It is with heartfelt sadness that we share the passing of the Dumb Friends League’s dear friend and leading contributor to our work, Henry Roath. For more than 40 years, Henry provided unwavering support to the League, evolving our programs and services to meet the needs of the communities we serve so that generations of pets and horses could thrive. 

Henry’s gifts were instrumental in supporting the League’s first spay/neuter mobile vehicle (the Meow Mobile), providing access to necessary spay/neuter services in underserved communities. He also contributed to major renovations at our Leslie A. Malone Center Shelter Veterinary Hospital and Cat Pavilion, and facilitated the expansion of our services into rural Colorado through the funding of our San Luis Valley Animal Center in Alamosa.

“Henry Roath’s compassion for vulnerable animals inspired him to support our work in ways that changed animal welfare in Colorado,” said League President and CEO Dr. Apryl Steele. “Because of Henry’s support, countless animals have been healed, sheltered, and loved. We will miss his genuinely kind spirit, although he lives on through the animals we serve.”

Henry had a special place in his heart for dogs. When thanked, he always said, often with a smile, “I just want to see their tails wag.” The League’s reach would not be as far, our impact not nearly as great, without Henry. Every aspect of our work has been touched in some way by his generous spirit, and we share our deepest sympathies and gratitude with the Roath family. Today, tails are wagging everywhere because of Henry’s support and friendship.