Behind the Badge: Anna Barrett
(NACA’s October Spotlight Winner)

We see the hard work and dedication every day from the wonderful people in animal welfare. When Anna Barrett was selected as NACA’s October Spotlight, her enthusiastic and thoughtful reflections on the field were so inspiring that we knew we had to share her journey with the broader community. Anna’s deep appreciation for the changes in animal welfare and her passion for building relationships in the field highlight the essence of what makes an Animal Control Officer truly impactful.Her reflections serve as a powerful testament to the dedication and progress within our profession.

Anna’s Story

“When I think back over my years in animal control, it’s nearly impossible to choose just one memory or experience that has shaped my journey. I started this work back in 1997 when I was just 22 years old, and looking back, I realize just how much has changed since then. The field of animal welfare, care, and control is almost unrecognizable from what it was when I first joined the profession. And after all these years, if there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that animal control is often much more about navigating relationships with people than it is about “controlling” animals.

Back in the 90s, the concept of fostering animals was still a dream for most open-access county shelters. There were very few structured programs to care for unweaned kittens, medically compromised pets, or elderly animals. Community Cat TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) was nearly unheard of outside of private cat rescues and small groups of dedicated citizens. The hard reality was that we euthanized a lot of animals. There’s a stereotype that folks who work in animal control are detached or hardened, but I believe most of us do this work because we genuinely love animals. Asking young professionals, bright-eyed and full of hope, to euthanize healthy animals day after day for reasons like age, time, or space felt like a cruel initiation into the field. I wondered how anyone could keep going in this line of work when faced with such a heartbreaking reality, much less build a career that would last more than 25 years. So, why did I stay? Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been a bit of an optimist. Or maybe I was just fortunate to enter the field at a time when the tide was beginning to turn. As a profession, we were finally starting to engage in tough conversations that would eventually drive real change. The infrastructure wasn’t there yet, but I knew I wanted to be part of those conversations and the hard work that followed.

Fast forward to today, and I’m grateful to have been a part of a movement that resulted in thriving foster programs, Kitten Colleges, community cat initiatives, low-cost vet services, and community resource programs – all things that are now routine in our work. These programs help keep people and pets together, reduce euthanasia, and increase positive outcomes for animals in need. This is exactly what I got into this field to do, and seeing these changes come to fruition has been the most rewarding part of my career. One thing I’ve found essential to this work is building relationships within the community. It’s not just about the animals, it’s about understanding people and meeting them where they are. I appreciate that there’s always something new to learn and am excited to see what the future holds as we continue to grow and adapt. I’ve also always felt incredibly lucky to live and work in a community that values wildlife, even in the midst of rapid urban development. My passion for urban wildlife conflict resolution and wildlife rehabilitation has only grown stronger over the years. I’m grateful that my interest in these areas has not only been supported but encouraged, and it’s been my pleasure to witness that enthusiasm catch on in others, too.

Looking back to 25 years ago, we did the best we could with the limited information and resources we had. Today, we have so much more knowledge at our fingertips, and I’ve had the joy of helping create new opportunities for learning and caring. One of my proudest achievements has been my involvement in establishing the Wildlife Resource Center at The Animal Welfare League of Arlington, VA. The Wildlife Resource Center allows us to offer unique, specialized care for our urban wildlife I could only dream of when I first started in this field. Finally, as I reflect upon my journey, it’s clear to me that my legacy isn’t just in the programs or projects I’ve worked on – it’s in the relationships I’ve built, the lives I’ve touched, and the future I’ve helped shape for both animals and people. And for all of that, I am grateful.”

Here at NACA, we couldn’t be prouder to have such an amazing officer in the field like Officer Anna Barrett. Her commitment to both animals and her community, and her ability to foster positive change, embody the true spirit of animal control work. Anna’s legacy serves as a reminder of the compassion, resilience, and growth that define our profession, and we are so grateful to witness the difference she continues to make. Thank you, Anna, for all that you do.