In Memoriam: Zoe Kamitses

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and longtime ARF Board member, Zoe Kamitses.

For decades, Zoe dedicated her life to making the world a better place for animals and the people who love them. Her compassion, determination, and unwavering commitment to animal welfare helped shape countless lives across the East End.

As the founder of ARF's Operation Cat program and the Southampton Dog Park, Zoe created lasting programs that continue to improve the lives of animals every single day. Through her tireless advocacy, she helped stabilize feral cat colonies, champion responsible pet care, and create safe spaces for dogs and their families to enjoy.

Many knew Zoe through her beloved therapy dog, Charlie Dickens, an ARF rescue who brought comfort and joy to patients at Southampton Hospital and children at Camp Good Grief. Others knew her as the dedicated foster who opened her home and heart to hundreds of kittens over the years. While she loved them all, Sticky, who was featured at ARF's Bow Wow Meow Ball in 2023, held a particularly special place in her heart.

Most recently, there was Zeke. When few believed he would ever find a home, Zoe did. She welcomed him into her life and worked with patience, consistency, and unwavering dedication to help him succeed. Alongside her partner Susan, she saw the dog he could become and gave him the chance he deserved. Today, Zeke has been happily home for more than a year and a half because Zoe and Susan believed in him when it mattered most.

Zoe’s passion, honesty, and ability to make things happen left an indelible mark on our organization and our community. We are deeply grateful for the many years Zoe devoted to ARF and for the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind. Her impact can be seen in every animal she helped rescue, every life she touched, and every person she inspired to do more for animals in need.

Zoe will be greatly missed, but her spirit lives on through the programs she built, the animals she saved, and the community she helped create.

Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all those whose lives were blessed by knowing her. Zoe's legacy will forever be a part of ARF's story.

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