Kathleen McA'Nulty Obituary
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Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home - Westerly website to view the full obituary.
Charlestown, RI's beloved Animal Control Officer, Kathy McA'Nulty died peacefully at home surrounded by friends and family on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 62 years old.
Kathy grew up in Maynard, MA, one of four children of Daniel and Donna McA'Nulty. With the help of her sister, Susan, Kathy mounted a concerted campaign to adopt her first dog, Bingo, who launched her life-long passion for animals. During her high school years, she volunteered at Buddy Dog Humane Society. After graduating from Becker College in Worcester, MA, with a degree in Animal Care, she went to work at a local RI kennel and began to develop her expertise for handling animals of all kinds. It wasn't long before she found the community and position that would become her happy place for the next 36 years as the Animal Control Officer for Charlestown, RI.
Kathy's unwavering compassion and tireless care for animals made an immeasurable impact on all the animals and people she worked with. Alongside dogs and cats, she embraced horses, rabbits, chickens, pigs, goats, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, and even pet rats. In more than three decades, she improved the lives of thousands of animals and always sought to bring people and animals together in the most healing and meaningful ways.
Beyond her work for the Town, every aspect of her life involved animals. From dog sledding to horseback riding, to her own constantly evolving family farm, Kathy's heart and soul were dedicated to animals. Her other great love was music, and she followed her favorite band, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, in concerts throughout New England. Kathy loved her life, and she will be forever celebrated and missed by her many friends and all the caring people she touched.
She is survived by her sister, Susan Racine, her nephews Jeffrey and Matthew Racine, and her two nieces Sabrina and Regina McA'Nulty.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Friends of the Charlestown Animal Shelter, 50 Sand Hill Road, Charlestown, RI 02813.
For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com