MONTICELLO, NY — Joanne Gerow, who owns a horse farm in Swan Lake and is also the dog control officer for the Town of Liberty, was honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award on January 23.

Gerow launched the non-profit Catskill Animal Rescue with Eugene Scheiman and Laurie Dutcher in 2014, which works to adopt out animals in need of homes.

Alan Gerry created a state-of-the-art kennel in Liberty for Gerow’s organization to use. As explained in a Sullivan County press release, “First, Gerry donated five acres of property along Old Monticello Road in Ferndale. Then, he built a 4,000-square-foot shelter complete with 24 runs, a cat room, a kitchen and laundry, a reception area, a meet-and-greet space, an office, an exam room, a grooming room, a security system, three televisions and even a stereo system to play soothing music for those housed within.”

The facility, which is also used as a training facility for volunteers from Sullivan/Orange ARC and students from Sullivan West Central School District, is owned by the Town of Liberty, which lets Gerow and her nonprofit use it for free in exchange for their services.

At the ceremony, legislator Luis Alvarez said, “I have known Joanne for many years and can personally attest to her tireless compassion for all God’s creatures. Without her, hundreds upon hundreds of animals would have suffered needlessly. The gift she has given this county is beyond measure.”