A Tireless And Effective Steward

For Animals

To the Editor:

The Animal Center, a Newtown-based nonprofit that has provided adoption, spay/neuter and other services to nearly 1,000 cats in the Newtown area since 2005, is profoundly disappointed at the news that Newtown officials dismissed Carolee Mason as its animal control officer last week. In our experience, Carolee has been a tireless and effective steward for the homeless dogs and cats who find their way to the pound.

The Animal Center is particularly appreciative of the efforts Carolee took to find a place for cats at the pound, and to work with various local rescue groups to help us save as many homeless animals in Newtown as possible. When kitten “season” arrived, as it inevitably does each summer, instead of saying “no” to people calling for help with abandoned kittens in town when the pound was full, Carolee networked with private rescue groups, like ours, so that no kitten in need was turned away. Her leadership was forward thinking and always focused on the overarching objective of saving animals.

Carolee viewed her role as animal control officer as not merely to “control” animals, but to help them. It is hard to believe that the town or its pound is well served by her summary dismissal. Carolee, Newtown’s citizens and its homeless animals all deserve better.

Monica Roberto President, The Animal Center

PO Box 475, Newtown                                                        April 6, 2009