In Memoriam

Doug Beckmann

For the past ten years, the dogs at our shelter were given unconditional love by an extraordinary volunteer, Doug Beckmann. Doug was often the first human to give a forlorn pup the first sense that everything would be alright. He showed even the most challenging dogs that positive human connections could be made, which led to so many being placed in adoptive homes.

The Norfolk Animal Care Center family and the world lost Doug suddenly in April, and he will be deeply missed. He was a leader by example among our volunteer team. Walk one more dog, fold the last blanket, try to connect with a dog who may seem a little skittish – he created that standard at our center.

To honor his memory, donations were collected for the purchase of a pet identification tag machine. We're calling it “Doug-Tags”. It is available not only for new pet owners and those reunited but for the community, providing an affordable option to identify a lost pet quickly. Something Doug would appreciate.

“Truly heartbroken today, but I know he is walking a leash-biting dog over the rainbow bridge …and wouldn’t have it any other way” – Bryce, NACC team member.

Stop by NACC today and see all the great work the staff and volunteers do every day. Consider purchasing a Doug-Tag for your pet. As always, thank you for your continued support!

Pam Hyatt

Two years ago, Pamela Scott Hyatt died leaving a legacy of music and love, including for her own beloved cats and for the cats at NACC, where she volunteered.

Now, the new cat colony room, made possible in part by a bequest Hyatt left to Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center, has been named in her honor. The colony room allows cats to live together in an open space, providing a more home-like environment and allowing social cats to interact.

Hyatt deeply loved her own cats, Oliver and Fritz, and loved to share stories and pictures of them. She adopted one of them from NACC. We are humbled by and grateful for her generosity.

Gifts like Hyatt's help Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center subsidize adoptions, assist with specialized medical care for sick and injured animals and promote spay/neuter programs in the community.

Tammy Dodson

It is with heavy hearts that we inform our supporters that one of our Board members, Tammy Dodson, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, September 12. A longtime volunteer at the shelter and with Friends, Tammy joined our Board in January, 2017, and shortly thereafter was named Marketing/Fundraising Chair, utilizing her vast knowledge and experience from her day job as Marketing Director for Distance Learning at Old Dominion University.

Tammy’s unending energy and enthusiasm showed in each and every event she helped plan and execute-- from way back at the St. Patty’s Day parade, to more recent partnerships with local breweries and Norfolk Festevents, to our signature events, Dogs Gone Swimming and Dogtoberfest, Tammy could be seen in those familiar tie-dye or NACC green t-shirts! Whether she was in charge or just helping with organization or vendor relations, Tammy’s leadership and professionalism shone through and had a positive impact on everyone around her.

It’s hard to express just how much we’ll miss her… her smile, her sense of humor, and most of all, her compassion for the homeless animals at the shelter. The world now seems just a little dimmer without her shining spirit.