Scott Giacoppo

Scott Giacoppo is Senior Director of National Shelter Support for Best Friends Animal Society, where he oversees the development of lifesaving programs and long-term sustainability strategies for animal welfare partners nationwide. In his role, he provides strategic leadership, operational guidance, and hands-on training to animal welfare professionals, while advancing modern, community-based training models for animal control agencies and officers across the United States.

Prior to joining Best Friends, Scott served for a decade as Chief of Animal Field Services for Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C.. In this role, he led animal control and cruelty investigation teams, developed and implemented innovative community-centered programs, helped draft and secure critical animal protection legislation, and represented the organization as a speaker at regional and national conferences.

Scott’s career in animal protection began in 1989 as an animal caregiver in Minneapolis. He later returned to his hometown of Boston, where he served as a Special State Police Officer for cruelty investigations with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During this time, he received the Boston Police Commissioner’s Citation for his work addressing dangerous dogs and gang-related activity, certificates of excellence from the New England Crime Prevention Partnership for advancing community policing education, and a certificate of appreciation from the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office for his role in the investigation and prosecution of precedent-setting animal fighting cases.

Scott has also served on the board of directors and as President of the National Animal Care and Control Association, contributing to the advancement of professional standards and leadership within the field.