Norman Animal Welfare Volunteer of the Year Award will honor and recognize dedicated member of the community

Nomination Period EXTENDED! Nominations to be accepted through 5 p.m., Monday, April 7, 2025

The Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee is now accepting nominations for the Norman Animal Welfare Volunteer of the Year Award, having moved the annual process and celebration to a spring timeframe in a new tradition.

Created to honor Erica Loftis, who dedicated her life to saving animals, this award celebrates those individuals who have made substantial contributions to animal welfare through their volunteerism, while also building a greater awareness of volunteerism and animal welfare within the Norman community.

Becca Bean, co-chair of the Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee said the award committee moved the nomination process to the beginning of the year to better reflect the work of the nominees from the year before.

“We hope to build a consistent awareness with locals about the important work that volunteers do for Norman Animal Welfare and the greater community here,” Bean said.

Kellee Robertson, Animal Welfare Center manager, said they rely on the help of volunteers to care for the more than 3,000 animals they take in every year. She said volunteers perform tasks like walking dogs, socializing cats, assisting at adoption events and in the vet clinic, bathing and grooming animals and so much more.

To submit a nomination, prepare a one-page letter of recommendation or utilize the fillable form to highlight the nominee's volunteer contributions toward animal welfare and their connections to the Norman Animal Welfare Center. A presentation of the award winner is expected to be given in May or June 2025 at a City Council meeting.

For the nomination, please include your name and phone number, as well as the name and phone number for the nominee. Send the completed nominations to: Norman Animal Welfare Oversight Committee, c/o Jeanne Snider, P.O. Box 370, Norman, OK 73070, or email to Jeanne.Snider@NormanOK.gov. The committee will accept nominations through 5 p.m., Monday, 4/7/25.

The award recipient selected by the committee will be honored at an upcoming Norman City Council meeting. Questions regarding the Norman Animal Welfare Volunteerism Award can be directed to Jeanne Snider at 405-217-7700 or Jeanne.Snider@NormanOK.gov.

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