NACA Board Meeting
Thursday, September 09, 2021 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM PDT
Membership is invited to join the monthly NACA Board Meeting
Every 2nd Thursday public meeting
Welcome New Director of Partnerships & Programs – Jerrica Owen
Director of Partnerships & Programs, Jerrica Owen
NACA is proud to introduce the newest member of our team; Director of Partnerships and Programs, Jerrica Owen. Check out a little bit about our newest team member below:Accomplished animal welfare professional Jerrica Owen joined NACA on April 12th, 2021, as the Director of Partnerships and Programs. She brings with her nearly 20 years of experience in emergent animal welfare, engaging and developing a diversity of staff, shelter operations, and leading successful initiatives in Animal Welfare in a cross-cultural environment. Previously the Director of Strategic Initiatives for San Diego Humane Society, Jerrica supported achieving success on the organization’s primary strategies. In addition, she was the Senior Animal Response Team Leader for the San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team and has extensive experience in the field during some of our countries worst disasters supporting tactical and shelter operations for all types of animals including domestic, wildlife, and equine.
Jerrica has spent the past 2 decades dedicated to achieving lifesaving excellence and encompasses dynamic organizational leadership, charismatic characteristics, and an energetic passion that will complement the already remarkable work of the NACA. She will support driving the continued success of NACA as the national leader in professionalism and standard-setting of the animal control and service profession. She is committed to inclusive engagement and resource accessibility for the industry.
Jerrica earned her Bachelors of Science Degree from California State University-Chico and holds certifications in Animal Welfare Administration (CAWA), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Organizational Leadership, and Modern Humane Resource Management. She lives in California and is a proud wife and mother to both human, fur, and shelled (Tortoise!) babies.
We are so thrilled to have Jerrica join the team, dedicated to helping advance animal control officers and the great work they are doing all across the country!
Petco Foundation
The National Animal Care & Control Association wants to recognize the support we have received from Petco Love. Petco Love has made a commitment to NACA for the next three years totaling $225,000 in funding support. The Petco Foundation has been a longtime supporter of NACA and the professionals working the frontlines of their communities every day.
NACA First Responders Position Statement
Animal Control Officers Should Be Considered First Responders
The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) believes all animal field services professionals (animal control, animal protection, etc.), should be considered and treated as first responders. The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Systems define first responders as “individuals who in the early stages of an incident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment”. Animal control officers and other animal field services professionals meet this definition.
The very core of the work of an animal control officer is deeply rooted in community engagement, public safety and the welfare of non-human animals. Historically, animal control officers were on the frontline of protecting communities and addressing public health concerns such as preventing the spread of the rabies virus. Their early role has now been dramatically expanded to include providing community support and outreach, investigating animal cruelty and neglect, and saving animals who are in immediate danger. Additionally, they work alongside other first responders such as law enforcement, EMTs, and firefighters on a regular basis during weather emergencies, natural disasters, and other catastrophic events.
Communities and local municipal agencies should view and support their animal control officers at the same level as other first responders. Additionally, communities and local government agencies should provide on-going training, equipment, and resources necessary to support the work of their animal control officers working at the frontline of their community.
Homeland Security Act of 2002. (2019, May 28). Retrieved December 06, 2020, from https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-act-200
Congratulations to the new Executive Committee for the 2020/2021 year
2020 NACA Board of Director’s Election Notice
NACA members will vote to fill four (4) regular Board of Directors, three (3) year term positions during the 2020 election.
The online polls will open at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on September 25, 2020, and will close promptly at 12 noon Eastern Time on October 7, 2020. You must be a current Individual member in good standing to vote.
Voting information will be emailed to each member, beginning at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on September 25, 2020.
The voting system will use the member’s current email address in their profile. Members are responsible for providing a working email address to vote. Each member should sign in to their NACA member profile and verify their email address is current.
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For any questions, please email admin@nacanet.org