THOMASTON — The Pope Memorial Humane Society announce that P.J. Walter and Melody Wolfertz have been elected to its Board of Directors. 

“We are excited to have P.J. and Melody join our Board,” said Tracy Sala, PMHS executive director, in a news release. “Their combined experience, knowledge, as well as their strong commitment to giving back to our community will help lead the shelter in furthering its mission to help homeless animals.  I look forward to working with them and to the many ways their expertise and enthusiasm will contribute to the Shelter’s success as we move forward.”

Melody Wolfertz: Rockland native, CIA graduate, and long-time pet mom, Melody Wolfertz has been in the foodservice industry since she was 16. After stints in Aspen, D.C., and Dallas she returned to her home town of Rockland in 2000. While managing and co-owning the Wine Seller, a Rockland staple, she saw the need for a place where people could go to drink good wine in a relaxed environment. In Good Company opened in July of 2004, inspired by this wish.

With great vision and a lot of help from local artisans, Wolfertz renovated a former bank, an Italianate landmark and part of the Custom House Block. When she is not busy in the kitchen or herding cats, she loves being in her garden, playing with her Uncle Henry's Labradoodle, Annabell, and her intrepid cat, Oliver.

P.J. Walter: An amateur photographer from NJ, PJ Walter and his husband, Frank, moved to Maine in 2004 to own and operate LimeRock Inn in Rockland. During that time, he was actively involved in promoting tourism in Maine as well as serving on several community and civic organizations including the Friends of Rockland Public Library, Rockland's Personnel Advisory Board and Parking Committee. 

Working with Historic Inns of Rockland, he is co-organizer of AIO Food Pantry's largest single fundraiser, Pies on Parade. In 2018, fate brought him to Pope Memorial as volunteer photographer for new pets at the shelter.  Walter now serves as Inventory and Technology Manager for Loyal Biscuit Co.

The Pope Memorial Humane Society was founded in 1989 to provide care, protection, and loving homes for abandoned and homeless companion animals in the Midcoast Maine area. The Society operates an animal shelter located at 25 Buttermilk Lane, in Thomaston, that is open Monday through Saturday, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Closed Sundays). 

PMHS provides animal support services to the following communities: Rockland, Thomaston, Warren, Owls Head, St. George, Port Clyde, Martinsville and Tenants Harbor; So. Thomaston, Spruce Head, Union, Cushing, Matinicus, North Haven, Vinalhaven, Stockton Springs, Morrill and Friendship. 

To learn more visit www.popehumane.org