SPCA awards volunteers

BATH - The Finger Lakes SPCA recently. held its 11th annual Volunteer Dinner Banquet at the Bath Country Club. The evening featured the recognition of 54 individual volunteers and five groups for their outstanding volunteer service to the Finger Lakes SPCA.

"We would like our volunteers to know that we feel we can never thank you enough for all you do and give, and we are sure the Finger Lakes SPCA boasts some of the most dedicated volunteers to be found anywhere," said Vicki Mosgrove, executive director of the organization.

+ The Humanitarian & Animal Protection Excellence Award was bestowed upon Sheriff Richard Tweddell for exceptional efforts to protect animals

and people within Steuben County. Sheriff Tweddell was also recognized for his support of the Fingerlakes SPCA's Animal Cruelty Investigation Program.

+ Animal Cruelty Investigator Scott Mazzo also was awarded the Humanitarian & Animal Protection Excellencne Award as well for going above and beyond the call of duty for the past seven years as the lone, full-time cruelty investigator for the county.

+ The HUGH Award was presented to Bonnie Covell. The award recognizes volunteers making the biggest time commitment to the direct care of the orphan animals.

+ Tammy Tompkins was also honored with the HUGH Award for her contribution

of hundreds of hours to assuring that all the homeless cats at the SPCA know they are special and not forgotten!

+ Tonia Illig received the Outstanding Volunteer Fund-raising Effort Award in honor of his outstanding volunteer efforts to help the Shelter with fund-raising. Illig volunteered for over a year as the shelter's fundraising chair.

+ Dave Peterson was recognized with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Project Award for devoting many hours to fixing run gates as well as a helping with a myriad of other important repairs on short notice and with a very limited budget.

+ Jean Peterson received the Key Volunteer Award for her volunteer leadership role on countless SPCA fund-raising and promotional

projects.

+ Jo-Ann Kester was presented with the Volunteer Dedication Award. The award is given to a volunteer for outstanding commitment and support of the Finger Lakes SPCA.

+ The Bath Veterinary Hospital and Scottsville Veterinary Adoptions were presented with the Humane Veterinary Practice Excellence Award for their compassion, enduring veterinary support and dedication on behalf of orphan animals and perseverance in support of our animal welfare organization.

+ Dr. Karen Doucette was recognized as an individual veterinarian with the Outstanding Humane Veterinarian Service Award for her substantial donation of professional medical services and compassion to the SPCA's shelter animals.