48th Annual Training Conference November 13 - 16 2022 - San Marcos, TX
All current members of the Texas Animal Control Association are entitled to vote for the Board of Directors that leads the Association. Ballots must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, November 7th to be counted. Validity of any questionable ballot will be determined by the Nomination Committee of the Texas Animal Control Association Board of Directors and their decision is final.
If you are unable to register to vote, your membership is likely listed as lapsed in the system. Only current certified members have voting rights. Please click here to obtain or renew your membership. If you feel there is a mistake in the system, please email Al Garces so that corrections can be made.
Executive Officer (One Position Available)
Edna Ellis
It is with great enthusiasm that I, Edna Ellis, accept the nomination of Executive Board Member on the Texas Animal Control Association (TACA) Board. With over a decade of dedicated service to TACA and a robust career in animal services and city government, I am eager to continue contributing to our shared mission of advancing animal welfare and professional excellence. My journey began in South Padre Island, Texas, where I earned certifications as an Animal Control Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, and Vector Control specialist, while also conducting plan reviews and health inspections. This diverse foundation fueled my passion for animal welfare, leading me to serve as an Animal Control Officer in another city, where I quickly advanced to Senior Animal Control Officer. Since July 2014, I have proudly served as the Animal Services Supervisor for the City of Leander, where I continue to lead with compassion and expertise. For over 13 years, I have been an active TACA member, serving in various leadership roles, including President, Past-President, Executive Board Member, and Board Member. These experiences have equipped me with a deep understanding of our organization’s goals and the needs of our members. I am committed to fostering collaboration, promoting professional development, and advocating for the highest standards in animal control and welfare. I am deeply honored to seek your support to serve on the TACA Board. With your vote, I pledge to continue championing the values and mission of TACA, ensuring a brighter future for our profession and the animals we serve. Thank you for your consideration.
Board of Director Candidates (Three Positions Available)
Kat Cortelyou
Kat Cortelyou brings over a decade of experience in animal welfare with a strong background in animal rescue and shelter management. As the Animal Services Manager for the City of Athens, she has led initiatives in animal control and sheltering, authored municipal ordinances, and developed fostering and transport programs that have transformed local shelter operations. Passionate about advancing animal welfare, Kat has expanded community outreach programs for spay and neuter services, testified before the Texas Senate on behalf of THLN regarding animal sales, and advised rescue groups across Texas on implementing effective ordinances in their own communities. Beyond her professional work, Kat actively volunteers with animal nonprofits, fosters rescue animals, and mentors young professionals entering the field. With expertise in financial oversight, strategic leadership, and community advocacy, she looks forward to contributing to the continued success of TACA as a board member.
Edward Cruz
My name is Edward Cruz and I work with the City of Fort Worth as a Animal Control Officer. I have been with the TACA Board in some capacity for the last 7 years and in that time I feel like I have learned a lot about how the board works, what it means to be a board member, and have been listening to some of the feedback our members provide about how they would like us to improve their experience with our Association. I would like to continue to serve the Members of TACA and help our Association continue to move forward. I do not just want to be on this board for the sake of being on this board I would like to continue to make a difference in how not only our membership sees this Association but the rest of the world. I appreciate your vote and look forward to seeing you all at the conference.
Carol Hettinger
Animal control officer for the city of Beaumont for the past 11 years, cruelty certified, and have a passion for animals.
Miranda Koenig
I’ve worked in animal services for 8 years and have always been dedicated to animals. I’m passionate about being a voice for change, improving care for animals and communities, and supporting the people who serve in this field.
Angel Linscott
I began my career in Animal Control in 2018, driven by a passion for protecting both animals and the communities we serve. In 2023, I was honored to join the Texas Animal Control Association Board, where I’ve worked to support officers across the state through education, advocacy, and collaboration. In 2022, I was recognized as Field Officer of the Year, an award that reflects not just my dedication in the field, but also my commitment to professionalism and excellence in our industry. I am running for re-election because I believe strongly in the mission of TACA and want to continue serving as a voice for Animal Control professionals. My goal is to keep advancing training, resources, and recognition for officers, ensuring we are supported as we face the challenges of this ever-evolving field. I would be grateful for your vote so I can continue working alongside my peers to strengthen and grow TACA.
