HARLINGEN — After more than 11 years, Pat Turman-White has resigned as president of the Harlingen Human Society, citing funding cuts leading to the halting of two programs aimed at saving stray animals’ lives.
Turman-White, who led this year’s drive to raise money to try to pull the organization out of what was described as a financial crisis, said the halting of the programs that trap stray animals and transport others to out-of-state shelters, will lead to higher euthanasia rates.
“I cannot watch what’s about to happen,” she said, referring to the programs she helped launch during the last two years.
Executive Director Kim Warunek said the agency’s new board of directors halted the programs as it searches for funding sources.
“We, as an entity, have to make decisions to keep the shelter open,” Warunek said.
Turman-White, who has served as the board’s president since 2006, said she is launching a new program named Kitties of the Valley, aimed at saving stray cats.
“We appreciate her years of hard work and service to the Humane Society,” Warunek said. “She has voluntarily resigned from our board of directors and we wish her well in her future endeavors.”
