Coral Springs Police Humane Officer Karin Niemeyer {courtesy}
The Coral Springs Police Department’s Humane Unit saved the lives of nearly every animal that needed its help in 2023, placing them among an “elite” group of animal welfare organizations in the U.S.
Senior CSPD Humane Officer Monica Fedderwitz and officers Karin Niemeyer and Haylee Marken were recognized for their unit’s life-saving achievements at an Aug. 7 commission meeting, where commission members and the Best Friends Animal Society lauded their work.
The nonprofit animal society operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs across the country.
In 2023, 295 pets entered the Humane Unit’s shelter, and 294 of them were saved, according to Best Friends.
“This accomplishment represents so much more than just a statistic,” wrote Julie Castle, Chief Executive Officer of Best Friends, in a letter to CSPD Humane Unit Captain A.J. King. “It represents the tireless efforts of you and your dedicated staff, passionate volunteers, and steadfast supporters. It represents a culture of caring and compassion. It represents innovative, thoughtful programming. And it represents extraordinary leadership.”
Castle said the unit was part of an “elite group” of no-kill animal organizations in the U.S. and credited members with saving “cherished family members who are only alive because of your dedication and hard work.”
“Bottom line, every day you and your team create more and more opportunities for animals and people alike to experience love.”
The Humane Unit is tasked with enforcing animal-related laws, responding to calls including reports of stray and injured animals, caring for and feeding impounded animals, uniting lost pets with their owners, and finding homes for stray animals.
CSPD Chief Bradley McKeone said at the Aug. 7 meeting he didn’t think there was another unit in the department “that has the dedication, the compassion that you guys have.”
“You make a difference every single day,” McKeone said. “I see it. The community sees it.”
Niemeyer said the Humane Unit could not have saved so many animals without the support of its command staff, the city government, and help from patrol units, investigators, CSI units, residents, “and the endless efforts of our [rescue groups] that help us day in and day out to find homes for these animals that nobody wants.”
“The old saying with saving animals is it takes a village,” said Niemeyer. “Here, it takes a city.”
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