Ask and ye shall receive. A sympathetic member of the public has gifted me with copies of the Hermitage Cat Shelter By-Laws, current as of the first of this year. There are seven articles, and the document is in a pdf file. Since the board appears to have a genetic predisposition against full disclosure, I am publishing it here as a public service. I remind you that the by-laws of tax exempt nonprofits are mandated as being open to the public under IRS regulations, this is not a violation of anyone's privacy. The document is several pages, so download, start printing, go select your favorite cool monsoon beverage, and then come back and read along with me.

Hermitage Cat Shelter By-Laws

Article I, Section 4 states "The Board shall be composed of no fewer than five (5), nor more than fifteen (15) members..."There are currently five Board Members, so that leaves room for 10 more people. Article 1, Section 3 states "Persons wishing to be considered for nomination as member of the Board of Directors will be asked to submit an application to a member of the Board of Directors in writing and satisfactorily comply with all application requirements currently in effect prior to being accepted as a board member."All three new applicants for the 10 vacant positions this spring were rejected. Tom Tulowitzki, Board President, has specifically stated that they are looking for new Board members who have never been associated with the shelter, and they are unwilling to take volunteers, sponsors, and former staff for that reason. While I can understand not wanting staff on the board due to potential conflict of interest, I find the exclusion of current volunteers and sponsors from consideration for board positions simply astounding.

I find Article IV, Section 5 particularly interesting. The last sentence states "Trainees shall not be entrusted with the unsupervised operation of the shelter". Since no member of the current staff has been there a full month, it would seem that this by-law is being violated pretty regularly. Since there was no Cat Care Manager (head vet tech) for most of June, it would seem that the vet tech staff was totally unsupervised for several weeks this month. But then, the board considers Mary Jo Spring's fundraising background to be sufficient to qualify her as the point of first contact for euthanasia decisions, so perhaps they also consider that enough to supervise a brand-new vet tech staff unable to identify the individual animals they are treating.

Mary Jo Spring started out by telling people that the problems at the shelter were due to personnel problems with a few staff who didn't want to adopt out cats. When the shelter went through a 100% staff turnover last month, that explanation lost a lot of its plausability. When problems continued, they were now blamed on malicious gossips, and volunteers and sponsors started being banned. Next, current and former volunteers and staff were blocked from adoptions. Then all adoptions were placed on hold last week. I published here the email from Rosalie saying that all the cats needed a complete check by the vet. My question is: what is going on at the shelter that made it necessary for 270 cats to all suddenly need to get a vet check? If 270 cats get a 10-minute check, without any breaks, that's 45 solid hours of work for one vet. That does not count all the time involved in catching the cat, and the staff is not able to identify all the cats, so presumably that would take additional time. And even with a huge, huge discount, if the vet charged only $15 per cat, that would be a bill in over $4,000. And the vet must have worked nonstop, because suddenly cats were available to the general public again mid-week (although not to volunteers, sponsors, or former staff). So if the shelter did something as drastic as halting all adoptions in order to have all cats examined by a veterinarian, it must have had a very good, very serious reason, because Rosalie would not be intentionally untruthful.

I undertand there have been a number of hasty cosmetic changes at the shelter over the past three days. Again, I'm sure these have nothing to do with a sudden burst of contacts from sponsors and donors, or phone call from a reporter. The serious, basic problems are still unaddressed, and visitors can get a glimpse of why so many are concerned by asking the these simple questions:

"Since the cats are free-roaming, and none of the vet techs or cleaners currently on staff know all the cats, how are the cats that require medications being identified?"

"Is it true that volunteers are having their names checked against a list in order to enter the shelter? Why?"

"Why have adoptions to current and former volunteers and staff been halted?"

"The shelter has a half-million dollar yearly budget, but its tax returns are not audited. Why?"

"There used to be a public euthanasia board listing the date and medical reason for cats being euthanized in the previous month. I don't see that anywhere any more. Can you show me where that is? How many cats were euthanized in June, and why?"

And if you would really like to see what's happening, ask this:

"I contribute money to the shelter. May I have a copy of the shelter's 2007 Form 990, Form 1023 and By-laws, as permitted under IRS regulations?"

The excuses for not admitting volunteers to the shelter are becoming more and more inventive. I am publishing below, with permission, an exerpt from an email that Lori Milner sent to me. Due to work commitments, Lori had not been a frequent volunteer this spring, and did not know anything about the recent problems at the shelter when she arrived for her shift. She sent me this email before a group unhappy with the situation sent out a recent mailing to sponsors. I have not edited anything within this letter, just clipped off some personal comments at the top and bottom.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When I turned up last weekend to volunteer there were hardly any cars in the parking lot but that's not unusual for summer months because it's so hot people don't come out to the shelter that often. When I got to the door there was a girl sitting on the patio, and the screen door was locked and the inside door shut (again, not unusual because of the heat, although when someone's on the patio the screen door is normally unlocked). The girl said she wasn't allowed in because she wasn't on the "approved volunteer list" and that someone had told her Rosalie would come out to talk to her. I don't know how long she sat there before I arrived. I rang the buzzer three times and no one answered the door although I could hear voices coming from inside. The other girl said people were in the front office and suggested I go to the window there and talk to them. I went over and Rosalie was there having a conversation with a few people. I interrupted them and said that I had come for my shift but couldn't get in. A girl sitting by the window said "The shelter's closed because some of the cats are having heat stress. We're putting ice in their water dishes." She finally got Rosalie's attention and Rosalie told me the same thing and that they weren't letting anyone in. "But, we'll call you" she said, not looking directly at me. I wondered if she even knew my name, but the other girl's reference to the "approved volunteer list" and the eerie silence left me thinking something was very wrong indeed but that I wasn't going to get anywhere debating with Rosalie, so the other girl and I left. Truth be told, it felt very hostile. I needed time to think it through and later that evening I found the Yahoo site was still operational so I posted on it. I received an email from Rosalie the following day which I responded to. She never answered

About 3 weeks ago, I introduced you to Dexter, the Dead Special Needs Cat. Dexter died in December, but the shelter continued to list him on the website and solicit funds for his special care. Visitors were told he was back in the medical isolation area receiving special treatment. Today, Dexter was finally removed from the website. Unfortunately for the shelter's financial transparency, Louie, the other special needs cat who died around Christmas, remains on the website, and the shelter continues to ask for help with her care (yes, Louie was a female). No one on the current staff knows the identities of all the cats in the shelter, so unless someone from the outside like me identifies cats for them, it's all random. The only reason they knew to remove Dexter is because I pointed out on the blog he was dead. Note that the description says Louie receives daily thyroid medication. Since they can't identify the cats, and apparently think Louie is alive and kicking, I have to wonder if some other cat is now getting her medicine.

Here's what they have about her on the website:

Louie is a domestic short hair, spayed female, gray kitty, born 1995. She came to the shelter 12-06 when her guardian passed away. Louie is a very friendly girl who gets along with other cats and loves attention from people. After coming to us, Louie was diagnosed with a thyroid condition so she is now on daily medication.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes them to remove her photo now that this has been pointed out. Here's the link:
http://www.hermitagecatshelter.org Click on the photo on the right that shows Sadie Mae, the adoptable special needs cat. Louie is the third from the bottom.

When volunteers Kathrina Albig and Stretch Frances arrived at the shelter today, they were both told that they had been banned. Kathrina had been a volunteer for 11 years. Stretch had also been a donor.

The Hermitage Board has its monthly meeting this evening, 6 PM at the Ward 6 Council offices. Last week, they rejected a formal request made through an attorney for an opportunity for the attorney and myself to address the board at this meeting; they rejected a request for an informal meeting between the attorney and a board member; and they rejected an request for mediation, to be facilitated by a national animal rescue group not involved in the current situation, who has agreed to help. The board made it crystal clear that they wished to have no communication in any way, shape or form with those unhappy with the current situation.

