The Fairfax County Animal Shelter was recognized for two programs and a recent large-scale animal rescue operation. 

The Metropolitan Council of Governments, a regional organization of Washington area local governments, recognized the shelter for a case involving a rescue of over 160 cats in Annandale.

The council praised the shelter for working to treat the cats over five months, allowing many of them to be adopted.

It also received the Community Impact Award for its spay/neuter program. According to the shelter, more then 4,2000 animals have been spayed or neutered. The trap, neuter, and return program also resulted in nearly a 10 percent decrease in the intake of the offspring of feral cats requiring foster care in 2010 versus 2011.

Shelter volunteer Theresa Baker also received the council’s Humane Education Award for her efforts with the shelter’s pit bull adoption program.