FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Choosing someone to be honored with the second Robert Walker Animal Compassion Award was a tall order this year, said Wendy Vogel, Baldwin County Humane Society award committee chairperson. Several deserving people were nominated, and that made narrowing them down to one a nearly impossible task.

But, one name finally emerged. Retired junior high and high school biology teacher and Fairhope resident Nevin Yankie, who spends countless hours volunteering with the organization, was named this year’s winner during the group’s annual meeting.

“She is the one who went above and beyond,” Vogel said. “She’s always jumping to the head of the line to take care of things. Her spirit is just amazing. She’s always positive, and always willing to help. She’s very selfless — very amazing really.”

Yankie has indeed given much to the cause of unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned dogs and cats in Baldwin County, according to BCHS officials, who say her devotion to animal welfare is nearly second to none. She was very surprised when her name was announced April 23.

“I felt there were people who deserved it more than me,” Yankie said. “I was pleased and quite honored.”

Yankie began her volunteer work with the organization in 2001, during Walker’s tenure as executive director. He was later diagnosed with, and succumbed to, multiple sclerosis.

Yankie currently answers the phone at the group’s Magnolia Avenue office at least one day a week, working to find solutions to animal welfare issues raised by callers. She is also very active in the many fundraisers that keep the Humane Society in business.

“I’ve done a lot of work with Christmas by the Bay, getting restaurant (participation),” Yankie said. “I’ve been heavily involved in fundraising. I just try to help out as much as I can.”

She regularly coordinates volunteers for the society’s annual holiday event, which raises thousands of dollars for animal welfare services and programs. The money is very much needed, she said.

“A tremendous amount goes into it,” Yankie noted. “A large number of our rescues have heartworms, or need some other type of medical treatment. We also subsidize spay and neuter programs.”

Unfortunately, the funding to offer those services at a low cost to the less fortunate is getting harder to come by, she added, saying, “We were the only ones in two counties who offered financial assistance on those.”

Yankie volunteers at many of the monthly adoption events held by the agency and occasionally makes pre-adoption home visits.

She even works during every Fairhope Arts and Crafts festival, selling items to raise money for BCHS. This year she designed and oversaw the production of numerous products that resulted in the most successful festival income ever, BCHS leaders said.

Yankie often hand-writes thank you notes to donors, or adds handwritten notes to every typed thank you letter that is sent. She is also responsible for sending proof of contributions to individual donors for use with their tax returns.

She spearheaded the rescue of numerous animals over the years, including a very special pet rescued from a construction site. “Debbie” now lives in Florida with a wonderful family thanks to her efforts.

Yankie said, “I’ve always been an animal lover. I don’t remember a time in my life I didn’t have a dog.” She noted time spent on a farm, where she cared for horses and dogs.

Born at Paris Island, S.C. Yankie grew up as a military brat, sometimes moving from place to place depending on where her Marine dad was called. She said she spent most of her life in Louisiana, however, before moving to Mobile in 1987. She and her husband, Alan, moved to Fairhope 11 years ago.

“We have many dedicated volunteers, and we need more,” Yankie said. More potential adoptive families are needed as well.

Yankie recently recently received a call from a dog lover who said he found a stray he couldn’t keep because he already provided a loving home for several others. Because of the sheer volume of homeless animals though, BCHS was unable to help.

“Since 2001, I’ve gotten that same call over and over,” she said. “It can be very discouraging. You’ve got to keep saying ‘one at a time, one at a time.’”

Yankie now also serves on the BCHS board. One person making her nomination stated, “She is known for her hard work and dependability on annual projects and any committee of which she is a member.” Committee members point out, “This spirit of commitment and true love for animals is why we award the 2009 Robert Walker Animal Compassion Award to Nevin Yankie.”

Because so many significant nominations were received for the Walker Award this year, the committee decided to award Certificates of Recognition to five of those who also shine as outstanding examples of devotion to animals. They are:

•Beverly Hicks of Lillian — She was singled out for her dedication to animal welfare in her work with the Baldwin County Humane Society, devoting personal time with individuals, groups and volunteers to rehabilitate for adoption hundreds of homeless animals.

•Taylor (Red) Wilkins Jr. of Bay Minette — He was recognized for his efforts to establish a state-of-the-art, no-kill animal shelter in Bay Minette, which will soon become a reality.

•Janet Hein of Loxley, (Willow Farm, All Breed Canine Equine Rescue) — She was honored for her work in rescuing more than 19 horses, as well as cows, dogs and other wildlife.

•Jennifer Johnson of Bay Minette — She was named for her work in rescuing and rehabilitating caged birds, dogs, cats and wildlife, and for establishing a pet therapy program in her work as a speech pathologist.

•Anne Jindrich of Orange Beach — The Pleasure Island resident was recognized for her work in fostering and rehabilitating feral and rescued cats, and for underwriting the cost of many spay and neuter procedures.

“Everyone is deserving (of the honor) in their own way,” Vogel said. “This was a tougher group, and we had to pick just one.”

Yankie added, “I think I ‘m in pretty awesome company, considering what (other) people have given up to help.”

The Rob Walker Animal Compassion Award goes each year to an individual who has “shown exemplary devotion and concern for animals in Baldwin County.” Those nominated should “possess those qualities demonstrated by Walker including compassion, devotion, tenderheartedness, dedication, dependability, perseverance and animal welfare advocacy on behalf of animals in need,” according to nomination guidelines.

Although she is more than happy to work with Jim Turner, current BCHS executive director and a longtime advocate of animal welfare himself, Yankie nonetheless misses Walker. She said, “It would be nice to have Rob back with us. We could sure use his hard work, his dedication, his compassion.”

The Baldwin County Humane Society (includes the Baldwin Animal Rescue Center, aka BARC) is a 501(c3) not-for-profit organization. It is a countywide no-kill animal welfare group. For 30 years, the group has worked with cities and the county, along with other shelters and groups, to re-home animals.

It also raises money for medical care for injured animals and countywide spay and neuter programs. It assists low-income individuals and families with pet costs.

The organization also takes in animals that some other groups will not. It finds foster homes and pays for shelter for any animal in need brought to its attention.

BCHS promotes animal welfare issues for all types of animals, and is lobbying for a new animal shelter for Baldwin County.

For more information, about the Baldwin County Humane Society, call (251) 928-4585, e-mail info@baldwinanimalrescue.com, or visit www.baldwinanimalrescue.com.