The Hermitage has an odd organizational structure. The old board appoints the new board. There are no memberships or shareholders. There is no general vote on the leadership. The volunteers, sponsors, donors and staff have no vote or say in what goes on. So far, those who disagree have been speaking out, writing letters and making phone calls. They were then fired, banned, forced to resign, received imperious letters or were ignored. Now it is time to vote with our feet and our dollars. At 6 PM this evening, I recommend people start changing their wills, canceling their sponsorships and directing their donations elsewhere.

Anna Yoshino, Hermitage Cat Shelter accountant, has resigned from the shelter. Anna always did a great job caring for the employee's payroll and other needs, and her work was on time, and without error. Anna is a soft spoken, gentle young woman who always had time for a head pat for her favorite resident cat, Stuart. I am sure all former and present volunteers and employees wish her well.

For some reason, there appears to be an immediate need for cat shelter cleaners. I wonder if that could be because they fired or forced out their entire cleaning staff within the past month, fired several of their replacements, and banned a substantial portion of the volunteers?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Calling All Cat Lovers! (Tucson, Arizona )
Reply to: r_tors@hotmail.com
Date: 2008-06-23, 8:43AM MST

Shelter Assistant, part time, cleaning, feeding cats and other duties as assigned. Start immediately!

* Location: Tucson, Arizona
* Compensation: Minimum Wage
* This is at a non-profit organization.
* Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
* Please, no phone calls about this job!
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

PostingID: 729544255
http://tucson.craigslist.org/npo/729544255.html

I am publishing, with her permission, the following email from Cholla Eaton, former Cat Car Manager at the Hermitage. Choll replaced Paula Smith, who had been associated with the shelter for 20 years.

I am the former replacement Cat Care Manager. After 2 days of working at the Hermitage I resigned due to a miss understanding on my salary. I have been working with animals professionally for the past 14 years, I am also a certified vet tech. I have worked for 5 non-profit animal shelters in the past including the SPCA and Humane society, both outside of Arizona. I was hired because I believe the last place a healthy animal should be is in a shelter of any kind. The love and individual attention received in a home environment is best. I was told by Mary Jo and Rosalie that they were having issues with the staff not "allowing" them to adopt out cats by making up medical conditions at the last moment that would prevent them from going to a "normal" home. This was the reason they gave me for letting people go. A hording mentality is of course unhealthy so I came on determined to help find the cats great homes.

After only 2 days of working there I established that there were 80 cats that needed medication daily and I believe 12 cats that needed their bladders expressed at least twice daily. Having incompetent workers could easily lead to the death of the 12 mentioned cats, due to bladder rupture, kidney failure or cardiac arrest with in 48 hours of neglect. This is something the board should know and be aware of! At the time of my employment June 2nd and 3rd there was only one employee left who knew the cats well enough to not only identify them but also to touch them, just being able to identify them is not enough!!! Some of these animals are incredibly shy and had grown accustomed to the employees who had been there for years. With all of my training I still believe it would have taken me at least 3 months to be able to identify and handle the cats that needed daily treatment. I stressed my concerns to Mary Jo and Rosalie but they do not have the training necessary to fully understand the severity of the issue and seemed mildly concerned that I felt incredibly uncomfortable working with out the last trained employee left. Who of course could not be asked to work every day.

My personal opinion is that the managers of any shelter should not only have hands on experience with working with animals but also at a minimum be vet techs. Mary Jo and Rosalie would be much better suited on the board of directors where their admitted lack of medical knowledge would not directly affect the care if the animals. They let go to many people and refuse to take responsibility of their actions due to ignorance. If you confront them with the smallest suggestion of having a employee meeting to answer the many questions from the public and employees they treat you as if you are part of some conspiracy against them. This is probably the poorest managed shelter I've ever encountered and the management is to blame for an extremely hostile work environment and the lack of faith the community has in it. Talk happens!!!! Who do they think they are kidding? Has anyone ever worked anywhere where everyone loved the management?!

This could all be resolved so easily. Everyone including Mary Jo and Rosalie love the cats and only want the best for them. My suggestion is to bring in a professional mediator and open the lines of communication between everyone involved. Or soon the cats will I'm afraid be the biggest losers here. I have suggested the mediator idea to Mary Joe through email, but honestly I have moved on and found other full time employment which is just as rewarding, with out the drama. If communication is refused by more poor management decisions I would suggest the involved parties contacting the media. Everyone loves to support a good cause.
Cholla

If you are a former or current Hermitage sponsor, donor, volunteer or staff member who:

--would like to have a letter considered for publication on my blog
--has information, photos, video or tapes on the cat's well-being that concerns you
--has copies of the financial or organizational documents that the shelter is refusing to provide, but are public domain under IRS regulations (Form 1023, By-laws, etc.)

then please contact me at TopDog@AnimalHomeBuddies.com.

I remember the "old vision" where there were regularly scheduled big group meetings where everyone, volunteers, sponsors, donors, staff, administration, board members, everyone got to express their opinion, there was an opportunity for input, discussion and open exchange. And there were regular work meetings where the vet tech, cleaning and admin staff all got together to learn about changes in the shelter, upcoming fundraising events, new information on cat health and behavior, and most of all, ask questions and get answers directly from those in charge, so when asked by the public, they could provide accurate, knowledgable answers instead of "I'm not allowed to answer that, you'll have to see Mary Jo."

Unlike the Hermitage Board of Directors, I read all my mail and listen to all my calls, and am willing to listen to all points of view, even and perhaps especially ones I may not agree with. I think that used to be one of the strengths of the shelter, we were such a diverse group of people with so many skill sets, resources, contacts and points of view.

This blog is getting about 250 visits daily now, so if you are someone who has just discovered the site, know that you are not the only person concerned, that interest is high. And Mary Jo & Co are among the 250 reading the blog, so it is one way to be certain your voice will be heard.

I am publishing below a copy of the loyalty oath that Hermitage volunteers are now being required to sign. It starts out perfectly normal, but to me, it becomes darker with each paragraph. Put yourself in the shoes of volunteer Valerie Conforti, who was met at the door by Jackie the guard, and told that no one was allowed to enter until they signed, and that "this was necessary because some of the volunteers had not been nice to the cats and, along with former staff members, they had been doing things that are bad for the shelter." Valerie refused to sign, taking the stance that signing would be admitting volunteers had mistreated cats and behaved improperly, and that this was not true. She is still waiting for the promised phone call from Rosalie.


THE HERMITAGE CAT SHELTER CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

The Hermitage Cat Shelter is an animal welfare and service organization that strives to maintain a high standard of professionalism and productivity at all times.

To reach our objective, it is in the interest of the volunteers and organization to see the The Hermitage policies and procedures are followed with consistency and that volunteers have a commitment to professionalism and integrity within the organization.

Therefore, The Hermitage volunteers accept the responsibility to report to the Executive Director infractions of policies they believe may have an effect on the organization.

In addition, Hermitage volunteers also accept the personal responsibility to maintain a positive and professional work environment by following the proper procedure to resolve any conflicts. Malicious or speculative talk among volunteers is unproductive, undermines our ethical standards, and will not be tolerated.

There are then spaces for the volunteer's name, date, and then signature. Then spaces for the Executive Director's name date, and signature.

Gary Stanfield is a Hermitage donor and volunteer, and has adopted several Hermitage cats, including one with special needs. He has filed a complaint with the IRS that the shelter has failed to provide the required public access to tax documents and the tax exemption application. I have not edited his letter.

