The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week starting on April 15 – April 22.

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is an annual celebration observed around the world to promote and show appreciation for volunteerism. DACC believes without a doubt, we have some of the best, committed, caring, hardworking volunteers in the industry.

We are happy to announce our adult volunteer of the year from Lancaster Animal Care Center is Stephen Chopp, and our youth volunteer of the year from Agoura Animal Care Center is Julia Winser.

Julia Winser has been a dog volunteer since February 2016 and has balanced both a full time student schedule and consistently volunteering; providing 203 hours of service. Julia is a reliable volunteer, never refusing any task assigned to her. She is reliable, always having a smile, respectful, highly organized, she takes initiative, and assists in training new volunteers. With the level of commitment and professionalism Julia has demonstrated as a youth volunteer, she will continue to be successful in life and in all her future endeavors. We are proud to have her as a member of the Agoura volunteer team.

Stephen Chopp’s unceasing commitment proves he is a cornerstone of the Lancaster ACC Volunteer Program. Stephen strives to make a positive impact with his volunteer service, taking countless photographs and helping promote and place our animals in forever homes. He enhances our facility though his creation of the Animal Enrichment Team and by continual attendance of shelter animal behavior courses. A dedicated family man, husband, full-time worker, he still finds the time (more than 2,000 hours over 7 years!) to commit his heart to our animals. Steven – your creativity, persistence, and devotion are beyond measure. Thank you.

Marcia Mayeda, Director of DACC, stated, “Volunteers are the key, vital factor that allow us to expand beyond our existing capabilities. These selfless individuals donate their time, hard work, and goodwill to help us continue to help the animals and people who depend on us. We are deeply indebted to them for all they do to help us meet our mission!”

Please join us in expressing our gratitude. The next time you visit one of our animal care centers, thank a volunteer for their hard work and dedication. We could not do our life-saving work without our volunteers.

Remember, you can help us reach our goal of placing animals into new, forever homes by adopting today. Your kindness will be repaid countless times by the love and affection of your new family member. If you cannot adopt a pet now, you can always make life better for a loving animal by volunteering at one of our animal care centers.