ARF longtime Board Member Polly Bruckmann recently died, but leaves a legacy of advocacy and dedication to animal welfare.
Polly joined ARF’s Board of Directors in 1996, and she served as ARF’s Board President from 2006 to 2010. As president, Polly spearheaded the Puppy Mill Rescue campaign, tirelessly working to rescue dogs from mid-west breeders. Also, during Polly’s tenure, she co-chaired the successful Securing Our Future campaign that raised $10 million for ARF, which at the time, was the largest capital campaign in ARF’s 36-year history, and moved the Thrift & Treasure Shop to its permanent home in Sagaponack. In 2014, Polly was honored with ARF’s Champion of Animals Award at the Bow Wow Meow Ball, along with other past presidents.
Polly was truly committed to the cause, she not only donated her time and money to ARF, but she also gave loving homes to countless ARF animals! Polly will be deeply missed, and we thank her for her unwavering support and love of animals over the years.
Photo: Polly with Misty, one of her many adopted ARF dogs over the years.
Ode To Polly Bruckmann
on her retirement as President of ARF Board by Zoe Kamitses, September 24, 2010
There lives a lady on Lily Pond Lane
Who travels the world, admiring big game
Her photographs dazzle all who behold
With an eye for nature unique and bold
When called on by ARF to lead them as President
She quickly said yes, not even hesitant
To take on the hard work of guiding our ship
Through calm seas and squalls, with never a slip
Now next to her, on Lily Pond Lane
Lived a cook by profession, Veronika by name
Who couldn’t resist feeding sweet little kittens
Who came hungrily by, without any mittens
So Veronika fed and she fed and she fed
And soon there were kittens all over her bed
Kittens in broom closets, and under the sofas
Kittens filled bathtubs and showered with loofas
Hanging from rooftops now twenty by count
And more by the seashore, starting to mount
So Veronika left, to Russia she flew
Leaving her brood now more than a few
How could this happen, this impossible folly
But not to lose hope, because next door was … Polly
Who came to the rescue, Roberto in hand
To trap and alter and return to her land
And Dede, her housekeeper, with bottles fed babies
While Polly made sure that none would have rabies
And now they all live under Polly’s kind wing
As we have all done, each living thing.
Under her leadership, Op Cat has flourished
The puppy mill rescues now safe and well-nourished
The therapy dogs spread joy through the land
And benefits thrive while others lend hands
So thank you sweet Polly, for your loving gift
Keeping our ARF ark from going adrift
We won’t say goodbye, you’re not going abroad
But let us take time to raise paws and applaud