Gary L. Stanfield
4311 East Bryn Mawr Road
Tucson, Arizona 85711
(520) 323-1969

IRS EO Classification
Mail Code 4910
1100 Commerce Street
Dallas, TX 75242
June 17, 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to make a formal complaint about a tax exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization repeatedly and deliberately failing to comply with the public inspection requirements for returns and exemption applications. The organization is the Hermitage Cat Shelter, PO Box 13508, Tucson, AZ, 85732-3508, (520)514-9121 . Their EIN is 86-0213263,

I am a volunteer and donor at the Hermitage Cat Shelter. Due to recent events, I have become concerned about how my donations have been used. The organization does not have current financial or organizational information on its website (http://www.hermitagecatshelter.org), only a pie chart from 2006 and a statement that the financial records were not audited. On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, I went in person to the shelter office, and requested from the Executive Director, Mary Jo Spring, copies of the organizations' public documents, including tax returns, articles of incorporation and by-laws. She acted as though she did not understand what I was asking for. When I restated my request, she then tried to direct me to the website, which I rejected, knowing it did not contain the information. She then indicated that the documents might or might not be readily available and that "they" would have to look into it, and told me a board member would contact me. I then left. I received a phone call from her Wednesday, June 4, stating that she had talked with Board member Taylor Heidenheim, and that he would be calling me and that she would have no documents for me that day. She specifically said that the Board had informed her that I must present a specific written request for these documents to them (the board) for them to consider.

Thursday, June 5, I hand delivered the attached letter to the Hermitage Cat Shelter, and emailed the full Board of Directors, specifically listing the public documents I was requesting. I received on Friday June 10, an email from Ms. Spring, also attached, wanting to know by what authority I was requesting the documents. The email said the documents were ready to be picked up, and I was to be charged a $2 per page "research fee". I took with me copies of the IRS website FAQ listing documents which were required to be open to the public. While I knew the research fee was inappropriate, I wanted the documents, so I took cash with me to the shelter. I have attached an invoice from the shelter, and also the receipt. When I arrived at the shelter, I was given a stack of documents which were incomplete. I repeatedly asked to see Ms. Spring to address the fact that the documents were not all there, and was refused. Shelter staff went back to talk to her, so I know she was aware there was a problem. No one was interested in seeing the documentation from the IRS that Ms. Spring had asked me to supply.

The documents which were provided were the Form 990 for 2007, the Articles of Incorporation from 1965, a copy of the 2004 Name Change, and the current IRS letter affirming tax exempt status. No part of the requested Form 1023, by-laws or other correspondence were included. In going through the Form 990, I noted that while there are two board members who are married to one another (Dan and Denise Moynihan), Part V-A 75b states they are not related.

I have not yet received the balance of the documents requested, or any further communication.

Sincerely,


Gary L. Stanfield

I was sent the following email last night by a former volunteer. It is interesting that the shelter now states it is not adopting cats because they are being "completely checked by our vets" in light of the fact that their policy as stated earlier this week on at least one other occasion and as evidenced by Lori Navrodtzkes' letter below was that 'no current or former shelter volunteer or former shelter employee' would be allowed to adopt cats." I have omitted the volunteer's name, but edited nothing else.
**************************************************************

From: r_tors@hotmail.com
To:
Subject: Visit/Adoption
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:27:30 -0600

We would be pleased to have you visit the shelter--we are located at 5278 E. 21st St., Tucson, between Craycroft and Swan, 22nd St., North on Magnolia, angle to the right, gravel parking lot in front and black wrought iron gate.

We are open on the weekends from 11am-4pm. We currently have an adoption moratorium while our kitties are being completely checked by our vets. Look forward to seeing you. Rosalie at The Hermitage


To: hermitagecats@aol.com
Subject: visit/adoption
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:20:13 -0500

Hello -
I was a volunteer at the Hermitage in 2001. I have recently moved back to the Tucson area and was interested in coming by for a visit. It's been so long since I've been there, I was wanting to come by and see how the facilities and all the cats were doing. I'm also interested in a possible adoption. Please email me and let me know when is convenient, I was hoping to come by before this weekend.

Thank you -

Hermitage Board meetings are open to the public, and according to the website:

Board meetings are normally held at the Ward 6 City Council offices near Speedway and Country Club on the fourth Wednesday of every month, beginning promptly at 6:00 PM. Meetings are normally scheduled for, but not limited to, 2 hours.

The exact address is 3202 East 1st Street, enter from Country Club.

If you wish to speak at a board meeting, you must send a written request in advance to be added to the agenda. The board has to approve your request, and according to the by-laws, is not required to accept your request. They do legally have the right to not permit anyone other than themselves to speak. Generally, at this spring's board meetings, when they have seen they did not like at the meetings, there has been only a brief discussion of "fluff" items, and they have then gone into executive session.

I am a pacifist, and do not advocate physical force, ever. I advocate, and have seen used very effectively, the power of public pressure. Only one person is needed to attend the meeting, document their going into executive session, and wait until after they're done to determine when the meeting ended, and if they went back into general session. (A common tactic used by boards uneasy with public scrutiny is to declare an executive session, wait several hours until everyone leaves, and then come back, declare an open session, call for questions from the public, which has gone home, and then have open, public votes. That way they can claim they are open to all, and that no one had any objections to what they did. So at least one observer has to stay until they adjourn). I'm not certain right now whether to encourage folks to attend en masse and sit in silence, and be the big white elephant sitting in the room, or to suggest that folks spend that time at home writing letters. For now, my suggestion is to simply keep next Wednesday evening open.

One nice thing about having Mary Jo reading the blog is, that even without going in, it is possible to force some small changes through public pressure. Today on the shelter website, Rosalie Torske has been added as a staff member, and the departed board members removed from the list of directors. Rosalie and Mary Jo are management, not actual cleaners or vet techs. Those kind of workers remain unlisted. The new board configuration is now displayed, four fewer people than at the last board meeting, and no new members. Note that there is now only 1 General Representative. The by-laws allow for up to 15 board members, but the three applicants from this spring were all turned down. And the board apparently was not able to convince anyone not already familiar with the shelter to come aboard. There is also supposed to be an advisory board, but that's not listed anywhere, and no one I've spoken to knows if it even exists any more.

Now if only they would put significant and meaningful information on the website, like the 2007 annual report. Or the Form 990 tax return for 2007. Or the minutes of the most recent board meeting. Or any board meeting for this spring, for that matter. Or contact information for the board members.

To see for yourself, go to http://www.HermitageCatShelter.org and then go to the 5th link down on the left that says Who's Who.

I spoke with Alethea at length on the phone Tuesday evening. She is a former preschool teacher, now a student, who was working for minimum wage at the shelter as a cleaner. She had only worked at the shelter for 3 days and had been asked to come in extra. So she was very surprised when Rosalie, Mary Jo's assistant, left a voice message on the phone that it wasn't working out, and she (Alethea) didn't need to come into work. I've invited Alethea to write a letter describing her experience when she's had a day or two to recover.

Also, I have a correction to make: Mary Jo now has kittens in her office.

Today's letter comes from Lori Navrodtzke (some people may know her by her fomer name, Lori Poppa). You may know Lori through the noon TV adoption spots and other media presentations over the years where she represented the shelter. She's also a certified vet tech, and was the shelter liason to other animal rescue groups. When I adopted Cyrano from the shelter last year, she was the one who approved the adoption. This time last year, she was performing the majority of the home checks. But that's apparently not enough to qualify as a good home, according to the Hermitage. As before, I have edited nothing.


Dear Hermitage Board of Directors,

On Sunday, June 15th I came to The Hermitage at approximately 2pm to look at cats. Because I had recently lost my 20 year old cat to kidney failure and my 8 year old Greyhound to bone cancer I decided to come in and adopt a couple of special needs cats. I was welcomed into the shelter by two volunteers who began to show me around. After about 10 minutes Jackie approached me and introduced herself as the floor manager. She asked me if I was Lori and if I was a former employee. I said yes to both questions and Jackie said she had been instructed to ask me to leave immediately and that she would escort me out. I asked why I had to leave and she said those were her instructions and I would not be allowed to adopt any cats from there. On Monday morning I sent an email to Mary Jo at the shelter asking her to contact me and explain why I had been banned from the shelter. I was able to confirm that my email had been received and opened at approximately 11:30am that morning but I never received any response from anyone at the shelter.

