Animal Advisory Committee

The Animal Advisory Committee was formed in fall 2014 to address new state animal laws (especially MGL 140 [2012]) and some findings by the Massachusetts Department of Animal Resources. The charge to the committee included reviewing how Rehoboth can best organize animal services, recommending policies for the shelter, recommending a feral cat policy, and recommending a specific scope of services for the ACO, Field Driver, and Animal Inspector roles and any specific policies or guidelines required. The Committee has five regular members and two alternates (the alternate appointments are presently vacant); the Animal Control Officer participates but does not vote.

Animal Advisory Committee dissolved after successfully accomplishing its original charges. The Selectmen took this action at the BOS meeting of December 9, 2019, following a recommendation voted in the Animal Advisory Committee meeting of November 26. A review of the charges given when the committee was formed shows very good success in accomplishing them all. Policies are in place, town bylaws have been updated, and the volunteer program is developing well. Operations have been systematized and the physical shelter improved, with a design developed for a new shelter if funding can be obtained to build one. Members can continue to assist in less formal ways, and the Selectmen have approved Animal Control Officer Rob Johnson’s appointment of Richard Panofsky as a volunteer at the shelter to continue to edit the webpage, help develop computer functions, and improve outreach and community education.

 

Members

NameTitle

Elizabeth Botelho

Member

Amy Hurd

Member

Richard J. Panofsky

Chairman

Nancy Scott-Puopolo

Member

Sarah Arrigo

Member

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