Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts

10/27/2026

On Friday, October 23rd, we held our Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, bringing together animal control professionals, colleagues, and community partners from across the state.

This annual event provides an opportunity to recognize the individuals and organizations whose dedication, leadership, and contributions make a meaningful difference in animal welfare, public safety, and the communities we serve.

We are also proud to celebrate our 2026 Animal Control Officers Academy graduates! Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to professional development represent an important investment in the future of animal control throughout Massachusetts. Congratulations to this year's graduating class on their achievement!

We are proud to recognize and congratulate our 2026 award recipients!

Academy Valedictorian: Jody Gay

Shining Star Awards:
Millis Fire Department
Framingham Fire Department
Officer William Crossen – Scituate Police Department

Certificate of Appreciation: Amy Reilly

Golden Bone Award: Matthew Deciero

I.M.P.A.C.T. Award: Deborah Almeida (DA)

Organization of the Year: Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton, Inc.

Dick Stein Award: Sheri Gustafson

Outstanding Service Award: Kyle Dragon

Service Recognition Awards:
Katelyn Jewell
Aimee Contois
Joanna Golden

Animal Control Officer of the Year: Jamie Jeffrey of Burlington Police Ma Animal Control

To all of our honorees, congratulations and thank you for your commitment to the profession, your communities, and the animals who depend on us.

We also extend our appreciation to everyone who attended and helped make this year's Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet memorable.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 award recipients! 🎖

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Lynda on her well-deserved retirement! 🎉

Thank you for your 20+ dedicated years of service and for all you’ve done for the residents and animals of Brewster. Your commitment and contributions are truly appreciated. Wishing you all the best, much happiness, and success in your next chapter!

ACO Lynda Brogden-Burns retired today after over 20 years of dedication to the animals
of Brewster. Please join BPD in wishing Lynda a happy retirement!

10/03/2026

📸 There’s still time to send in your photos for our Annual Meeting & Banquet slideshow!

We want to celebrate YOU and all the great work you do!

Send us your favorite photos from the past year. Maybe an action shot, a unique animal or memorable call you responded to, a fun event you organized, or anything else that showcases the work and moments that make our ACO community special.

Let’s celebrate the people, the work, and the memories!

Please email your photos to: [email protected] by October 9th.

We can’t wait to see them!

Calling All ACOs! 📷

As we gear up for our Annual Meeting & Banquet, we want to celebrate the work you do every day!

We’re asking everyone to send in your favorite on-the-job photos. Whether it’s a memorable call, a day in the field, a successful rescue, or just a great moment with your fellow officers.

Photos will be featured in a slideshow during dinner and before the awards ceremony, giving us a chance to showcase the people and moments that make our profession so special.

📧 Please email your photos to: [email protected]

⏰ Please send your photos by October 9th!

We can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to! Send those photos in and help us make this year’s banquet one to remember!

09/29/2026

MVMA CHARITIES SCAREDY CAT K95K
October 25, 2026

ACOAM is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s MVMA Charities Scaredy Cat K95K, which supports the work of MVMA Charities, including the Stray Animal Fund.

As a sponsor, ACOAM has five complimentary race bibs available to members who would like to participate as part of Team ACOAM! If you are interested in claiming one of the five spots, please email [email protected] by October 12th.

Join us in-person or virtually for this year’s Metrowest K9 5K 🐶 Annual Dog Walk/ Race in MA 🐶🐈🐇🦎🐍🦜🐢🐹

www.tinyurl.com/scaredycatk95k

Bring your dog to Tufts | Cummings School on October 25 for the festivities or join virtually with any pet during the month of October!
Costumes are encouraged and all participants receive a t-shirt. Send us a picture or video of you and your pet and get a special shout-out on our socials!

09/25/2026

Calling All ACOs! 📷

As we gear up for our Annual Meeting & Banquet, we want to celebrate the work you do every day!

We’re asking everyone to send in your favorite on-the-job photos. Whether it’s a memorable call, a day in the field, a successful rescue, or just a great moment with your fellow officers.

Photos will be featured in a slideshow during dinner and before the awards ceremony, giving us a chance to showcase the people and moments that make our profession so special.

