COEUR d'ALENE -The executive director of the Kootenai Humane Society was let go Friday by the KHS board of directors.

Dori Peck, hired in April, was surprised by the move. She said she was told by the board, "it wasn't working out."

"I guess I didn't do what they wanted," she said.

Colette Bergham, KHS veterinarian hired in October, was also fired Friday.

Bergham was disappointed as well.

"I think we do good work out there," she said.

KHS board president Andy Smith could not be reached for comment.

Peck said she believed things were going well at the no-kill shelter. December donations totaled $85,000, a record, and last month's Riding for Rover at Peak Health and Wellness in Post Falls brought in $6,300. Adoption numbers were strong, too, with more than 1,000 dogs and cats going to new homes last year.

But Peck said she received a phone call Thursday asking her to meet with the board Friday morning.

Her dismissal was unexpected.

"I'm very disappointed," she said.

Pete Chichester, KHS marketing director, resigned last week when he was hired by a Coeur d'Alene company. Peck said then the board had decided not to replace Chichester.

Peck was the third KHS director in three years.

She was hired to replace Rondi Renaldo, who was let go in March last year after nearly two years on the job.

Renaldo was hired in April 2010 to replace Phil Morgan, when he was removed as KHS executive director.

Peck said she enjoyed her role at KHS, and called it a good experience. She loved the KHS staff, the volunteers and the animals. She praised the community for its support, too, but said the board "needs a new direction."

"It's too bad," she said.

Bergham shared similar thoughts.

"It's been a frustrating situation with this board," she said.

Bergham said it was a mistake to fire Peck.

"Dori is probably the best executive director they've ever had," she said.

Peck said she hopes people continue to support KHS, because the dogs and cats there deserve it.

She isn't sure of her next step. She quit her job as development outreach director at the Spokane Humane Society, which she held for 4 1/2 years, to take the post at KHS.

"The animals are my calling," she said. "I'll do something with that."

Peck said she was not consulted when Debbie Jeffrey, longtime KHS treasurer, was brought on as director of operations in January. When that happened, Peck turned her focus to fundraising and recruiting volunteers.

Peck told The Press in November that money was tight at KHS. Funds from grants, donations, fundraisers, thrift store sales and adoption fees - less than $1 million a year - weren't keeping up with costs to care for more than a thousand dogs and cats each year.

She expressed concerns then that there could be cutbacks if more money didn't come in.

Peck said her salary was $65,000 when she was hired. The board reduced it to $55,000 in January. Chichester also earned $65,000, and his pay was cut to $55,000, as well.

She called the KHS staff of 11 - four administration, two front desk, five dog and cat technicians - bare bones.

KHS began a campaign last year to better explain its no-kill policy to the public, increase the number of board members and encourage folks to visit.

No new board members were added.