FOUNDATIONAL MOTIVATION & COMMITMENT

Joanne Gerow’s lifelong commitment to animal welfare was shaped in 1987, when she responded to a call for volunteers in what would become one of the nation’s largest and most devastating animal cruelty cases. The case involved Justin McCarthy, an individual who claimed to provide sanctuary for unwanted animals and was heavily funded through public donations yet operated without oversight.

When authorities intervened, they discovered over 1,000 animals in varying stages of neglect, with many already deceased. The conditions were severe and deeply disturbing. This experience had a profound and lasting impact on Joanne and became the defining moment that set her on a lifelong path of advocacy, accountability, and systemic reform in animal welfare. It instilled in her a firm belief that compassion must be paired with oversight, structure, and professional standards to truly protect animals.

CAPITAL DEVELOPEMENT & COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

In 2018, Joanne Gerow initiated and led a collaboration with philanthropist Alan Gerry to design and develop a $1.5 million, state-of-the-art animal care facility for the Town of Liberty. The facility was completed and opened in March 2019 and was funded entirely through private support, at no expense to taxpayers.

This modern facility has become a cornerstone of animal welfare services in Sullivan County, significantly expanding the community’s capacity to provide safe shelter, medical care, and humane outcomes for animals in need. Since its opening, CARe, appointed as the lead operational agency, has successfully taken in and cared for upwards of 3,000 animals, reinforcing the organization’s role as a critical, reliable resource for municipalities, law enforcement, and residents.

The facility reflects Joanne’s ability to translate vision into sustainable infrastructure, leveraging donor partnerships to deliver long-term community impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP & IMPACT

Joanne Gerow is the Founder, President, and Director of Catskill Animal Rescue, Inc. (CARe), a nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Sullivan County, New York. Founded in her personal barn, CARe has grown under Joanne’s leadership into a critical countywide partner for municipalities, law enforcement, and emergency management agencies. Her vision, operational expertise, and unwavering commitment to animal welfare have positioned CARe as a trusted and indispensable community resource.

Joanne provides strategic oversight of all organizational operations, including shelter management, municipal contracts, emergency response, animal cruelty investigations, and community education.

EXPERTISE IN ANIMAL CRUELTY RESPONSE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Joanne is a New York State Certified Peace Officer with specialized training in Animal Cruelty Investigation. She currently serves as Dog Control Officer for the Towns of Liberty, Fallsburg, and Thompson, and as Rabies Control Officer for the Sullivan County Office of Emergency Management.

She established and manages a landmark contract between the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and CARe, under which CARe conducts all field operations, transportation, housing, and care for animals seized in cruelty and probation cases. Joanne has supervised every animal cruelty seizure under this agreement, including large-scale cases involving hundreds of animals. Her leadership in these operations is widely recognized for its legal compliance, operational precision, and compassionate care standards. She is regarded as the County’s foremost expert in animal cruelty seizure management.

EDUCATION, COLLABORATION & SYSTEMS BUILDING

Joanne is deeply committed to education and systems improvement. She has served on the Board of the Sullivan County SPCA and acts as a consultant to the BOCES Animal Husbandry Program, supporting curriculum development and youth education. She regularly conducts training and seminars for animal control professionals, shelter staff, and public officials, including recent instruction on New York State Agriculture & Markets Law, Article 26-C Shelter Standards (October 16,2025) and Introduction to Dog Control/Animal Law Enforcement (April 30,2025). Her presentations to the Sullivan County Legislature, Magistrates Association, and Board of Supervisors have strengthened interagency collaboration and improved countywide understanding of animal welfare laws and best practices.

Today, CARe holds contracts with 11 of the 15 municipalities in Sullivan County, ensuring consistent, cost-effective, and humane animal care services across the region. Joanne has built strong, collaborative partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, and regional rescue organizations and animal shelters—including Middletown Humane Society and the Sullivan County SPCA—guided by her belief that shared goals and coordinated collaboration strengthen outcomes and expand collective impact across the animal welfare community.

COMMUNITY NEED & EQUITY DRIVEN SERVICES

Sullivan County faces significant economic hardship, creating barriers to veterinary care, housing stability, and animal welfare resources. In response, Joanne continues to work toward expanding CARe’s services to address both animal and human needs, including:

● Emergency housing for animals belonging to evicted or homeless individuals

● Low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs

● Emergency veterinary care for animals in crisis

Her work reflects a holistic, community-centered approach that recognizes the connection between animal welfare, public health, and human stability.

RECOGNITION & CREDIBILITY

Joanne’s leadership and impact have been recognized at the local, state, and institutional Levels, including:

● Sullivan County Professional Businesswomen’s Association – Woman of the Year

● SUNY Sullivan Community College – Humanitarian of the Year

● New York State Humane Association – Award of Excellence

● Liberty Rotary Hummingbird Award

● Sullivan County Public Health Commendation for cost-saving rabies investigations

● Formal recognition from NYS Senators, the Governor of New York, and members of the State Assembly

● Sullivan County Legislature Distinguished Citizen Award

COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY & GROWTH

Joanne continues to work toward long-term sustainability through organizational excellence, procedural consistency, and collaboration among animal control officers, shelters, and community partners. Her leadership ensures that CARe remains fiscally responsible, operationally strong, and capable of expanding services to meet growing community needs.