Wesley Milner
With more than 18 years in public service and the last 7 years dedicated to animal welfare in North Texas, Wesley Milner brings both experience and heart to the mission of our Texas Animal Control Association. He currently leads the Field Services team for Grapevine Animal Services, where he has been instrumental in building processes that strengthen operations and support growth. As a Certified Humane Animal Investigator through the University of Missouri’s National Animal Cruelty Investigations School, he has also played a key role in increasing the investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty cases. Known for building strong relationships and fostering collaboration, he pairs professional expertise with compassion for animals and people alike. His leadership and dedication make him an exceptional candidate to serve the hardworking professionals of animal welfare in the State of Texas, and beyond, as a Board Member of your Texas Animal Control Association.
Jorge Moya
I am an Animal Welfare & Rescue Officer for the City of New Braunfels, Texas, where I enforce local and state animal codes, respond to citizen concerns, and work closely with law enforcement to protect both animals and people. Over the past seven years, I have built extensive experience in animal care and wildlife management, starting as a Primate Keeper at the Gladys Porter Zoo and later serving as an Animal Keeper at Fragile Planet Wildlife Park and an Education Assistant at the Gladys Porter Zoo. These roles strengthened my expertise in animal husbandry, safety protocols, and public outreach. Throughout my career, I have developed strong leadership and problem-solving skills, whether managing emergency responses, training staff, or creating education programs that connect communities with wildlife conservation. I place a high priority on regulatory compliance and proactive solutions to reduce conflicts between people and animals. To complement my field experience, I am advancing my education in business and accounting to enhance strategic planning, budgeting, and policy development.
Richard Sharp
Retired 24 year Paramedic. Now in second career as an Animal Control Officer. Currently seeking degree in Animal Welfare. Father and husband. Devout Christian.
Morgan Woodward
Morgan Woodward brings over 20 years of dedicated animal welfare leadership, including 15 years as a municipal shelter director in Florida. He has successfully managed shelter operations, budgets, and teams, consistently focusing on humane outcomes and community engagement. Morgan holds a degree in business administration as well as FEMA certifications, National Animal Control and National Animal Cruelty Investigator credentials, underscoring his commitment to professional standards and best practices in the field. His extensive experience spans both nonprofit and private sectors, including a director position with the Florida Animal Control Association and was a founding member of the North Carolina Animal Federation. Morgan’s proven leadership, operational expertise, and dedication to collaboration make him well-suited to serve as a Director with the Texas Animal Control Association.
The Texas Animal Control Association (TACA) will hold its 51st Annual Conference in Abilene, TX, on November 9th thru the 12th at the Doubletree by Hilton Abilene Downtown Convention Center (click here to make reservations). TACA is the oldest state association in the United States and this is the most attended conference by city and county governments that have animal control/welfare departments and operate animal shelters in Texas. These government entities have annual budgets to operate these departments and are looking for vendors that have products and services that meet their needs. We try to keep our sponsorship/exhibitor rates as reasonable as possible because we understand that come companies that have goods or services that can greatly benefit our attendees simply can’t afford thousands of dollars for nothing more than a small table in a crowded, expansive exhibit hall. This makes attending TACA's Conference an even better value! Additionally, our conference prioritizes networking and social interaction outside of exhibit all hours. This gives you the chance to spend more time with each registrant on a more personal level so that the advertising value to our sponsors and exhibitors is maximized. For more information, please click here to download our sponsor/exhibitor packet.
The faster the registration is completed and paid for, the sooner we can post your company as a sponsor/exhibitor for this year’s conference on our web site, mailer, and other promotional materials. Space and sponsorships are limited so register as soon as possible to reserve your space at the conference and ensure you are able to sponsor at the level you would like. TACA looks forward to your participation as a sponsor/exhibitor at this year’s conference.
You can get lost in the crowd of other conferences or you can come join us and really have the opportunity to interact with all of our attendees! If you need additional information or have any questions, please feel free to email Angel Linscott, our Exhibitor Committee Chair, email me, or call 832-629-5535
Sincerely,Al Garces Executive Director Texas Animal Control Association
This is the only conference in the state where every class, event, and award is specifically chosen due to the benefit it provides to animal care, control, and welfare personnel. Our focus is not volunteers, veterinarians, or rescue groups - it is the professionals who do this job day in and day out. If you want the best training that will provide you with tools to better perform your daily duties, this is the conference you need to attend! More information about speakers and classes can be found here on our website. The conference is approved for 15 continuing education hours. We look forward to seeing everyone in Abilene on November 9-12!
