We’re cat lovers and allies.
Neighborhood Cats Network is a passionate, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to transform the lives of homeless community cats across Western New York, with a focus on Monroe, Wayne, and Ontario Counties. Through our lifesaving TNVRM (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return-Manage) program, we compassionately reduce stray cat populations by preventing reproduction, while supporting and managing cat colonies with care and strong community partnerships.
Our comprehensive Cat Cabin Program provides insulated winter shelters and secure feeding stations; the Food Pantry Program, supports dedicated caregivers with vital food resources; TNVRM in Action, delivers essential spay/neuter and veterinary services; and our Education Initiative, empowers the public and caregivers with the knowledge to care for community cats responsibly.
From building cabins to fostering community collaboration, we’re not just helping cats, we’re leading a compassionate revolution in their care. We believe every cat deserves to be healthy, warm, and loved—even in the harshest winters—and every community has the power to be part of the solution.
Board of Directors
Marlies Sullivan
President
Marlies Sullivan is the Executive Director of Leadership Initiatives at the University of Rochester, with a focus on professional fundraising. Since 1990, she has been passionately involved in animal rescue, beginning as a volunteer at the Bridgeport Animal Shelter in Connecticut. She later served as the town-appointed chair of the Oxford Animal Shelter in Oxford, CT, where she led the Dog Days of Oxford Event, a major tri-state fundraiser dedicated to helping homeless cats and dogs and rebuilding the shelter (2000-2011). From 2018 to 2023, Marlies served as Vice-President and Director of Fundraising at Pet Pride of NY, a no-kill cat sanctuary in Victor, NY. During her tenure, she successfully raised over $1.2 million and managed an expansion project that tripled the sanctuary's capacity, resulting in a dramatic increase in cat adoptions from 125 in 2018 to 850 in 2023. In addition to having five cats and two dogs of their own, Marlies and her husband Chris manage eight cat colonies in Victor, NY. Over the past seven years, they have constructed and donated over 150 insulated wooden cat houses to various cat rescue organizations and colony managers. They have extended their impact by conducting Zoom training sessions on building insulated cat houses for out-of-state rescues and training local rescues to build emergency shelters.
Mary Delton
Secretary
Mary Delton got her first cat when she started her academic career at Mount Holyoke College because she thought it would be nice to have "someone" to come home to. That was cat #1. While at MHC, Mary adopted a stray, Jellybean, Cat # 2. After marrying Bob Boeckman, and moving to Oakland U in Michigan, Mary would bring Cat #2 into the lab on weekends. Cat #3 was an abandoned cat that wandered the college campus and eventually into Mary's office where he ate some of the cat food that she kept for the weekend. He then went to sleep under her desk. A quick phone call to Bob and that cat came home. After moving to Rochester, NY; Bob and Mary continued to accrue cats. Some were adopted from shelters, and some were strays that found their horse barn. Many of those strays started out as barn cats but became beloved house cats. The number of cats that have been in the family since 1971 now totals 43. Bob has passed but Mary still has 5 loving felines ages 11 - 21 (all of whom were initially strays). Mary finished her career at Kodak where she did research in the Biosciences, Color Negative, and Color Paper divisions. While Bob was the President of Pet Pride of NY Inc, Mary designed and maintained their website.
Susan Wade
Vice-President
Susan Wade holds a business degree from St. John Fisher University and was at the helm of Wade’s Market, her family’s beloved local grocery store in Farmington, NY for 42 years.
Beyond her professional achievements, Susan is deeply committed to community service. She volunteered at Equicenter in Mendon, NY, and Bivona Children’s Center, where she had a significant role on the Events Planning Board during the organization’s multi-million-dollar expansion.
At home, Susan enjoys the company of her two cats, Archie and Gracie.
Diane DiGravio
Director of TNR Operations and Community Engagement
Diane DiGravio brings more than 40 years of experience in animal rescue, science education, and nonprofit leadership to the Neighborhood Cats Network Board. She earned her B.S. in Zoology from Oswego State University and pursued graduate studies in Immunology at New York Medical College. Diane began her career as a Research Scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, where she spent 11 years before transitioning to education. Over the next two decades, she taught science at both the high school and college levels, earning multiple honors, including two nominations for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Alongside her career in education, Diane has held leadership roles in animal welfare organizations, helping to launch the first high-volume spay/neuter program in the region. Recognized as one of Greater Rochester’s most experienced cat rescuers, she has dedicated over four decades to advancing humane practices and supporting community-based rescue initiatives. Diane’s contributions have been honored nationally, including being named a Democrat and Chronicle "Woman to Watch," receiving PETA’s TeachKind Award, and delivering a TEDx Talk titled “A Pebble in the Ocean.” She is also Co-Owner of Eco Outreach International, an organization offering educational programs in Central America. Today, Diane continues her commitment to animal welfare through her role on the Neighborhood Cats Network Board. She is proud to combine her passion for science, education, and advocacy in service to animals and communities. Outside of her professional work, she treasures time with her husband and two sons, whose support has been the foundation of her journey.
Jean Bidlack
Treasurer
Dr. Jean Bidlack is Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry. Her biomedical research focuses on medications development for treating drug abuse. Jean has held leadership roles in non-profit scientific societies. In 2004-2005, Jean was President of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology, Inc. From 2004 to 2012, she was Treasurer of the International Narcotics Research Conference, Inc. Jean is a lifetime cat owner and treasures helping all cats. She is a former Treasurer at Pet Pride of New York, Inc. Jean and her husband, Carl, are proud parents of Tux, a brilliant and friendly tuxedo cat.
