Tricia Moyer-Mentzer, the former executive director of the Hillside SPCA, said she feels as if part of her “heart was ripped out” when the board of directors voted to fire her.

She learned of her termination June 15 when told at a regularly scheduled board meeting, although she had an inkling something was going to happen before.

She spoke at the meeting but declined to say what she said. Moyer-Mentzer had been with the shelter for 24 years, June 15, 1997, to June 15, 2021.

“I’ve always had the animals’ best interest at heart,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

The board voted at a special meeting June 8 to fire her. The vote was six for termination and two abstentions.

“They felt very strongly what they are doing is in the best interest of the organization,” board attorney James Bohorad said.

He declined to provide a reason for her departure. The position of executive director will be eliminated and the board will advertise for a shelter manager, he said. There will continue to be a dog manager and a cat manager at the shelter.

Moyer-Mentzer posted a message on Facebook on Friday announcing her last day.

She wrote of her love of the shelter, memories that she will treasure, and thanked people for their support.

Moyer-Mentzer said her goal is not to harm the shelter in any way.

“I don’t have any ill intent to the Hillside (SPCA),” she said.

By making the post public, Moyer-Mentzer said she was trying to get her job back.

A Change.org petition titled “Help us get Tricia Moyer-Mentzer back as a dog manager at the Hillside SPCA!” has 2,037 signatures as of 9:45 a.m. Sunday.

People have also posted comments on her Facebook page expressing their feelings.

She said the encouragement has been “overwhelming and amazing.”

“The public knows the good I have done over the past 24 years,” she said.

Despite the petition, Bohorad said, “at this point, the decision is final.”

Moyer-Mentzer said it is “disheartening” and “upsetting” to hear she will not go back to what her heart desires.

She will continue to share social media posts from the shelter and wants animals to get good, loving homes.

“I want people to still adopt animals,” she said.

As for what the future holds, she doesn’t know.

“At this point, I don’t have any plans to go anywhere,” she said.

Continuing to care for animals - her passion - is the only thing that is certain.

“My heart will always be at the Hillside SPCA,” she said.