📧 Please email your photos to: [email protected]

⏰ Please send your photos by October 9th!

We can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to! Send those photos in and help us make this year’s banquet one to remember!

09/23/2026

It's time to celebrate! 🎉

We are gearing up for ACOAM's Annual Meeting & Banquet - a night to celebrate your achievements, network, and unwind with fellow animal welfare professionals!

🗓 Friday, October 23rd, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 J. Anthony's Italian Grill, 917 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501
🎟 $50 each for ACOAM members OR $60 each for non-members.

Be sure to bring cash with you - we will have exciting raffle prizes and a cash bar!

Have some photos you would like to share on our slideshow, highlight your amazing moments from this year? Send them our way! ✉️ [email protected]

Mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP below!

https://forms.gle/u3pjVJySaLzpX8LE7

And follow along on our Facebook event for updates!

https://www.facebook.com/share/19NuofHF5k/

09/18/2026

📣 2026 ACOAM BOARD ELECTION – NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN!

ACOAM is accepting nominations for our annual Board of Directors election now through October 14th!

Interested in becoming more involved, supporting Animal Control Officers across Massachusetts, and helping shape the future of ACOAM? Nominees must be active ACOAM members to be eligible. Email [email protected] to learn more or submit your interest.

This year's election also marks the conclusion of Board service for three longtime members: Aimee Contois, Joanna Golden, and Katelyn Jewell. Together, they have dedicated many years to ACOAM and have helped guide the organization through years of growth and change.

We are incredibly grateful for their leadership, commitment, and lasting contributions to ACOAM and the animal control profession. ❤️

As one chapter closes, we look forward to welcoming new members ready to get involved and help lead ACOAM into the future!

Nominations close October 14th.�
📧 [email protected]

09/17/2026

UPDATE 10/07/26: This training is currently filled. If you are interested in being placed on the waitlist, please contact the email listed on the registration page directly! Thank you!

MASSACHUSETTS C.A.R.E.S. – TWO-DAY TRAINING

October 20–21, 2026 | Animal Rescue League of Boston – Dedham

ACOAM is excited to partner with the ASPCA to present Massachusetts C.A.R.E.S. – Comprehensive Animal Cruelty Response, a two-day, hands-on training workshop.

This training is FREE and has been approved for 16 continuing education credits through MDAR. Space is limited, so we encourage members who would like to attend to register as soon as possible.

Register here: www.aspcapro.org/massachusettscares

Please see the attached flyer for additional information.

09/15/2026

Today is your last day to submit your nominations to recognize some of the spectacular folks in the fields of animal control and animal welfare! 🌟

ACOAM award nominations are now open!

ACOAM has been proud to recognize hard working individuals and organizations within the field of animal control and animal welfare at our Annual Meeting & Banquet.

We are offering online nomination forms for a number of awards, including:

I.M.P.A.C.T. Award
Paul Murphy Golden Bone Award
Richard "Dick" Stein Award
Shining Star
Certificates of Appreciation
Organization of the Year.. and more!

A description for each award, including nomination qualifications, and our nomination forms can be found on our website:

https://www.acoam.org/awards/

Be sure to join us in celebrating this year's award recipients at our Annual Meeting & Banquet on Friday, October 23rd, 2026!

We look forward to hearing your stories of all of the individuals deserving of recognition!

09/08/2026

ACO of the year nominations are open! Please see the original post for more information

Do you know an animal control officer who has gone above and beyond to help people and animals? It's time for nominations for the Animal Control Officer of the Year!

The award was established to honor an animal control officer whose efforts in their local community throughout the year demonstrate:
-a dedicated, humane attitude toward the treatment and well-being of all animals;
-effective enforcement of pet responsibility laws;
-a commitment to public awareness and humane education programs;
-cooperative working relationships with other agencies, such as state and local government departments, other ACOs, and animal protection groups.

See link for details on submitting your nomination. Deadline is September 30. https://www.mspca.org/take-action/aco-of-the-year/

Pictured is last year's recipient, City of Boston Animal Control Officer Michael Stern.

Massachusetts Animal Fund Massachusetts Municipal Association Wildlife Rehabilitators' Association of Massachusetts - WRAM Massachusetts Environmental Police Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts