Killeen Animal Services Scores Major Win with TATOA Award Nomination

Killeen Animal Services is getting a lot of attention after a campaign designed to help promote the animals at the city’s animal shelter received statewide recognition. The City of Killeen’s Communications and Marketing team has been named a finalist for the 2026 Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (TATOA) Government Programming Award.

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Killeen’s ‘Kitties and Pitties’ Just Earned Major Statewide Recognition

The campaign, “Kitties and Pitties,” refers to animals available for adoption and looking for their forever homes. The campaign is now one of three finalists in the Animal Services category and will be recognized during TATOA’s annual awards conference, which will take place in San Antonio from November 4 through November 6.

The Story Behind Killeen’s Award-Nominated 'Kitties and Pitties' Campaign

Torrie Bethany, executive director of Communications and Marketing for the City of Killeen, said the recognition means a lot to the team because it shows that the work they are doing to tell Killeen’s story is being seen.

Killeen’s Unique Animal Campaign Is a Finalist for a Prestigious Award

Bethany said the team is always looking for better ways to brainstorm, tell stories, and connect with residents. She also emphasized that great storytelling takes collaboration. The “Kitties and Pitties” campaign brought the Communications and Marketing team and Animal Services together around a shared goal: helping more people see the animals behind the adoptions and encouraging them to find their forever homes. Being named a finalist is a major accomplishment for the City of Killeen and highlights the creative work being done to connect the community with animals in need. Now, the team will wait to see if Killeen takes home the award in November.