It surprises and concerns me that an organization such as The Hermitage would decline a special needs adoption simply because I am a former employee. I resigned my full time position at the shelter in July 2007 to pursue a new career path, however I stayed on for 1-2 days a week through December. In December I was let go due to budget concerns but was told by Mary Jo personally that I was welcome back to volunteer at any time. I left with no animosity and have not been involved in any of the recent changes/problems.

My association with The Hermitage dates back to spring 1995 when I became a volunteer. In that capacity I came in and socialized shy kitties and took cats to PetsMart for off-site adoptions as well as working at community tabling events and organizing a walk-a-thon. Later I became the co-chair of the fundraising committee and then became a board member. During my tenure on the board I held the offices of Vice-President and then President. I resigned my position on the board in December 2000 to become a full time staff member where I worked as Operations Coordinator, Director and Executive Assistant respectively over the course of 7 years. Through all of these years I have been dedicated to supporting the mission of this organization--so why am I not allowed to adopt a cat?

I am very concerned about the information that I have been receiving through a variety of different sources about the changes that have been taking place at the shelter over the past several months. Since October 2007 twenty plus staff members have left due to voluntary resignation, forced resignation or termination. Some of these people had been with the shelter for many years In addition to that, four board members (including 2 from the executive board) have left. Is this information correct? If so, it seems to me that this organization that has been in Tucson for 43 years has become extremely unstable in a very short period of time.

How can new medical staff be properly trained to care for the many special needs cats residing at the shelter when there is no one working there who knows the cats well enough to identify all of them? My work at the shelter included hands on medical care with the cats because of my training and experience as a nationally and state certified veterinary technician. I can say from first hand experience that medicating, grooming, vaccinating and monitoring the health of the 200-300 cats at the shelter is a monumental task. Add to that the fact that the cats are not caged or collared so the ability to be able to visually identify them as well as know their specific hiding places is a necessity in this job. Plus there are the paraplegic cats that require bladder expression to keep them healthy. Is your current medical staff really able to provide the same quality medical care to the cats as the previous long term staff that is now gone? I have also become aware that the shelter stopped using the veterinarian who had provided care to The Hermitage cats for the past 14 years. How can there be any continuity of care when everyone who is now dealing with the varied medical needs of the cats barely knows them?

I am also wondering why so many people--former staff, current and former volunteers, sponsors and donors are not being allowed into the shelter? It seems that anyone who has chosen to ask questions about what is going on at The Hermitage is subsequently being prevented from entering. If everything is going well and the cats are happy and well cared for, banning caring people from the shelter shouldn't be necessary. The actions of the administration of The Hermitage and the fact that the Board of Directors is unwilling to intervene and/or answer valid questions that are being posed to them certainly raise the suspicion they are trying to hide something.

There are 3 aspects to the shelter's mission statement. The second part says, "providing lifelong care to those cats who for behavioral or medical reasons are unable to be re-homed" (this is taken verbatim from the shelter's website). Questions are being asked about specific sanctuary cats who are no longer being seen at the shelter. What has happened to these cats? Why are they not at the shelter? Is the sanctuary part of the shelter--which by the way was the primary mission of The Hermitage founder Sister Seraphim--going to go away? If so, what will happen to the current sanctuary cats at the shelter, many of whom are being sponsored by caring donors and supporters of the shelter? Individuals give their hard earned money to support an organization like The Hermitage because of their love and passion for the cats that are being saved and cared for. Do we now need to be concerned about the welfare and safety of the cats inside The Hermitage? Why have you been unwilling to address the concerns that supporters of the shelter have raised? Providing honest answers to the questions being asked would help to curb the speculation and assumptions that are now being made about what is happening at the shelter.

If the information that I have received is incorrect or inaccurate I am certainly open to hearing the truth. I would appreciate a written response to my inquiry. Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,
Lori A. Navrodtzke

Some days the blog just writes itself.

I have just received an email that Alethea, a member of the cleaning staff that Executive Director Mary Jo Spring hired under "the new vision", has been fired. That makes 3 people who hired in the past 3 weeks to replace the long-term staff, who are now also gone: Cassandra and Alethea were cleaning staff, and Cholla, the Cat Care Manager that replaced Paula Smith. Mary Jo Spring is now up to about 130% staff turnover.

Cassandra Scheffman, one of Mary Jo's new hires brought in under the "new vision", was terminated by phone this morning. She had been there about three weeks. She's writing a letter to the board, which I will publish in another installment.

The outsourced cleaning crew has changed; whether it's a different batch of employees or new company is unknown.

A new Cat Care Manager, Debbie, has been hired. She's the third person in that position in the past 17 days.

The Hermitage website, the shelter's official source of information to the public, has removed the names of all staff members from the Who's Who page, except for one: Mary Jo Spring. I guess the constant changes were taking up too much time. It does, however, continue to list as directors four people who are no longer on the board, making it look like a more robust organization than it really is. Kendra Kent and Rachel McCaffrey both resigned, and Dan and Denise Moynihan finished their terms and have not been back to even volunteer. To see for yourself, go to http://www.HermitageCatShelter.org and then go to the 5th link down on the left that says Who's Who. There's also a letter from Mary Jo that is rife with irony.

Where is Buffy?
Where is Annette?
Where is Jaspur?

Their names are not on the adoption board.
Their names are not on the vet board.
Their names are not on the euthanasia board.
They are not in the shelter.
Where are they?

Paula Smith, the Hermitage's head vet tech and Cat Care Manager, was associated with the shelter for 20 years. She was fired on May 31. Why did Cholla, the new Cat Care Manager hired June 2 to replace Paula, depart after less than three days? And where is the replacement for the replacement?

Executive Director Mary Jo Spring has been telling anyone who will listen that the problems at the shelter are due to personnel problems with a few disgruntled ex-employees and gossipy volunteers. Those people are now gone, so there should be only sunshine at the shelter now. The new employees were hired by Mary Jo herself, in support of the "new vision". And yet veterinary staff turnover continues. How do these facts support Mary Jo's explanation?

Mary Jo Spring is not acting in a vacuum. She is doing the job the board has directed her to do. Can you name ONE other nonprofit organization, anywhere in the US, in which every single nonmanagement employee was fired or resigned in a three week span? What would you think about the board of such an organization? Would you donate money to it?

Where is Kino?
Where is Bella?
Where is Sam?
Where is Weird Al?
Where is Puzzles?

We all know where they were two weeks ago. Where are they all now?

Paula Smith has been associated with the Hermitage Cat Shelter since 1989, starting as a volunteer and part-time employee. She attended Pima Medical Institute for her training and has been a full-time employee since 1999. In that time she provided hands-on care medical care for thousands of cats. She personally has 14 cats, all adopted from the Hermitage, half of them special needs cats requiring extra daily care. As Cat Care Manager, and head vet tech, Paula was the ultimate decision-maker, in consultation with the vet, on when cat's quality of life had declined to the point where the cat was suffering, and euthanasia was the kind thing to do. As a former vet tech assistant at the shelter, I have watched Paula weigh the different factors involved, seek input from the other techs, make calls to both Encanto Pet Clinic and the volunteer vet who made house calls. I can say there is no one I would rather have make this kind of decision, from a standpoint of knowledge about cat's bodies in general, knowledge of the individual cats, thoroughness in gathering information, and most of all, compassion. The board turned over this decision to Mary Jo Spring, who has no medical or veterinary background, was hired as a fund-raiser, and whose current personal experience with cats consists of the sole cat in her home. (Mary Jo does not permit cats in her office at the shelter).

Paula sent the letter below to the Board and was fired within five days. There was no written response. As before, I have edited nothing.


