Jean Roberts of Gwynn’s Island, has been appointed to serve as Mathews County’s new animal control officer.

She said she is excited about the job and welcomes visitors to her office in the county administration building on Brickbat Road. Not only that, but she has already set some goals for herself.

Helping residents understand how to co-exist with wild animals is important, said Roberts, and she has begun making appointments to address various community groups about ways to deal with coyotes, deer, raccoons and other creatures.

Pet care in emergency situations is important, as well, said Roberts, and she has developed a brochure to provide information and advice.

Roberts is also committed to bringing the feral cat population under control and helping reduce the number of unwanted animals in the county. To that end, she hopes to bring a free spay and neuter mobile clinic to the county twice a year.

This isn’t Roberts’s first stint in Mathews County A...