An annual volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Control Facility afforded one Washington volunteer an unexpected honor Thursday.

Shortly after Leslie Steele was named the Beaufort County Animal Control’s 2014 volunteer of the year by Animal Control Director Todd Taylor, another announcement was made, this one by Dr. Marty Poffenberger, president of the Humane Society of Beaufort County: Steele was selected as a 2014 recipient of the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.

The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service, according to the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service website.

Steele is co-founder of Washington Cat Rescue and an avid Humane Society of Beaufort County volunteer. According to Taylor, Steele put in 248 hours of volunteer service at the shelter in 2013, a number he called “above and beyond” the average volunteer.

“She carries the animals in her heart, especially the cats,” said HSBC volunteer and Pets of the Week photographer Dottie Walker. “She’s so dedicated. … It’s been long coming — she puts her heart and soul into it.”

A retired schoolteacher, Steele made her rescue connection at a lobbying event in Raleigh. A recent resident of Washington, she met longtime local HSBC volunteer Margaret Petersen there. Since, she has worked tirelessly to find new homes for shelter cats, arranging rescues and providing transport for the animals up and down the East Coast.

For Steele’s lifelong friend Carolyn Simons, the award came as no surprise.

“She’s passionate and has unbelievable organizational skills,” Simons said.

That passion and the accompanying skills allowed Steele to greatly contribute to the number of animals that left the shelter in 2013. Last year, 314 cats were rescued. So far, 94 cats have been rescued this year.

“No one has ever deserved this award more than Leslie,” said Stacy Pack, who, along with Steele, can often be seen manning the HSBC booth at Washington’s Saturday Markets and other events.

A visibly moved Steele was surrounded by friends and fellow volunteers as the award was presented by Poffenberger.

“None of these volunteers do it for themselves. They do it for the shelter and the animals,” Poffenberger said.