Dear Executive Director and Board of Directors,

This letter is in response to events that have occurred recently with my job. On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, I was called into a meeting with Mary Jo Spring, and Rosalie Torske to discuss some changes being made with the veterinary care of the shelter animals. Soon into the discussion, I was presented with a document entitled Employee Counseling Agreement (Document). I was told that this document was created because of concerns expressed by the Executive Director, and Board of Directors about my job performance. In appearance, the document is a listing of some guidelines associated with my job. However, in the ensuing conversation, it was stated that I am not performing such duties and that my attitude toward these policies is negative. It was stated by the Executive Director that we had previously discussed the first six items; to the best of my knowledge, I have been performing my duties in full compliance with these policies.
I have been a dedicated, full-time employee of The Hermitage for the past nine years and have been affiliated with the shelter for approximately 20 years. The cats at the shelter have always been my first priority, and I take my responsibilities very seriously. I have never received a written reprimand. I also received a very positive written Performance Evaluation on Feb. 7, 2008. Although I have been consistent in the quality of my work since that time, the inconsistency and lack of written policies has made it difficult to perform my duties. I have been made to feel that myself, and my staff are incompetent and that the adoption process is not running smoothly due to our actions.

The following are my concerns regarding the document I was given and the discussion which followed.
I was verbally informed that I have made it very difficult to adopt cats out. I asked several times to be given examples of this; none were provided. Could you please provide me with examples of this in writing? I have always been very efficient in processing adoptions; however, making sure that not only the cats that are being adopted, but also the rest of the feline residents are cared for properly is my first priority. Recently, when cats receive an adoption application, I have felt pressured to process them quickly. My understanding of the interview process was that it would be in-depth and detailed. In preparation for the Adoptathon, I asked the Assistant Director if there would be enough people on site to conduct detailed interviews, to which she replied that they would have the interview process down to 10 - 15 minutes maximum. Is this enough time to ensure a proper home for our felines?

It is noted in the Document that I am to abide by adoption policies set forth by the Assistant Director. Will the Assistant Director now be making changes to the current adoption policies? To the best of my knowledge, such policy changes have always been made by the Board, not by management.

There is a statement in the Document that I need to acknowledge the shelter as an adoption facility and work towards the goal of adopting out both eminently adoptable and special needs kitties. I was told that we need to change our philosophy to reflect this emphasis on adoption over sanctuary. I understand the need to promote more adoptions; however, will we still consider ourselves to be a sanctuary to those who do not find homes, as is stated in our Mission Statement? The reason I am concerned about this change, is that I have been also told about the future possibility of placing some of the feral cats we currently house into a barn cat relocation program. My understanding of this program is that it is used to relocate feral cats living in an imminently dangerous situation to barns where they may have a last chance at survival. It is not designed to take cats that have been sheltered for several years and place them in an outdoors situation.

The Document states that the cat care manager will make the determination for treatment of cats; however, it also states that the Executive Director will be the first contact by the vet for euthanasia determinations, and the cat care manager will be brought in for discussion. Will the Executive Director ultimately be making all decisions as to whether we continue to treat cats or euthanize them? Will we change the protocol that we have used for many years? Will cost be the determining factor in euthanasia versus treatment decisions?

The Document makes note that I will have to work with new veterinarians and clinics and that this is to be done in a professional manner. During my tenure at the shelter, I have worked with many veterinarians and several clinics; there has never, to my knowledge been a complaint about the nature of these interactions. The desire to maintain a relationship with our present clinic is not a personal matter; rather, it arises from the fact that Encanto has provided the shelter with exemplary cat care for an extended period of time. We have always been able to call on Dr. Ireland at any time of any day to look after our sick felines. This degree of care and compassion has always been provided at a reasonable cost. Any other clinic able to serve in accord with these conditions will certainly have the full support of me and my staff. My concern is that this level of care has taken many years to develop and any precipitous change in veterinary care may not guarantee its continuation.

These concerns lead me to believe that the shelter is evolving into something other than what was in the original Mission Statement. Will the mission of The Hermitage be changing, and if so, when will you notify the supporters of the organization?

The general working atmosphere at the shelter has become one of intimidation over the last several months. Employees with concerns about cat welfare or their own working conditions do not feel free to express such concerns to senior management. Some of those who did express concerns are no longer at the shelter.

This Document is presented in such manner that there is an implication of unwillingness on my part to comply with present or future shelter policies. It has been presented in such way that I am being set up to fail. Does the listing for an "Animal Care Manager (Tucson)" on Craig?s List have any bearing on or relation to this subject? Refusal to sign the Document constitutes implied resignation; signing the Document makes me responsible for compliance with vaguely worded policies, some of which do not even pertain to conditions as they exist at the shelter. My signature on this Document acknowledges receipt of such Document; I am still not clear as to what I am being "counseled" on.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. A written response would be appreciated.

Respectfully,

Paula Smith
Cat Care Manager

When I worked at the "old" Hermitage, not so long ago, there were several large public bulletin boards used to communicate information to volunteers, staff and the public. In an organization that runs 7 days a week, with 20 staff members and even more volunteers, all coming in on different schedules, this was a critical means of communication. There was a board listing the identity of cats waiting for home visits and approved adoptions. A second board listed all the cats with special food needs, with notations. Another board listed all cats who were at the vet that day, and cats which had just entered new areas of the shelter. And one board had information on any cats who had been euthanized in the previous month or "Crossed the Rainbow Bridge", letting people know what had happened medically that had prompted that decision. There would be a thank you to those who had cared for the cat, sponsors who had supported it, and visitors who had come to share time with it. The board was not hidden in the back, but in the front room, and all could see. If staff and sponsors were in the shelter on a day when a euthanasia decision appeared imminent, Paula, the head vet tech, would quietly let them know, one at a time, so if they wished they could say good-bye before the cat was taken to the vet.

I remember when Angel died, a sweet, delicate wisp of a kitty, who was strongly bonded to her brother, Homer. Angel and Homer were grand examples of what the sanctuary side of the shelter was for. They were brought in as kittens, with neurological problems that impaired their balance. They were not in any kind of pain, just slow and wobbly and not able to walk more than a few feet at a time without laying down and getting their bearings. They enjoyed being together, and they loved being with people. Angel was usually in the front room, laying on a fancy blanket, where she could socialize with visitors. She was a slow eater, and had a hard time maintaining her weight, so a volunteer or staff member would sit with her at meal time to make sure none of the other cats took her food, and monitor the amount. Homer, on the other hand, was a prodigious eater, and learned how to station himself outside the kitten cage, and if the person cleaning out the babies' area forgot to put the food bowl exactly in the middle of the cage, Homer would reach through the bars and remove the all kitten food one kibble at a time. When Angel was euthanized, the staff called sponsors and also visitors they knew had special regard for the duo, and there were actually people who came in just to see Homer, concerned that he would be sad or confused when he could not find his sister. I remember one man who said he had come to pay Homer his respects. There was a gradual parade that Saturday of people who came in and cuddled Homer and exchanged memories about Angel. It was like a little cat wake, and it was touching to see how many lives two little cats had touched.

If you go into the shelter now, you will see no information posted anywhere on cats who have been euthanized. And believe me, they are not about to let people know in advance a cat is being sent over to the Humane Society to be euthanized. Cats are simply disappearing, and at an alarming rate. The Shelter Board and Executive Director know that if they put this information on a public board, they would have even more trouble on their hands. Because the volunteers and sponsors who have not been black-listed would look at the number of names on the board and be shocked. Then they would look even closer, at the identity of these cats, who they knew very well, and realize for themselves that there was no medical reason for those sanctuary cats to be put down. It would confirm what everyone knows about why the Board took the responsibility for making euthanasia decisions away from the veterinary staff, and gave it to an administrator who was hired as a fund-raiser.

Whimpering, whining
Clumsily pouncing on strings,
Eternal kitten.

This was posted on Craig's list last Thursday. If you're a vet tech interested in one of the jobs, you might want to ask during the interview why, if they've been in existence since 1965, there are no techs who have been there longer than three weeks. And why they are looking for someone ASAP. And what happened to the health benefits of the long-term (5+ years) employees last year. And why none of the people training you know who all the cats are. And how they tell the black cats apart. And .............

