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This year, the Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association (FAPAA) hosted its Annual Conference Award Banquet Dinner on February 21. FAPAA, originally organized in 1961 as the Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) is nationally recognized for building partnerships and initiatives to protect and uplift both animals and humans within communities in adjacent states and throughout Florida. Palm Beach County Public Safety Department Animal Care and Control Division (PBCACC) is proud that this prestigious organization recognized the hard work of two veterinarians working at the shelter, Dr. Sayre and Dr. Wright.
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Dr. Virginia Sayre, DVM, was awarded the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for spending over 30 years making contributions towards the improvement of animal welfare, protection and advocacy in Florida. Dr. Sayre has been a practicing veterinarian since 1985, having earned her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. She has spent 28 years serving as a full-time veterinarian at PBCACC. In this role, Dr. Sayre has been a cornerstone of animal welfare in the community, providing care to all species and addressing needs at every level from routine vaccinations to complex emergency surgeries. Her compassionate approach and tireless efforts have directly improved the lives of countless animals and their families.
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Beyond her full-time work, Dr. Sayre’s commitment to animal welfare extends into her personal time. She is actively involved in local vaccine clinics, spay-neuter initiatives, and community outreach/education to ensure that animals in underserved and low-income areas receive the care they need. Dr. Sayre’s advocacy extends to the courtroom where she has championed the rights of animals seeking justice in hundreds of neglect and abuse cases. She is an exceptional mentor to countless students, technicians and new graduate veterinarians. Dr. Sayre has left an indelible mark on the animals of Palm Beach County and the sheltering community she has helped shape through her impressive commitment to the welfare of animals.
Dr. Ysabel Wright joined the PBCACC team in July 2023 and has proven herself to be an exceptional veterinarian with dedication to excellence, outstanding personal skills and commitment to both patient care and the ongoing improvement of the shelter’s medical practices and policies. These qualities are what made her an ideal candidate to be awarded the Rising Star Award. Dr. Wright’s technical skills are matched by her compassionate approach to every case. She works with a level of professionalism and care that has greatly raised the bar of the entire clinic team. Her collaborative approach fosters a positive, productive work environment, and she consistently helps lift the team morale. Dr. Wright’s patience is evident in the way she works with staff, helping them to feel supported and confident in their roles. She has excelled in forensics, and her involvement in court cases and investigations have achieved favorable outcomes in legal proceedings. Dr. Wright has demonstrated a deep commitment to the welfare of animals through her work not only with PBCACC but with her own nonprofit organization, the Veterinary Alliance Center for Accessible Care. Her contributions to PBCACC, her colleagues and the wider community are immeasurable.
PBCACC is dedicated to promoting the health, safety and welfare of both people and animals in the community. For more information on PBCACC’s services, please visit the website or contact the office directly. Join PBCACC in making Palm Beach County a safe and compassionate place for all animals.
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Contact Information: pbcgov.org/animal, 561-233-1200, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL, 33411. Social media: facebook.com/PBCACC, Instagram: @PBCACC