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Awards Nominations

At the TACA Annual Conference, awards are presented to outstanding organizations and individuals. TACA encourages your nominations for various awards. In addition to specifically set guidelines, nominations must include the following:

Name, address, and phone number of the nominee

Nominee’s resume or background information

Nomination category justification or reason for nomination

Name, address, and phone number of the person, and the organization or agency who may accept the award in the nominee’s absence

We also request information on the person submitting the nomination. 

There is a PDF copy of the award ballot available for your use.  Please send a letter with this ballot explaining why the nominated individual or entity should be selected for the award.

A brief overview of the criteria to be met for each award is as follows:

v      Warren J. Kilpatrick Award

The Warren J. Kilpatrick Award is presented every year to someone who has demonstrated outstanding work in the animal care and control profession.

1. Should be a three-year consecutive member of TACA

2. Should be affiliated directly with animal control

3. Should have worked in the field of animal control for five years.

4. Contributions should impact the animal control profession statewide.

5. Awarded one time over an individuals career in animal care and control.

v      Coy D. Willis Award

The Coy D. Willis Award is presented every year to someone who has, through his or her actions, performed duties above and beyond in the administration and management of an animal care and control agency.

1. The individual will have demonstrated the ability to operate a progressive agency through animal replacement, ordinances, spay-neuter programs, enforcement, and education.

2. The nominee should have an active membership status of three years.

3. Recipients of this award can be re-nominated for further contributions after a five year period has lapsed.

v      Media Award

This award is presented yearly to an individual or organization that has presented animal control and animal welfare in an accurate and positive manner. This award is given to a radio or television station, newspaper or magazine or to someone who works in that field for either a single outstanding piece or for on-going programs that promote responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter programs, and other programs that depict animal care and control professionals in a positive light and promote the profession, while reflecting the professional credibility of animal control activities. Recipients of this award can be re-nominated for further contributions after a five year period has lapsed.

v      Humane Educator Award

The Humane Educator Award is given every year to recognize outstanding agencies and people in the anima care and control profession who promote humane education to the children and adults in their own community or in the state. Recipients of this award can be re-nominated for further contributions after a five year period has lapsed.

v      James Vyers Field Officer Award

This award is given yearly to an outstanding animal control officer who has, through his or her actions, performed duties above and beyond what is normally required or has consistently performed at a professional level, representing his or her agency in a professional manner at all times. Recipients of this award can be re-nominated for further contributions after a five year period has lapsed.

v      Volunteer of the Year Award

TACA offers an Outstanding Volunteer Award which is given for outstanding volunteer services.

1. The nominee shall be someone who is not directly employed in animal control, a volunteer in animal welfare services.

2. The nominee shall have demonstrated exceptional dedication or performed outstanding work beyond the requirements of hiss/her volunteer position.

3. To nominate one for this award, you must work with, or have direct first hand knowledge of the nominee. Support or services provided by the nominee shall have directly benefited your agency or organization.

v      Brenda May Scholarship Award

This $250.00 scholarship is awarded to a member or member’s child, who meet the requirements.

1. A written essay concerning how the scholarship will be used, the school they are planning to attend, and the reason they feel that they should receive the scholarship.

2. SAT and/or ACT scores and high school grade point average will be required. If the student received any honors while attending school, these should also be included.

3. The member should hold an active membership status for at least twenty-four months prior to the recommendation.

4. The scholarship can only be awarded for use on the entrance level in an accredited school of higher learning.

v      Virginia Eureste Training Grant Program

Training grants are provided by the Association to fund the attendance of an employee of an animal control or animal welfare organization (humane society, other) at the annual conference. TACA will pay hotel room (3 nights) registration fee at the annual conference and allow $65.00 for meals.

1. Any employee of an animal control or animal welfare organization who is an active member in the Association is eligible to submit an application for grant funding.

2. The person must have been employed in any capacity by an animal control or welfare organization for a minimum of six months.

3. Recipients of this award can be re-nominated after a three year period has lapsed.

v      W.R. Bilderback, D.V.M. Award

In 1991, TACA developed the W.R. Bilderback Award. This award goes to a veterinarian who has rendered outstanding service and is a staunch advocate of the animal control profession. Recipients of this award can be re-nominated for further contributions after a five year period has lapsed.

v      Hank Brock Equipment Grant

This $250.00 grant is given yearly for equipment that is used in the animal welfare profession to an agency in a city or county with a population of less that 25,000. Recipients receive this award one time over an individuals’ career in animal care and control.

v      Texas Animal Control &Welfare Agencies Award

___Agencies in cities or counties with a population over 100,000

___Agencies in cities or counties with a population over 50,000, but less that 100,000

___Agencies in cities or counties with a population over 25,000, but less than 50,000

___Agencies of cities or counties with a population less than 25,000

1. Sixty percent (60%) on animal control or animal welfare personnel shall be active members of TACA

2. Agency has an effective employee development program.

3. Agency should be involved in public awareness.

4. Agency, where applicable, must submit letter of recommendation from a regional veterinarian to attest to the facilities’ compliance with the Shelter Act.

5. Agency has made improvements. This may include improvement to facilities, handling of animal enforcement and efficiency of personnel.