Colorado Animal Welfare Conference Session
Wait, Your Officers Do What?!
1:15-2:30pm – August 18, 2026
Lakewood Ballroom
Field Services
Animal control looks surprisingly different depending on where you are. The calls, the equipment, the authority, the enforcement decisions — none of it is as standardized as you might think.
This interactive 90-minute session pulls back the curtain on how animal control agencies actually operate across the state. Through live polling, map activities, and scenario-based discussion, participants will explore the wide variation in call types, officer safety equipment, supervisor structures, SOP clarity, and enforcement discretion — and start to understand why the same situation can lead to very different outcomes depending on the agency handling it.
Whether you’re a seasoned officer, an administrator, or someone newer to the field, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of how your agency compares — and a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind the work.
Noah Imai and Sergeant Audrey Borsick
About Audrey Borsick
Audrey is an Animal Protection Sergeant with 13 years of service at Denver Animal Protection and is committed to humane, ethical enforcement. With a background as a veterinary assistant and extensive training in animal behavior, she brings a rare blend of field experience and clinical understanding to complex welfare cases.
As a Certified Peaceful Euthanasia Professional, Audrey is trusted for her compassion and professionalism in the most sensitive aspects of animal care. She has led high‑risk investigations, supported large‑scale rescue operations, and mentored new officers entering the field, helping shape the next generation of humane law‑enforcement professionals.
Her work centers on strengthening community partnerships, elevating welfare standards across Colorado, and ensuring that every animal encounter is guided by safety, empathy, and evidence‑based practice.
In her free time, Audrey enjoys spending time on her farm with her assortment of animals, fishing, shooting sports and attending metal concerts.
About Noah Imai
Noah Imai has spent the past 13 years in animal welfare, starting out with a mix of hands-on jobs—from cleaning fish tanks to running dog daycare playgroups. After taking a role as a Kennel Technician at the Denver Animal Shelter, his eyes were opened to the impact of municipal services. He saw firsthand just how far an agency’s reach goes, and how heavily both people and animals rely on shelter services to keep communities healthy. Wanting to be a part of that larger mission pushed him toward the enforcement side of the industry, leading to six years out in the neighborhoods of Denver as an Animal Protection Officer.
For the last four years, Noah has served as a Sergeant for Denver Animal Protection. Having come up through the ranks, Noah is passionate about translating high-level administrative goals into practical field operations. He focuses on designing policies rooted in the realities of the field, clarifying the gray areas of enforcement, and streamlining daily processes. By constantly looking for ways to innovate and support his team, he helps ensure officers have the tools they need to do impactful work while upholding their commitment to the public.
Lately, Noah has been busy settling into a new house in the foothills. You’ll usually find him pulling weeds down by the creek with his two senior dogs, both adopted from the Denver Animal Shelter.