The interim director of an eastern Iowa animal shelter is hoping to bring stability to the organization, after two long-time co-directors were fired in August. Cathy Boyes was hired as the interim director of the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Linn County earlier this month. “I don’t know a lot of the past and I don’t want to,” Boyes told KCRG-TV. “My time is from this day forward.”
But, Boyes can’t completely ignore the past. The organization’s executive board’s decision to fire the co-directors sparked all kinds of rumors and accusations. “I try not to listen to the rumors. It doesn’t affect me,” Boyes said. “I strongly suggest people come here and see our animals and know that I’m speaking the truth.”
There is one rumor Boyes is rejecting. She says the shelter is not using euthanasia to make space for animals. The shelter currently has about 40 dogs and 115 cats. Boyes says the humane society leans on other rescue organizations to help adopt animals they can no longer house on site. The executive board plans to hire a permanent director for the Cedar Valley Humane Society within the next two weeks. Boyes says she’s interested in the job.
Contributed by Mark Geary, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids