Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award

Winners

3rd Annual Award Bestowed on DMS FCCLA in 2010

Daphne Middle School FCCLA Club (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) members accepting the Baldwin County Humane Society's Third Annual Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award. Pictured from left: Kay Taylor, Family and Consumer Science teacher and club sponsor; Sonja Presley, BARC! Executive Director; Tyler Au France, Rashel Rivera, Brittany LeSerre, and Jacob Stephens, club vice-president. Photo courtesy of Pam Maumenee Photographics.

The Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) recognized 11 nominees for the Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award at the 30th Annual Membership meeting on April 21, 2010, at the Eastern Shore Art Center.

This was the third year for BARC to present the award to Baldwin County residents who have shown exemplary devotion and care for animals. The award is named after Rob Walker who served as Executive Director from 1998 until his death in 2006.

Nominees possessed the qualities demonstrated by Walker, including compassion, devotion, dedication, tenderheartedness, dependability and perseverance. Who loves animals more than kids? Each of us remembers that wonderful pet we had as a child that added so much to our lives. The compassionate feelings we develop for animals as children carry over into our adult lives. Wendy Vogel, Award Chair, bestowed the award to the entire FCCLA Club (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) of the Daphne Middle School. For the third year in a row, the students held a fundraising campaign “Pennies for Puppies” to show their love of animals. Over the three-year period DMS kids raised $2,127.29 for BARC. Kay Taylor, Family and Consumer Science teacher and club sponsor, remarked “Winning this award will just bring home to our middle-schoolers that they can make a positive difference both now and in the future in our community and world.”

2nd Annual Award Bestowed on Nevin Yankie in 2009. She is a board member.

1st Annual Award Bestowed on Glenda Turner in 2008. She is our Kitten Kaboodles Program Coordinator.

Nominations for 4th Annual Animal Compassion Award 2013

Nominations for the Sixth annual Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award may now be made for individuals who have shown exemplary devotion and care for animals in Baldwin County.

Rob Walker served as executive director of the Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) from 1998 until his death in December 2006. Walker was a compassionate advocate for animals and never turned away an animal in need. He was totally devoted to the well-being of all animals in Baldwin County and implemented many innovative programs such as Kitten Kaboodles aimed at reducing the number of abandoned and abused animals.

Under his leadership, BARC! was restructured as a rescue agency for homeless dogs and cats. His efforts resulted in thousands of pets finding new homes. He also help develop low cost spay and neuter programs for low income families.

Click here for 2013 nomination form

The nomination includes a brief explanation of the individual’s qualities and any specific example of services rendered in the area of animal care or animal rescue and if affiliated with any animal welfare group. Nominees should possess those qualities demonstrated by Rob Walker, including compassion, devotion, dedication, tenderheartedness, dependability and perseverance.

Nominations are due by April 10, 2013 by midnight. BARC! board members and staff are ineligible.

Presentation of the award will be at BARC!’s 33st Annual Membership meeting on April 17, 2013, at the Eastern Shore Art Center.

The Baldwin County Humane Society incorporated in 1979 as a not-for-profit and was the first county-wide animal welfare organization. For more information contact Karen Ignatz, BARC! Executive Director, at 251.928.4585 or email BARC_ExecDir@BaldwinHumane.org