“We took in two feral cats, treated and spayed them, and when we went to release them – as you have to do with feral cats – we found seven kittens,” said Donna Weinhofer, the animal control officer in Plainville. “We got the kittens what they needed and then brought them to a local rescue organization to be adopted. Soon all seven will have forever homes.”

This is a common occurrence for the Town of Plainville’s Animal Control, and thanks to a $1,000 grant from the Elizabeth I. and Louis J. Matt Animal Protection Fund at Main Street Community Foundation even more animals will be helped. The grant will be used to defray the cost of emergency medical care to save the animals so they can be adopted.

Plainville’s Animal Control often works with animal control officers in other towns to ensure every animal, no matter if it is a dog or a rooster, has adequate care and finds the right home.

The Elizabeth I. and Louis J. Matt Animal Protection Fund was established in 2006 with an IRA charitable rollover gift from Elizabeth “Betty” Matt. Distributions from the Fund provide care and support to animals in need in Connecticut. Both Betty and Louis had a life-long love of and fascination for animals with a special interest in their care and well being.