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://tucson.craigslist.org/npo/708722679.html

Veterinary Technicians Needed ASAP (Hermitage Cat Shelter)
Reply to: hermitagecats@aol.com
Date: 2008-06-05, 10:23AM MST

Non-profit animal shelter seeks full and part time veterinary technicians. We are looking for dedicated employees with experience in general animal care, excellent people skills and a strong teamwork ethic / mentality. Must be able to work some weekend days. Pay dependent on experience. Please submit resumes via email to hermitagecats@aol.com.

* Location: Hermitage Cat Shelter
* Compensation: Pay dependent on experience.
* This is at a non-profit organization.
* OK for recruiters to contact this job poster.
* Phone calls about this job are ok.
* Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Some members of the Hermitage Cat Shelter Board are responding to the volume of emails by either changing their addresses, or leaving their mailboxes full and unread. So, here are their home mailing addresses. These were obtained from the current Form 990s, which are documents available to the public, so providing this information is not a breach of privacy.

Tom Tulowitzki
11645 E. Quiet Valley
Tucson AZ, 85749

Ron Zack
1826 N. Hayden Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85715

Taylor Heidenheim
8445 E. Ocotilla
Tucson, AZ 85750

Kenna Smith
7320 N. La Cholla
Tucson, AZ 85741

Judith Showers
7660 E. Desert Ar.
Tucson, AZ 85715

Volunteer and donor, Valerie Conforti, went to the Hermitage Cat Shelter Monday to work, and was met by Jackie, the new security person at the door. Jackie checked "The List", and found that Valerie was one of the volunteers who are still allowed in. Jackie said she knew that Valerie was very loving towards the cats. However, there was a form for everyone to sign and no-one was allowed in without signing it. Valerie read the form and saw that it said, among other things, that the volunteer has to agree not to engage in malicious gossip or speculation. The volunteer also had to agree to report any infractions to the Executive Director. Jackie said this was necessary because some of the volunteers had not been nice to the cats and, along with former staff members, they had been doing things that are bad for the shelter.

Valerie wasn't about to sign this. She said that by signing this, she would be admitting that the volunteers had mistreated the cats; that she had been going to the shelter for 8 months and never seen a volunteer be anything but very loving to the cats. Jackie then replied that Valerie would have to talk to Rosalie to get clearance, and had Valerie sign her name and phone number. It is now Wednesday evening, and no one from the shelter has called Valerie back.

Today's first post is a letter that was sent from Carol Porta, a volunteer and donor, to the Hermitage Cat Shelter Board. Carol is one of those people who networks, and not only devoted her own time and money to the shelter, but convinced her employer to do so as well. At least until Executive Director Mary Jo Spring decided last year the corporate sponsorship program was more trouble than it was worth, and dropped it. I have not edited Carol's letter.

June 9, 2008

To the Board of Directors
The Hermitage No Kill Cat Shelter

I am now making a written request to all of you to explain to me why I have been banned from the shelter.

I truly fail to understand how keeping me away from the shelter, and cats I have loved and supported for years, is in anyone's best interest, least of all the cats. Perhaps it is that I have dared to question the decisions made (in secret I might add) that no longer reflect on Sister Seraphim's mission of a no-kill sanctuary, where every cat, no matter their condition, could live out their lives cherished and cared for?

My support for the Hermitage began over two decades ago, long before the shelter was even known to most of the Tucson community. There is no way to describe the environment of the shelter in the days preceding 2006. It was a calm place, full of love, everyone there had only the cat?s interests at heart. I was proud to support such a wonderful place. The sacrifices I made over the years to provide money, food, and whatever else I could help with paled in contrast to the work being done there in the name of compassion and love by people who were dedicated to the mission of the sanctuary and the cats living there. I am sure there was never enough money, but somehow, the staff and volunteers managed to keep things running.

What has happened? I understand that you all feel you "have a business to run now", which is fine, but that is not at odds with being a no-kill sanctuary. Are you not aware of Best Friends in Utah? Where over 1800 animals from all over are taken in and cared for? Did not any of you attend Nathan Winograd?s seminar recently?

Why have so many good programs gone by the wayside? Corporate sponsorships, active support for the individual cat sponsors? The website is in shambles with no one to update it or remove cats from the site who have died. My friends and family continued to support the Hermitage over the years as well, however now their emails and letters aren't even acknowledged. Can you afford to ignore your donors, who might bring in even more donors? I think not.

I have stayed loyal to the Hermitage over the years because I connect so deeply to the mission of no-kill, and the sanctuary where the most helpless and thrown away cats would always have a home. It seems as if the part of my life with the Hermitage is a bad dream anymore, with all the terrible decisions made over the past 2 years, and as I watched long-time employees and volunteers literally thrown away like garbage. You cannot even imagine the pain and stress I have known, watching the cats suffer, employees and volunteers I have known for years having their lives turned upside down, and for no reason that I can see, believe me, except for the lunatic ravings of one person who has been supported in all of this by your own neglect and disinterest. And to be told I can no longer see the cats I love and care for, and to not even have one of you be able to give me a good reason why.

I only hope that someday you will see your folly and mistakes, and I hope even more that innocent cat lives are not lost due to you.


Carol Porta
2317 North Belvedere
Tucson, AZ 85712
520-400-4454

The following is a letter that was sent to the Board of Directors this morning by a donor, who gave me permission to publish it here. The donor had previously written a $300,000 bequest to the Hermitage. They requested their name be deleted from the public posting in order to avoid becoming a target of theft; the Board's copies of the letter contained the donor's name, however, so they know the veracity of this. Other than removing the signature, I have not edited the letter.

To the Board of Directors:

What would you say to Sister Seraphim if she stood before the locked gates of the Hermitage today?

Without doubt, if she were still with us she would be right at the top your list of "undesirables" to be refused admission by the bouncer.

"A hermitage has been my animals' and my refuge...
To this humble dwelling come the injured and the hungry and the friendless.
We care for them, we feed them, we make them welcome." (Sister Seraphim).

Donors are giving money to the Hermitage based on both the original philosophy of a cat "sanctuary" and also its mission to find good homes for adoptable cats. Yet Mary Jo Spring has stated that it is not possible to have a cat sanctuary in this day and age! The Hermitage appears to be turning into a 'hustle 'em through as fast as you can and grab the money' adoption center. If the Board members continue to take in money without informing the public that the Hermitage no longer adheres to Sister Seraphim's stated mission, aren't you committing fraud?

The latest event is disturbing and irrational, and I am desperately worried about the safety of the cats. The shelter has been put on Lock Down. The public and all volunteers have been banned. The last I heard, apart from the Humane Society cleaning crew, there are only 2 vet techs, one cleaner and one bouncer working there. There is no way that these 4 newly-hired people can adequately care for the cats. With the volunteers gone, who is there to do the mounds of laundry, clean out the litter boxes, clean poop off the condos and wipe urine off the walls where territorial cats have sprayed?

Are the members of the Board now doing these chores?

Above all, I am gravely concerned that there is nobody at the shelter now who can identify all the cats. Many of them are identical and it would be so easy get their medications mixed up - with disastrous results. And who is watching out for special needs cats like Eddie and Baluga, who both have seizures when under stress? Are you there to help?

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have sullied the good name of the Hermitage. You should do the honorable thing and resign immediately

Sincerely

In her letter below, Sue Garvey asks the excellent question, with regards to the finances of the Hermitage: "Why isn't there anything available for public inspection beyond 2006 on your website?" Nonprofit corporations are required to provide to the public the following documents upon request.
--Articles of Incorporation, and any and all supporting documents
--Form 990 (tax return)
--Form 1023 (application for tax exempt status)
--By-Laws (part of Form 1023)
--Any and all letters issued by the IRS regarding the exemption application
Organizations are allowed by the IRS to charge a maximum fee of 20 cents per page, although a cynic like me would say charging donors for access to copies of your financial records is biting the hand that feeds you.

You don't have to take my word for any of this, go check it out for yourself on the IRS website, http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=139231,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=135008,00.html,
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=135014,00.html
Form 1023 is a pdf file, there is a link to its contents in the second webpage above.

