FAIRHOPE, Ala. — For several years, Rob Walker was the driving force behind what was then known as the Baldwin County Humane Society. Walker was executive director of the volunteer organization from 1998 until he died in December 2006, not long after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Now, the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center (BARC) is honoring Walker and those who love animals with the first annual Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award, which will go to an individual who has “shown exemplary devotion and care for animals in Baldwin County.”

Nominations are being accepted until April 11 at 4 p.m., and the honor will be given later that month during BARC’s annual meeting.

Kathy Eddy, BARC executive director, said the award will go to “someone who has shown compassion (for pets) — someone who has gone above and beyond. It doesn’t have to be someone who is associated with or who volunteered for BARC.”

According to nomination guidelines furnished by Eddy, each entry must include a brief explanation of the nominee’s qualities and any specific examples of services rendered in the area of animal care or animal rescue. Those submitting a name are also asked to mention whether the nominee is affiliated with any animal welfare organization.

The nominee should possess those qualities demonstrated by Walker, the rules state, including compassion, devotion, tenderheartedness, dependability and perseverance.

“He was totally devoted to animal welfare,” said Wendy Vogel, a BARC volunteer and former board member. “He would go above and beyond to take care of an animal in need. He never turned one away. He was compassionate.”

Vogel mentioned, as an example, an incident that occurred six or seven years ago when a “Good Samaritan” rescued a poodle mix. The dog had been hit by a car, and was left to die alongside the road. The animal was also mauled by other dogs before it was found.

When the attending veterinarian called Walker and told him the animal would have to be euthanized because its pelvis had been crushed, Walker sprang into action.

Vogel said, “Rob drove there, picked the dog up and took him to Bay Animal Clinic (in Montrose). He said (the dog) snapped at him the whole way.” Walker understood, she pointed out, because he knew the animal was in tremendous pain.

Dr. R.A. Moore, who specializes in orthopedics, operated on the dog, piecing him back together as the surgery progressed.

“Two plates and 14 pins later, this little dog began its recovery,” Vogel said. She noted Walker visited him often during the two months he spent healing at the clinic.

Vogel took over from there, transporting the dog to its foster family as well as to medical checkups until a permanent home was found.

She said, “He recovered, although he was a little disabled and his feet curled. But, he can run and play. My neighbor adopted him, and named him Happy. Not only is he living a happy life, he changed the woman’s life.”

Vogel’s former neighbor is a widow, and is now living in Huntsville with Happy by her side.

“He was willing to take a chance, go that extra mile and say, ‘What are we going to do?’” she said.

Under Walker’s leadership, the group was restructured as a rescue agency for homeless dogs and cats. The effort led to the adoption of thousands of pets, as well as the implementation of an inexpensive spay and neuter program for low income families. Walker also created a number of innovative programs designed to reduce the number of abandoned and abused animals.

Eddy said, “We want to recognize folks who have gone above and beyond, and encourage others to think what they can do to improve animal welfare in Baldwin County. There’s not just one fix — not just adoption, not just spay and neuter, not just education. It’s going to take a combination of everything.”

BARC placed 1,800 animals in new homes last year, and provided 3,212 medical assists, including spay and neuter certificates. She said around 4,300 pets were euthanized during that same period at the county’s animal control center alone.

“Unfortunately, we have a certain population of people who don’t care about animals,” Vogel said. “Their attitude is ‘take it to the shelter.’ They don’t care about what happens to it.”

She said the idea of honoring Walker in this way had been kicked around for some time, but it was Tracy Holiday, BARC board president, who finally set the wheels in motion.

“We had talked and said this would be a good idea, but it was she who said, ‘let’s do this,’” Vogel said. “Rob was always ready with a hug when my old dog was dying. He would come see how she was doing. He was a very compassionate individual.”

Eddy added, “It will be interesting to see what kind of stories we will get from the community. I imagine we will have some veterinarians nominated.”

Those wishing to nominate someone for the Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award should send the name, phone number, snail mail and e-mail addresses of the nominee, as well as their own contact information, to the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center, P.O. Box 206, Fairhope, AL. 36533, or e-mail it to hsociety@bellsouth.net.