Woman wants to help in rescue shelter effort

A Delano woman who recently moved back to the area from Idaho is offering support for Dorothy Harris’ efforts to establish an animal rescue operation in Grand Coulee.

Doreen Holter has been following Harris’ efforts with the city on an animal rescue plan and stated Friday, “It’s sorely needed.”

She said she has been trying to figure out what to do about a number of feral cats, many of which have their eyes “caked” over, from her own area in Delano.

“We have 20-30 cats, many with kittens, running wild here, and something needs to be done about it,” Holter stated.

She has never met Harris, but wants to help her. The two did talk over the weekend, and hope to get together soon to share ideas on the “rescue” plan.

“I have a little dog I rescued from a puppy mill,” Holter said. She recently returned to the coulee area after being away seven years.

“People need to be more considerate of animals,” Holter stated.

Harris has tried to convince the city that she is performing a service that is badly needed here.

She will have an opportunity again Aug. 9, when she attends the Grand Coulee planning commission meeting.

She has offered to work with the city on wording in a city ordinance that would allow a “rescue” operation at her home site on Young Street. But so far she hasn’t had much encouragement from the city.

She and her sister-in-law, Dee Harris, have worked together to rescue approximately 400 dogs and 600 cats over the past several years, getting the animals healthy enough to find homes for them.

“There is a real need here, and the city isn’t providing it,” Harris stated. “I have done so at my own expense.”