*****************************************************************

Exempt Organizations - Public Disclosure Requirements in General
In general, what public disclosure requirements apply to tax-exempt organizations?

In general, exempt organizations must make available for public inspection certain annual returns and applications for exemption, and must provide copies of such returns and applications to individuals who request them. Copies usually must be provided immediately in the case of in-person requests, and within 30 days in the case of written requests. The tax-exempt organization may charge a reasonable copying fee plus actual postage, if any.


Exempt Organizations - Documents Subject to Public Disclosure
What tax documents must an exempt organization make available for public inspection and copying?

An exempt organization must make available for public inspection its exemption application. An exemption application includes the Form 1023 (for organizations recognized as exempt under ? 501(c)(3)), ... together with supporting documents and any letter or document issued by the IRS concerning the application.
In addition, an exempt organization must make available for public inspection and copying its annual return. Such returns include Form 990... The annual return must be available for a three-year period beginning with the due date of the return (including any extension of time for filing).

Form 1023, Parts IV and Checklist, referenced above:
Part IV Narrative Description of Your Activities
Using an attachment, describe your past, present, and planned activities in a narrative. If you believe that you have already provided some of this information in response to other parts of this application, you may summarize that information here and refer to the specific parts of the application for supporting details. You may also attach representative copies of newsletters, brochures, or similar documents for supporting details to this narrative. Remember that if this application is approved, it will be open for public inspection. Therefore, your narrative description of activities should be thorough and accurate. Refer to the instructions for information that must be included in your description.

Form 1023 Checklist (Revised June 2006)
Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Note. Retain a copy of the completed Form 1023 in your permanent records...Assemble the application and materials in this order:
● Form 1023 Checklist
● Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (if filing)
● Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization (if filing)
● Expedite request (if requesting)
● Application (Form 1023 and Schedules A through H, as required)
● Articles of organization
● Amendments to articles of organization in chronological order
● Bylaws or other rules of operation and amendments

Exempt Organization Public Disclosure - Costs for Providing Copies of Documents
What does the IRS consider to be a reasonable charge for copying costs?

A tax-exempt organization may charge a reasonable fee for providing copies, which is generally defined as the amount charged by the IRS for providing copies. Under regulations issued in July 2004, the IRS may not charge more for copies than the fees listed in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) fee schedule. In addition, although the FOIA fee schedule directs the IRS to provide the first 100 pages free, the regulations allow the exempt organization to charge a fee for all copies. For non-commercial requesters, the FOIA schedule currently provides a charge of $.20 per page.

An organization may require payment before it provides copies, but must advise requesters of the total cost of the copies requested if adequate payment is not included with the request.
*****************************************************************

Executive Director Spring has been claiming that the shelter has money problems. The Board has been claiming that the excellent ED they hired is doing a great job fundraising. But neither one is putting the actual numbers out there. Donors large and small, it's time to find out how your contributions have been spent. The shelter must, by law, provide these documents to any member of the public, as a requirement of being granted tax exempt status. And when you request copies of the Form 990 and Form 1023, remember that the by-laws are a part of Form 1023. That way, if you don't like the numbers you see, you have the information you need to effect change.

First of all, I'd like to thank Mary Jo Spring, Executive Director of the Hermitage Cat Shelter, for reading my blog daily. Mary Jo is not very tech-savvy, so she probably doesn't realize that every time anyone clicks on my blog, its search engine ranking increases. When people have heard things about the shelter, or been treated rudely, and are concerned, lots of them go to the internet to get information on what's happening. They'll Google something like "Hermitage cat blog", and now the first item that comes up is this webpage. So, every time she reads this, she raises the profile of those who disagree with her.

Today's first blog entry is a copy of a letter that was sent by Sue Garvey, a former volunteer and current donor to the Hermitage, to the President of the Hermitage Board, Tom Tulowitzki. Since the Board does not seem interested in reading or responding to letters from its own (soon to be former) volunteers or donors, I thought the greater community might be interested. I have not edited anything.

Sue Garvey
4901 N Sabino Valley Place
Tucson , AZ 85750
Tel: 520.529.3144
Fax: 520.529.3144
sue@garvey.ca

June 8th 2008

Mr. Tulowitzki
11645 E. Quiet Valley
Tucson AZ, 85749
Dear Mr. Tulowitzki,

I am a former volunteer and donor who had to stop shelter activities 2 years ago for health reasons now I am a very worried donor.
I am in contact and socialize with several volunteers and (former) staff members and have been hearing various rumblings (some good and some bad) for a while with regard to the running of the Hermitage and so felt compelled to attend a public board meeting in the hopes of finding out exactly what was going on. Sadly I did not get to hear the boards side of the situation. Now I only have the events that I witnessed to make my judgment about the performance of the Hermitage Board and current management. Worse than that, what I had heard in the form of rumors seem to be true. Attempts to communicate with you as a Board of directors by the staff had been rebuffed over and over again. On that evening I witnessed it, protocol had been followed and access was denied again to the staff. These people are genuine caring intelligent individuals and the Board would not give them the time of day. I was totally shocked. Apparently they were either asked to leave or conditions were put into job descriptions too awful to accept forcing resignations over the next few days.
I am shocked and saddened by the long list of dismissals and resignations by the staff and volunteers. That on its own must be considered as an enormous red flag. The people you have systematically lost (one way or another) made up the backbone of the Hermitage particularly Paula, the Cat Care Manager who has given 20 years of her life to the love of the cats in her care. They knew all the cats, their problems and their needs, now the people in charge and the few working under them cannot possibly hope to identify the correct cat for medication, adoption even special diet. I think that you have put the cats lives in danger.
I understand the philosophy Mary Jo talks of in her e mail, adoption is obviously the most desirable outcome for the cats, but I thought that had always been the Hermitage philosophy along with providing sanctuary for the poor unfortunates that were not adoptable. As for saving cats from euthanasia, I am not sure affiliating yourselves with the Humane Society is such a great idea when as far as I understand they do not treat FIV leukemia or feral cats, a large number of which make up the population of the Hermitage. It is a ridiculous situation that you have allowed to happen and I am deeply troubled that you seem to think turning away donors is a good thing when as far as I know the Hermitage has relied upon such people since the shelters beginning. As for saving money, how can employing a cleaning crew cost less than volunteers that did the back breaking chore with love and care for the cats for nothing, not power washers that scare the cats and put an already fragile building in danger of collapse?
With regards to the finances of the Hermitage why isn't there anything available for public inspection beyond 2006 on your website?
I would like a response to either my e mail or letter and I look forward to receiving it, thank you in advance.

Respectfully,

Sue Garvey

The outside gates to the shelter are locked, and a security person is telling visitors that the shelter is on "Lock Down" and they don't know when they will let anyone in. I just looked up lock down in the dictionary, and it defines the phrase as The process of locking inmates in their cells, either as part of the daily routine or if an incident (eg a fight) is taking place. Now, while Sonic and a few other alpha cats have been known to sometimes launch off condos and use cleaning staff as scratching posts, I rather doubt they're busy making shanks and shivs and eyeing the warden's daughter.

So, I'm assuming what the guard really meant was that they were on "Lock Out". Their solution is to lock the world out and hope that their problems with the public go away. Problem is, unless they want to fund the shelter from their own pockets, the public is also taking their money with them. This is particularly poigniant when you remember that the founder of the Hermitage, Sister Seraphim, was a nun who very specifically chose a life of service and interaction with the community.

I've had a children's song in my head the past few days, The Cat Came Back. Like a lot of children's rhymes and songs, it has a sweet melody, but the words are a bit grim. I think the original version was by Harry Miller, and there's a fairly hilarious video by Cordell Barker. The song is about a old Mister Johnson, who wanted to get rid of a yellow cat. And each day, he tries some new horrible method to get rid of it. But he can't. Because, as the refrain goes,

The cat came back, the very next day,
The cat came back, we thought he was a goner,
The cat came back, he just wouldn't stay away.

