Volunteer Diane Harris recounts decades of feral‑cat work and funding strain at final board meeting

At her final Animal Control Advisory Board meeting May 6, Diane Harris recounted the history and financial strain of Feral Cat Rescue and urged the county to maintain support for trap‑neuter‑return services.

Harris said she founded or helped run what she called Feral Cat Rescue in 2007 and that local euthanasia rates at the then‑Tri County Shelter were far higher at the time. "Tri County Shelter, which serviced 3 counties, was euthanizing 550 cats a month," she said, describing a long‑term reduction in euthanasia rates to about 60 a month by 2020.

Harris detailed the group's recent service and finances: "Last year we vetted 1,280 cats and about 910 were feral cats, and we spent $180,000 in our budget... we went $32,000 in the hole last year... $150,000 of that was on actual surgeries," she said. Harris said the rescue covered many animal control vetting needs and that she hopes the county will sustain those services once she steps down.

Board members thanked Harris for her work. Chair Doug Islip praised her fundraising and volunteer efforts and encouraged her to reapply for a board seat next year. Rebecca Ironmonger and others highlighted the shelter's recent progress and community foster response.

Harris said she is getting older and needs to scale back but emphasized the risk if no organization continues the work: without consistent feral‑cat initiatives, she warned, shelter intake could increase substantially. The board recorded appreciation and discussed next steps for securing the full‑time veterinarian position through the county budget.

Rebecca Ironmonger closed by announcing a public rabies clinic at the Fairgrounds the following Monday from 6–8 p.m.; no appointment is needed.