Attendees must have a current Membership in order to register for the conference. Membership is free for 2025, so if the registrant has or had a TACA membership, sign in using the email address that is specific to their TACA account and update Membership, if necessary. If your Membership has lapsed or if you are a new Member, update/obtain a Membership here. Do not obtain a Membership under a supervisor's email or using a group email (i.e. animalservices@city.gov) and instead use an individual email address that the registrant has access to. The credit card used to pay for the registration does not have to be in the registrant's name so supervisors can pay for the conference using their purchasing cards. Please email Al Garces or call him at (832) 629-5535 if you have any questions or problems with registration. If payment is to be made by mailing a check, please note TACA's new mailing address:
TACA2521 Georgia Ave Deer Park, TX 77536
If you are interested in being a sponsor or exhibitor at the conference, please click here for more information.
The Conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Convention Center in Abilene. The hotel is officially sold out but a secondary hotel has been secured nearby. Please click here to make your reservations. at the Hilton Garden Inn Abilene. Room rates start at just $165 per night but there are a limited number of rooms available so don't wait to make your reservations!
I look forward to seeing you all in Abilene!
Jamey Cantrell TACA President
If a participant wants to provide feedback on this course and/or its sponsor, the participant can mail comments to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Training Course Coordinator, Zoonosis Control, MC 1956, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas, 78714-9347 or email them to The.Vet@dshs.state.tx.us.
Topics covered include Texas animal laws, on-scene evidence collection, processing evidence in the shelter, puppy mills, and animal hoarding.
Attendees must have a current Membership in order to register for the TCCI 301. Membership is free for 2025, so if the registrant has or had a TACA membership, sign in using the email address that is specific to their TACA account and update Membership, if necessary. New members will need to put in an email address they have access to and obtain a Membership here. Do not obtain a Membership under a supervisor's email or using a group email (i.e. animalservices@city.gov). The credit card used to pay for the registration does not have to be in the registrant's name so supervisors can pay for the conference using their purchasing cards. Please email Al Garces or call him at (832) 629-5535 if you have any questions or problems with registration. If payment is to be made by mailing a check, please note TACA's new mailing address:
TACA 2521 Georgia Ave Deer Park, TX 77536
The Course will be held in conjunction with the annual Conference to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Convention Center in Abilene. Please click here to make your reservations. Room rates start at just $139 per night but there are a limited number of rooms available so don't wait to make your reservations! More information about speakers and classes at the Conference can be found here on TACA's website.
Course 301 is approved for 6.5 CE hours by TDSHS.
All courses are accepted by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association for continuing education hours for Certified Veterinary Technicians.
Courses 101 and 301 are accepted by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for continuing education hours for law enforcement personnel.
Animal Control Officers must satisfactorily complete all three courses. Certified Peace Officers must satisfactorily complete Courses 101 and 301. Courses do not have to be taken in any particular order; however certification is not transferred until all courses are successfully completed as required. Officers who have successfully completed a cruelty investigations course given by the National Animal Control Association, the Law Enforcement Training Institute, or the Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators may be certified as a TCCI if they email proof of training for consideration and approval. Officers who have successfully completed prior training may get credit for TCCI 101 and/or TCCI 201 and only be required to complete TCCI 301 for certification. All Officers certified as TCCI must obtain and maintain an annual membership with TACA. All Officers certified as TCCI must successfully complete a renewal course at least once every three years. Renewal courses will be provided each year at TACA's Annual Training Conference.
If the registrant has or had a TACA membership, sign in using the email address that is specific to their TACA account. Current members can then register for the reduced rate and returning members can update their membership. New members will need to put in an email address they have access to and register as a member during registration. Do not register an attendee under a supervisor's email or using a group email (i.e. animalservices@city.gov). The credit card used to pay for the registration does not have to be in the registrant's name so supervisors can pay for the conference using their purchasing cards. Please email Al Garces or call him at (832) 629-5535 if you have any questions or problems with registration. If payment is to be made by mailing a check, please note TACA's new mailing address:
2521 Georgia Ave,
Deer Park, TX 77536