Are you a donor or volunteer at the Hermitage Cat Shelter? Interested in visiting the cat you pay money to sponsor, or performing the cleaning, grooming, feeding or other task you've been trained for, and doing, perhaps for years? Been hearing things that concern you, and want to check it out for yourself? Well, you better hope that your name isn't on the BANNED FROM THE SHELTER list.

That's right, the Hermitage Cat Shelter, a nonprofit organization, dependent upon contributions from the public for its very survival, now has an identity checker at their front door. If you are a volunteer or donor whose name is on the blacklist, you don't get in. And what have these people done to merit this, you ask? Did they steal money from the organization, have a record as an animal abuser, or assault an employee? No, they wrote letters of disapproval or expressed verbal concerns to the Board and the Executive Director about how their money and donations were being spent, and their volunteer efforts were being directed. Some of these people, like volunteer Carol Porta, got letters saying "their services were no longer needed". Other people have just arrived to do their regular volunteer work, and been barred at the door. Some individuals have not even been told they were barred, just simply that the shelter was "Closed for Deep Cleaning", while other members of the public wishing to adopt, were permitted right in behind them. And the door is occasionally unmanned, and so at least one volunteer entered, unaware she was banned, was working away, and then "discovered" by the sentry and told to leave.

Now, Jackie, the young woman standing sentry, is a brand-new employee; the last of the long-term employees went last week. The reports I've had about Jackie's interactions are that she has been polite and professional, and the people coming to the door have felt pretty sympathetic to her, she has no idea what has gone on before her arrival. And she doesn't know who the volunteers and donors are any better than she knows the cats; all the new hires know is that the ED has told them horrible people are trying to invade the shelter, and not to let in people on a list. And the list gets longer every day. And the ED has been hiding in the office, and sends her assistant out to direct the sentries. (That's going to be a real effective fund-raising strategy Mary Jo, refusing to meet the public).

So, rather than talk to a person who is essentially a newly hired innocent bystander, my personal recommendation is that volunteers and donors go in early Sunday afternoon, when the Board President and his wife typically give tours. Tom Tulowitzki needs to spend an afternoon looking lots people in the eye, the majority of them middle-aged and older women, and explaining why they were banned from a cat shelter, to their faces. And just in case he doesn't show up, take a letter with you, in an envelope addressed specifically to him, asking him to call you personally and explain why you were banned. I think by the 20th time he does this, even he will understand what a nightmare the board has created, and start looking for a graceful exit strategy. And there is one.

Kendra Kent, Hermitage Cat Shelter Board Vice-President, resigned over the weekend. Jodi Schanbel, the remaining long-term Vet Tech, resigned Thursday. Jessica Ehler, the sole remaining long-term member of the cleaning staff, also resigned. That means there are NO staff members left at the shelter who know the identity of all the remaining cats. If you've never been to the Hermitage, then you don't realize it is a no-cage facility, with almost 300 free-roaming cats within the house. Ever tried to tell 10 different black cats apart? Let alone locate a specific one in an area with four connected rooms and hundreds of hiding places, and oh yes, the cats are all moving the entire time? It took me two months when I was an assistant vet tech to learn everyone, their habits, hangouts and how to tell them from similar cats, and that was after I had worked at the shelter as a cleaner for about 18 months. And I still had to get Paula or Jodi to verify my identifications sometimes. How can the sick cats receive medication if they can't reliably be identified? How can a cat be adopted if it has no history because no one is sure who it is? The people left to care for the cats are a three-person Humane Society cleaning crew, two new cleaners, and two new vet techs who have been on the job a week. There is an adminstrative assistant who gives tours and approves adoptions, but she does not know the identity of all the cats.

Additional staff gone in the past three weeks are, in reverse order:
Christy Pasciunas, Vet Tech Assistant, resigned
Kate Spiderman, Vet Tech Assistant, resigned
Karen McGillis, Vet Tech, resigned
Paula Smith, Care Care Manager (Head Vet Tech), fired
Megan Morris, Shelter Assistant, fired
Keith Godbee, Sheltter Assistant, fired
Joleen Snowden, Relief Manager, fired
Carlen Torres, Shelter Assistant, fired
Julie Vance, Shelter Manager, resigned

I call upon everyone who cares about these cats and their welfare, to call upon the remaining board members to resign. These people need to see that LOTS of people are unhappy with what they have done, and how they have done it.

President Tom Tulowitzki, tomtincal@msn.com
Treasurer Ron Zack, wsuron@yahoo.com
Gen. Representative Kenna Smith, kagesmith@gmail.com
Gen. Representative Judy Showers, judys@happytailstucson.com
Gen. Representative Taylor Heidenheim, heident@comcast.net
And let Executive Director Mary Jo Spring, know what you think of the job she's doing too: hermitagecats@aol.com

Shelter phone is 571-7839.

Christy Pasciunas, Hermitage Vet Tech Assistant has given two weeks notice. What this means is that there will be only ONE employee left, Vet Tech Jodi Schnabel, who knows the identity of every single cat in the shelter.

I have to hand it to Mary Jo Spring, the Executive Director. Even Tom Tulowitzki, Board President, publicly admitted in a meeting last September what we all knew: Mary Jo lacks communication skills. But she found a solution! She got rid of all the cleaning staff, and brought in a new three-person cleaning crew from the Humane Society that does not speak English. End of conflict!

Since the old cleaning staff has all been fired except one trainee, who is instructing them on what to do? The new staff is cleaning the outside concrete by simply hosing it off. This is SO wrong because there is no bleach or disinfectant being used; the shelter had previously stopped even dumping water from mop buckets off the sides of the patios, due to erosion problems -- what impact will daily hosing have on the patio foundation? These areas contain shy and feral cats which are easily frightened. Can you imagine the reaction of Beatrice, the little refugee from Hurricane Katrina, when she sees and hears water and hoses?

The former cleaning staff at the shelter did not "just clean", their jobs also included letting the vet tech staff know about any medical problems they observed (and, since the same folks usually cleaned the same rooms, they knew the cats well). They answered the front door, interacted with visitors, after a period of training and supervision, gave tours and acted as hosts to the public. Thinking you can bring in people from outside, not train them, and maintain the same quality of cleanliness and care is absurd. Heck, they don't even know what to do if the fire alarm goes off.

Kate Spiderman, a Hermitage Vet Tech Assistant, resigned Sunday in response to the firing of her supervisor, Paula Smith.

Saturday, a visitor went into the Hermitage Cat Shelter looking for Dexter, a big, lovely orange male tabby with a crippled rear leg. There were, of course, no knowledgeable staff members to ask. But there was a poorly trained, unsupervised volunteer, and they told the visitor that Dexter was having kidney problems and was back in ISO (the medical isolation area). In reality, Dexter died back around Christmas. But that doesn't keep the shelter from posting him on the website as a special needs adoptable cat, or from telling visitors he's back in ISO getting specialized medical care. Here's what they have posted about him on the website:

Dexter is a domestic short hair, neutered male, orange tabby kitty, born 2003. He came to the shelter 8-03 when he was rescued from the streets as a very young kitten. He had been attacked by a dog and a spinal injury resulted in permanent nerve damage to one rear leg which causes him to have a substantial limp. Dexter has also been diagnosed with congenital kidney disease and because of this he is on daily medication as well as a special veterinary diet. Dexter is a sweet boy who likes to talk, loves attention from people and gets along with other cats. He would do best in a home where there are no dogs.

You can see him on the website yourself by going to
http://www.HermitageCatShelter.org. On the right you will see cats displayed. The first one is Dunbar, a kitten who was adopted last year. Third one is Cruiser, who was adopted out ~ 8 months ago. But hey, they photographed well, which means they make the shelter look good, and so people to donate money for their care, so why bother with a detail like whether they're actually at the shelter? Click on the picture of Sadie Mae, the Adoptable Special Needs Cat. Dexter will appear as the second cat from the top.