Apple of Our Eye Award

About the Award

Kitsap Humane Society’s Apple of Our Eye Award is named in honor of former Washington State Representative and KHS Board Member Sherry Appleton and honors individuals or organizations who have made significant contributions to the success or development of Kitsap Humane Society or have made extraordinary contributions to animal welfare in the Pacific Northwest.

Honorees are chosen by a specially selected panel of local officials and Kitsap Humane Society friends, volunteers, and staff. Honorees, living or deceased, will be selected based on their contribution in the areas of animal care, leadership, innovation, and commitment to KHS’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for thousands of animals every year and to serve as a nationally recognized model for animal welfare institutions. Anyone can nominate an influential individual or organization by filling out a nomination form.

To be considered:

Animal Welfare: How has this person or organization contributed to the well-being of animals, either within KHS specifically, or in Kitsap County or Washington State generally? 

Leadership: How has this person or organization’s leadership benefitted KHS or animal welfare in our community? What initiatives did they spearhead or guide? What are the results of their efforts?

Innovation: What programs or initiatives did this person or organization create or drive that uniquely and positively impacted KHS and the way it serves the community? 

Mission: How has this person or organization contributed to furthering KHS’ mission? How have they contributed to the betterment of the resident animals, staff, and volunteers? How have they projected a positive public image of KHS?

About Sherry Appleton

Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Washington State Representative, animal lover and advocate, and KHS Board Member, Sherry Appleton played an enormous role in making Kitsap Humane Society what it is today. Among her many achievements, Appleton was integral in the passage of State Bill 5004, which allowed nonprofit humane societies to provide veterinary services to households that are low-income and led to the creation of the Russ and Linda Veterinary Lifesaving Center. She was an innovator, a thought leader, and an extraordinary voice for animals – and the very embodiment of what the “Apple of Our Eye Award” represents.

To download an application, click here.

Applications should be emailed to Director of Communications Mike Bush at mbush@kitsap-humane.org