In 2019, animals in Newtown had the spotlight on them when they were featured in various stories throughout the year.

There was the time in March where the Newtown Animal Control Center was inundated with roughly 20 owner-surrendered cats in need of homes — some of which are still up for adoption.

Rosy the dog, owned by Newtown residents Cris Carvalho and Paul Fadus, won the coveted C.H. Booth Library’s Cutest Pet Contest in August.

Then there was Sandy Hook resident Robin A.F. Olson’s 10-year-old cat, Blitzen, who also attracted some fame when he graced television screens across the nation in his debut commercial for Blue Buffalo adult cat food.

Compassionate locals were at the forefront of articles, too, when they stepped up to protect and/or home animals in 2019.

Second District Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan continued working on legislative change to protect pet owners from inhumane puppy mills.

In March, Newtown Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason was honored with an Excellence of Service Award from the Mark Twain House & Museum and Kenway’s Cause at the Third Annual Bark Twain Bash.

Ms Mason helped nesting birds looking for refuge in May, when she cared for birdhouses by the shelter. Newtown resident and Protect Our Pollinators member Dottie Evans helped the birds, too, by overseeing the birdhouses in remote meadow areas around the shelter.

Eight-year-old environmentalist Kenneth Miller used his voice and creativity to help pollinators across the world when he participated in the Protect Our Pollinators poster challenge to celebrate National Pollinator Week.

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation’s Senior Paw Project coordinated and covered the cost of at-home veterinary care for five animals at Nunnawauk Meadows in November, with Valley Veterinary Hospital Veterinarian Emily Andersen and practice manager Kate Dickson aiding the animals.

And, of course, readers cannot forget Newtown resident Kathleen Cole’s pig party for Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin. The gathering was thrown to say thank you to everyone who has shown support for their family, and Ms Cole announced the two pigs were going to their forever home with former Newtown residents Oscar Janssen and Lynn Printy, founders of JP Farm Animal Sanctuary.

2019 may be coming to a close, but for animals like Little Beanie Tofu and Dolphin, a new chapter in their life stories are just beginning.