in the courtroom, and in our communities. We’re grateful to every association that contributed, and we look forward to working in lockstep to ensure Animal Control Officers have the tools, training, and protection they deserve.

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Coming Together, Moving Forward: Highlights from the 2025 NACA State Association Summit

Coming Together, Moving Forward: Highlights from the 2025 NACA State Association Summit

by | Apr 24, 2025 | Announcements, Blog, Events, News

Coming Together, Moving Forward: Highlights from the 2025 NACA State Association Summit

The 2025 NACA State Association Summit brought together over 120 passionate professionals from 39 states for 1.5 days of powerful conversations, collaborative problem-solving, and inspiration to push our profession forward. Held during National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, the Summit was a vibrant reflection of what happens when leadership, connection, and shared purpose come together.

Opening with Impact
The Summit kicked off with a dynamic keynote on leadership and teamwork—setting the tone for the entire event. The message was clear: the future of animal care and control depends on how we lead, how we collaborate, and how we show up for one another.

Workshops and Panels That Delivered
The Summit offered a variety of content-rich sessions that sparked meaningful conversations and practical takeaways. One highlight was the launch of a new disaster response initiative designed to equip agencies with the tools and strategies needed for effective planning, response, and recovery in a rapidly changing world. This session introduced attendees to a national framework for coordination and support, laying the groundwork for stronger disaster preparedness across jurisdictions.

A panel on Return-to-Owner strategies showcased innovative field-based approaches and tools that are helping agencies reunite more pets with their families—often without ever bringing them into the shelter. The session emphasized creative, community-focused solutions that improve outcomes while strengthening public trust.

Another standout was the legislation panel and follow-up presentations, which walked attendees through how to navigate existing laws, influence new ones, and use advocacy to drive policy changes that support humane, effective animal care and control. The discussions were engaging, empowering, and packed with actionable insights.

A Keynote That Moved the Room
Day two closed with a keynote that will be remembered for years to come. Through powerful storytelling and heartfelt lessons on leadership, the speaker left the room tears reminded us that the work we do matters and so does how we do it. It was the kind of message that didn’t just land—it lingered, inspiring attendees to go back to their communities committed to being better and doing better.

Connection, Inclusion, and Amplifying State Voices
At the heart of the Summit was a deep commitment to inclusivity and collaboration with the state associations leading the way across the country. These organizations are closest to the officers, field staff, and local leaders doing the work every day, and they play a critical role in driving change within their communities. At the national level, NACA’s role is to provide the platform and support needed to strengthen those efforts, offer connection points between states, and amplify the voices of those who are too often unheard.

This Summit was a space for state representatives to share successes, confront challenges, and build stronger relationships with one another. It was a reminder that we are stronger together—and that unifying across state lines strengthens us all.

Looking Ahead
The 2025 Summit was more than an event—it was a movement. One that reminded us that when we come together with intention and purpose, we can create lasting changes in our communities, our profession, and ourselves.

Thank you to all who attended, spoke, and supported this year’s State Association Summit.
We can’t wait to see what we’ll build together next.