2008 Humaneitarian Award Presented to Betty Emerson
WHS presented the second annual Humaneitarian Award to Betty Emerson of Salem at this year’s donor appreciation breakfast. The Humaneitarian Award recognizes a person or group who exemplifies the Willamette Humane Society’s mission of promoting the welfare of animals through leadership, education, and action.
Betty Emerson has spent most of her life caring for abandoned and neglected animals. She has been an active volunteer with Willamette Humane Society since 1979. Betty has served as a mentor, foster parent, and role model for dozens of WHS staff members throughout the years. In 2007, she sheltered and cared for more than 50 foster cats and kittens. Betty is also a passionate and active member of the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, where she organizes quarterly spay/neuter clinics and plays a key role in fundraising for the group. She also collects and distributes food for many colonies of sterilized feral cats living in the community.
“When I think of the term animal advocate, I think of Betty,” says WHS cattery manager Jen Hatch. “She has dedicated the majority of her life helping the less fortunate felines in our community,” says Jen. “Betty’s volunteerism truly exemplifies the spirit of the Willamette Humane Society’s mission of leadership, education and action,” adds Susan Carey, WHS executive director.