Vincennes Animal Shelter Honored With N. Philip Shelton Award

VINCENNES, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - The Vincennes Animal Shelter has been recognized for its efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for people throughout the community.

The shelter received the N. Philip Shelton Award from KCARC during an awards ceremony Saturday night.

Shelter Director Leah said the award recognizes the shelter’s commitment to welcoming people of all backgrounds and abilities.

“We were all just shocked and happy to be recognized,” Leah said.

According to KCARC Marketing Coordinator M. Elizabeth Hardin, the shelter has become an integral part of KCARC’s Adult Day Programs, providing participants with opportunities to volunteer multiple times each week, gain work experience and get involved in the community.

Hardin said the shelter has also assisted KCARC with its “Pet Pal Drive” for the past two years.

Participants collect donated items from several KCARC locations and deliver them to the shelter, where they can learn from shelter employees and spend time with the animals.

Shelter employees have also visited KCARC’s summer kids camp at 1972 and the Civitan Children’s Center to teach children about animal safety and encourage future volunteerism, according to Hardin.

Hardin said the shelter has consistently provided KCARC with opportunities to connect people in its programs with work experience and volunteerism, adding that the shelter has “never said no to KCARC.”

For Leah, that willingness to welcome everyone is an important part of the shelter’s mission.

“Our shelter is a shelter for the community,” Leah said.

“We want people to feel welcome and feel happy and invited in."

Leah said the award is the first of its kind the shelter has received during her tenure.