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This letter is to honor Leland Gordon for the many sacrifices and contributions he made to our community and to our animal friends as the executive director of Animal Friends Humane Society. It was with great sadness that I heard he is moving to Canada and will no longer be with us. What a huge loss his departure will be. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Filling Leland's shoes will be a daunting task.

Leland served under the most adverse and depressing of circumstances and tirelessly met the challenges head-on. His unparalleled commitment and concern have brought innovative and radically positive change during his time here. Leland achieved in four years what others couldn't in a lifetime. His passion, zeal and convictions not only greatly increased public awareness and conscience for the plight of animals, but he also created numerous programs and alliances which connected our community directly with the animals in need of adoption, such as the Pet Mobile, animals featured on public access cable and much more. He also sensitized our community to adopt pets from the shelters to save an animal's life, rather than patronizing pet shops that perpetuate inhumane puppy mills.

Leland's zeal and vision was such that he touched everyone he came in contact with to not only care but actually do something about neglected and abused animals. Leland mobilized the masses for their cause, so much so that a new and much-needed animal shelter is now being built due to his ability not just to articulate but inspire change. He was able to get others to catch the vision and, thankfully, we have caring voters, grass-roots organizers and community leaders in place who were listening. The new shelter will be a reality soon ...

I humbly ask the leaders in Butler County who may be reading this to name the largest wing — if not the entire facility — after Leland Gordon, as a token of our appreciation for his tireless efforts and service to those with no voice — our animal friends.

Mildred Roberts

Middletown