Emily Franklin was, in her own words, “animal crazy” from the moment she was born. She recalls the love she felt for her first two pets – a pair of ferrets named Thelma and Louise – and how desperate she was as a child to have a dog of her own. Franklin’s youthful passion for animals continued to grow and led her to service on the Virginia Beach SPCA Board of Directors, where she worked tirelessly to elevate the annual Wags & Whiskers Gala into the signature event it is today. It is for her longstanding commitment to animal welfare and the VBSPCA that Franklin is receiving the 2025 Lifesaver Award.
As soon as she could talk, Franklin began asking her parents for a dog. It took many years – and too many pleas to count – but she finally got her wish in high school. A family member could no longer care for Ruby, a beautiful red Doberman, and Franklin’s parents agreed to take her in. “It was the best day. I was thrilled,” she recalled. Ruby passed a year later, and next came another red Doberman named Lila. But it wasn’t until Franklin’s husband Taylor brought home a dog named Jax that she felt the full emotional impact of four-legged companionship.
“The gift of caring for another being without the ability to ever have verbal communication instills a trust in not just another soul but one deeper within yourself,” Franklin said. “That love will change you.” Now a mother of three, Franklin has taken care to instill respect for all animals into her children – lessons aided by the family dogs, who she lovingly calls “the boys.” “There is nothing greater about our life with our boys than seeing them with our children,” she said. “Knowing the love that they have for our children gives me a joy and comfort that knows no bounds. In turn, having our boys teach our children responsibility, confidence, compassion, trust, and ownership will only shape them to be better people. Rescue and adoption have taught our family the importance of selflessness and appreciation for those who cannot advocate for themselves.”
Taking the importance of selflessness to heart, Franklin began volunteering her time as a member of the VBSPCA Board of Directors in 2012. She was encouraged to do so by her brother-in-law and current Board member Scott Taylor. “They had me at hello,” Franklin said. Once on the Board, Franklin faced a dilemma not uncommon to visitors of the shelter. She fell in love with every furry face she saw and wanted to add them all to her family. “I remember spending time at the VBSPCA with my friend [and fellow Board member] Maria Elmer,” Franklin said. “I remember telling her that I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to volunteer specifically in the shelter because I would end up adopting them all.” Soon after, Franklin found her calling.
“Right after that, we were at Gala,” Franklin said. “I walked over to Maria and said ‘this is how we can help. Let’s chair the Gala together next year.’ We organized the revival of the VBSPCA Wags and Whiskers Gala that next year. It was a smashing success.” Franklin served as Gala Chair from 2015-2017. The Wags & Whiskers Gala has continued growing in the succeeding years and is now the largest fundraising event on the VBSPCA’s calendar – raising roughly $350,000 for the animals each year. Franklin will be presented with the 2025 Lifesaver Award at this year’s Gala, held April 12th at the Marriott Oceanfront Resort.
For all the hard work put into the organization by Franklin, she insists she received far more than she ever gave.“My support of the VBSPCA has given more to me than I have to them, I can assure you,” she said. “It has been such a highlight of my last decade. Receiving this award is truly special and it feels like an award for just loving animals because every moment I spent raising money for this organization was for the betterment of the lives of the animals that come through that door.”
Last Updated: March 5, 2025 by vbspcaadmin
2025 VBSPCA Lifesaver Award Recipient: Emily Franklin
As soon as she could talk, Franklin began asking her parents for a dog. It took many years – and too many pleas to count – but she finally got her wish in high school. A family member could no longer care for Ruby, a beautiful red Doberman, and Franklin’s parents agreed to take her in. “It was the best day. I was thrilled,” she recalled. Ruby passed a year later, and next came another red Doberman named Lila. But it wasn’t until Franklin’s husband Taylor brought home a dog named Jax that she felt the full emotional impact of four-legged companionship.
“The gift of caring for another being without the ability to ever have verbal communication instills a trust in not just another soul but one deeper within yourself,” Franklin said. “That love will change you.” Now a mother of three, Franklin has taken care to instill respect for all animals into her children – lessons aided by the family dogs, who she lovingly calls “the boys.” “There is nothing greater about our life with our boys than seeing them with our children,” she said. “Knowing the love that they have for our children gives me a joy and comfort that knows no bounds. In turn, having our boys teach our children responsibility, confidence, compassion, trust, and ownership will only shape them to be better people. Rescue and adoption have taught our family the importance of selflessness and appreciation for those who cannot advocate for themselves.”
Taking the importance of selflessness to heart, Franklin began volunteering her time as a member of the VBSPCA Board of Directors in 2012. She was encouraged to do so by her brother-in-law and current Board member Scott Taylor. “They had me at hello,” Franklin said. Once on the Board, Franklin faced a dilemma not uncommon to visitors of the shelter. She fell in love with every furry face she saw and wanted to add them all to her family. “I remember spending time at the VBSPCA with my friend [and fellow Board member] Maria Elmer,” Franklin said. “I remember telling her that I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to volunteer specifically in the shelter because I would end up adopting them all.” Soon after, Franklin found her calling.
“Right after that, we were at Gala,” Franklin said. “I walked over to Maria and said ‘this is how we can help. Let’s chair the Gala together next year.’ We organized the revival of the VBSPCA Wags and Whiskers Gala that next year. It was a smashing success.” Franklin served as Gala Chair from 2015-2017. The Wags & Whiskers Gala has continued growing in the succeeding years and is now the largest fundraising event on the VBSPCA’s calendar – raising roughly $350,000 for the animals each year. Franklin will be presented with the 2025 Lifesaver Award at this year’s Gala, held April 12th at the Marriott Oceanfront Resort.
For all the hard work put into the organization by Franklin, she insists she received far more than she ever gave.“My support of the VBSPCA has given more to me than I have to them, I can assure you,” she said. “It has been such a highlight of my last decade. Receiving this award is truly special and it feels like an award for just loving animals because every moment I spent raising money for this organization was for the betterment of the lives of the animals that come through that door.”
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