The Hermitage has an item on its website implying that it receives financial backing from the State of Arizona. It lists the Arizona Department of Transportation as a "Corporate contributor".

This is misleading. AZ DOT administers the funds collected by the special fund license plate program, which includes the Pet Friendly/Spay and Neuter License plates. Money from these plates is given to non-profit organizations for the specific purpose of spay and neuter programs. These are distributed to the public as certificates for discounts, or used to fund spay/neuter drives at clinics. These monies do NOT go to provide financial support to animal groups. The Hermitage does not provide spay or neuter services to the public, and takes its own cats to the Humane Society to obtain those services. What the Hermitage did do was serve as an adminstrator for some of these funds--how much, no one knows, since The Hermitage does not make those records public.

I just sent the AZ DOT a letter asking them to require the Hermitage to alter its website to indicate the true nature of the funds. I also encouraged them to investigate whether the Hermtiage truly qualifies as an eligible non-profit, in view of its repeated refusal to make financial records available to the public or media. I don't think such an organization needs to be adminstering public money.

You can let the Department of Transportation know your own opinion by sending them an email. Go to:
https://wwwa.azdot.gov/contact_adot/index.aspx

Mary Jo Spring has left, but the Hermitage continues to be untruthful to the public. The Board still thinks that it's OK to just make things up.

There is now a scroll across the official website stating that August was a record adoption month, with 40 cats going to new homes. Untrue. While 40 cats may be a record for 2009, it is hardly a record for the Hermitage, which has in pre-Spring years had multiple months with more than 40 adoptions, and even 50+.

A new section has been added to the "Who We Are" page, with additional falsehoods:

"Under the direction of former Executive Director Mary Jo Spring, The Hermitage has made great strides in caring for the the needs of our cats and in serving the community with innovative and beneficial programs.

The Hermitage has continued to provide lifelong sanctuary for those cats whose needs require special attention and unique care; however, The Hermitage Cat Shelter has also reached out in new directions to be able to touch the lives of more cats in positive ways.

Increased emphasis on adoptions has resulted in a significant increase in finding good homes for cats. Our adoption rates are more than triple what they used to be. Every month we are adopting an average of 30 or more cats into good homes. Every cat that we adopt out makes room for one more that we can take in. In 2009, we will save the lives of more than 300 cats that would otherwise have faced certain death."

When I worked at the Hermitage 2005-2007, monthly adoption rates averaged 25-30 cats, with a bit more around the holidays, a bit less afterwards. You don't have to take my word for it -- the names of those adopted were publicly posted and celebrated, there are dozens of former volunteers and staffers who saw the same information. If this past month was a record of 40, how can that possibly be "more than triple what they used to be?"

Unless what they're comparing August to is not the time before they hired Ms. Spring, but instead "what they used to be" is only the past 15 months. That's the time period when they fired all but 1 of the staff; sacked 90% of the volunteers; publicly admitted to killing over 40 sanctuary cats; sued former employees, and threatened others; antagonized sponsors and donors until they fled to other animal rescue groups. And for some totally unrelated reason, adoptions plummeted. I don't think you get to pat yourself on the back for restoring adoption numbers to previous levels, when it was your own fault they declined to begin with. My 5th grade students can see the error in that logic.

I fail to see how adopting out cats is anything new or innovative. What was new, and continues to this day, was the banning of adoptions to large numbers of people due to personal grudges. Hardly a great stride or service to the community.

And if I had the budget that the Hermitage does, and only managed to adopt out 300 cats per year and provide sanctuary care for the remaining 50 permanent residents, I would be deeply embarrassed. When I think of how much more Casa de los Gatos, HOPE, FAIR, and other groups do with far, far less money, the Hermitage's record is even more shameful.

Check back here for a big announcement mid-week. Tom, Taylor and Ron, this weekend is your last opportunity to exit gracefully.