MONTICELLO - Diana McPheeters is no stranger to caring for large numbers of animals.

She has transformed her home near downtown Monticello, which now contains about 40 cats, into a feline foster home/adoption agency.

"Mostly they are kittens from wild or stray cats," said McPheeters, who has been taking in cats for the past three years. "We raise them, fix (spay or neuter) them, vaccinate them and find them homes."

About a year ago, McPheeters and Kim Spark, a veterinary technician, decided to join forces to build an animal shelter to serve Piatt County.

"We have been needing a shelter in town for a long time," McPheeters said.

She believes it will require much support from the community to build and sustain the project. A meeting at the Mid-Piatt Fire Station in White Heath last week attracted 15 people, many of whom signed on to help raise funds and volunteer.

At the meeting, McPheeters said it is unlikely the shelter will be "no-kill." Some animals that are suffering or dangerous probably will have to be euthanized.

McPheeters, who also operates a wildlife rehabilitation center, Wild 4 Life, has filed for nonprofit status for her center. She estimates it will take about $150,000 to begin operating the shelter.

The leaders of the proposed shelter have received much advice and support from Dr. Kay Lindsay, a veterinarian who treats many strays and abandoned pets at her business, Animal Hospital of Monticello. The animal hospital has contracts to care for domestic animals picked up in Monticello and unincorporated areas of the county.

But there are many abandoned dogs and cats in other Piatt County towns. Many have been taken to shelters in neighboring counties.

"The shelters in Champaign County and Macon County are not really that happy about accepting Piatt County animals," Lindsay said. "They have more than they can handle on their own."

Huey Freeman can be reached at hfreeman@herald-review.com or 421-6985.