Susan McNelis, a Senior Technical Project Manager here at Zuri Group, started volunteering with the Bend Spay & Neuter Project when she moved to Bend in 2006.
A lifelong animal lover, Susan was concerned about the high incidence of feral cat colonies in Bend, and wanted to do something to help. Initially, she helped with low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics, and manned Bend SNIP tables at festivals around Central Oregon- but found that what she enjoyed most was participating in Bend SNIP’s Trap/Neuter/Return Program, which focuses on reducing feral cat colonies.
“Feral cats spring from unaltered domestic pets and have to scrap out a living outdoors as wild animals; it’s a hard life out there- so reducing the colony humanely is very important”, Susan says. “Look at this adorable graphic with horrific statistics- the data doesn’t lie!”
“Trapping the cats, bringing them to Bend SNIP to get fixed, and returning them to their colonies where they can no longer procreate, ensures that these animals are allowed to live out the rest of their lives without perpetuating the problem by procreating.”
In May 2018, Susan was appointed to the Bend Spay & Neuter Project’s Board of Directors.
“I’m thrilled to take my years of professional knowledge in the technology sector to help Bend Spay & Neuter Project in ways I was not able to as a volunteer. Working with Zuri Group has given me an opportunity to work with non-profits on a regular basis allowing me to indirectly make a difference. I’ll be able to use this experience to help make a direct difference in our community by helping animals!”