Staff

Volunteers

There are over 30 invaluable volunteers at the Sitka Animal Shelter.  These volunteers contribute many hours to the shelter by cleaning kennels, walking the animals, and feeding and watering them.  A TLC (Tender, Loving Care) program is available for 8-15 year old children.  These kids play and help socialize the animals. More information on becoming a volunteer can be found here.

While the Shelter is dependent on this group of caring and committed volunteers to sustain its operations, the City of Sitka does employ one person full time. Nancy Buckmaster serves as the Animal Shelter Director as well as the Animal Control Officer (ACO) for the Sitka Police Department.

Nancy Buckmaster

ACO Buckmaster enforces all City and State animal control ordinances and statutes.  Nancy is also the Certified Euthanasia Technician at the Shelter.

Each year, about 500 animals are impounded, of which half are subsequently adopted.  Although there are 150-200 animals euthanized annually, this number is decreasing with education on the benefits of spay/neuter. 

The ACO is active in the community, teaching 500-600 preschool through elementary students how to be responsible pet owners, how to avoid dog bites and the importance of respecting all living things.  Also, animals from the shelter are taken each month to visit with residents living at Sitka Community Hospital long-term care facility.  These animals are used as therapy and are very popular with the residents and staff.  A first aid class is also offered to dog owners since many dogs are taken hunting, fishing and camping.

Officer Buckmaster has been the ACO in Sitka since January 1996.  She was certified at the University of Missouri/Columbia Law Enforcement Training Institute through the National Animal Control Association.  In January 1997, she was certified as an "Animal Euthanasia Technician", through the National Animal Control Association; Maricopa County Humane Association, AZ.  In 1999, Nancy completed a "Volunteer Manager Workshop" through the American Human Association in Englewood Colorado. She also attended the 1999 American Humane Association "National Training Conference" in Minneapolis Minnesota.

In 2001, Officer Buckmaster attended the "National Animal Control Association Training Conference" in Daytona Beach Florida. In 2002, she attended a "Cat Behavior in the Animal Shelter" workshop in Pasadena CA., and completed a "Crime Scene Investigation/Courtroom Procedures" class through the Juneau Police Department at the 2002 Alaska Animal Control Annual Conference. In 2003, Officer Buckmaster attended the Alaska Animal Control Association Annual Training Conference in Seward Alaska, where she was elected Vice President of the Alaska Animal Control Association. On December 3, 2004, ACO Buckmaster completed certification in "National Cruelty Investigations" in Sacramento, California through the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Training Institute School of Law-University of Missouri-Columbia. A $1,500.00 grant from the ASPCA's National Shelter Outreach Department funded the training. Also in 2004 she attended the Alaska Animal Control Conference in Anchorage and hosted the 2005 Alaska Animal Control Conference in Sitka. 

In 2004 ACO Buckmaster attended the 10th  Annual Worldwide "Leadership from the Ground up;effectiveness in Changing Times" in Anchorage.  In 2006 she attended the American Humane Association Annual Conference in Chicago.  In 2007 she began to prepare for any potential disaster that might happen in Sitka, through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association.) She began taking  classes on line to be qualified to participate in any National Incident Management System (NIMS) agency that would assist Sitka should an "Incident" occur. ACO qualified on three levels through FEMA. In 2009, she was certified with FAMA and the American Humane Association in Disaster Sheltering for Companion Animals which was held in Seattle.  In her off hours she enjoys camping, fishing and is an avid gardener; she loves to read. Nancy is owned by a Terrier/Dachshund mix breed "Pound Puppy" named Radar adopted from the Sitka Animal Shelter.

Sitka Animal Shelter: (907) 747-3567

Sitka Animal Control: (907) 747-3245