Southeastern Animal Control Association

John W. Thompson

Executive Director & CEO

National Animal Care and Control Association

40960 California Oaks Rd. #242, Murrieta, CA 92562

Office: (913)768-1319

Cell: (240)508-7965

jthompson@nacanet.org

www.nacanet.org

www.nacatraining.org

www.nacaconference.org

John Thompson is the Executive Director and CEO at the National Animal Care & Control Association. Previously, after a 30 year law enforcement career, retiring as chief of police, he served as the Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA).

In 2013, after learning about the link between animal abuse and violence against people, Mr. Thompson went on a mission to ensure law enforcement became aware of this horrible evidence and to bridge the gap between law enforcement and animal advocates. He lead a movement that established the National Coalition on Violence Against Animals, an independent collective of local, state and national organizations that focus on animal cruelty and its relationship to other forms of violence. Additionally, he established and led the development of the National Law Enforcement Center on Animal Abuse, a clearinghouse at the NSA for law enforcement on all animal abuse issues they may face.

Mr. Thompson also led the NSA's petition to the FBI to include animal abuse crimes in the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which was approved and signed by FBI Director Comey in September 2014. Currently, he is working to bridge the large gap between animal care & control professionals and law enforcement, he has been on a mission to spread the word and help them find ways to work cohesively on animal issues. He continues to help law enforcement understand the linkages between animal abuse and human abuse, as well as enhancing the careers and profession of animal care professionals throughout the US.

He has been recognized nationally for his work in changing the perception of law enforcement. Thompson was named one of the Animal Legal Defense Fund's, Top Animal Defenders and receive the Humane Society of the United States', Humane Leadership award. Most recently he received the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Medal.