Letters to the Board Posts
2008-10-22: A Letter to the Board
Category: Letters to the Board
Posted by: admin
Taylor Heidenheim, do you know of ANY other nonprofit organization in the US that has 50 banned volunteers? Does that not give you reason to stop and wonder for a moment? Tom Tulowitzski, it's been a year since you said bringing in Ms. Spring was going to improve the financial status of the shelter, and grant-writing was going to save the day. Has that happened? Ron Zack, you are an attorney. Are you aware that Ms. Spring attended the public September AWASA meeting as the Hermitage representative, and in front of representatives from animal rescue groups from all over southern Arizona, repeatedly called the Save the Hermitage Coalition "terrorists"? Judy Showers, you seek a more stable, positive environment for the Hermitage, ask yourself if Ms. Spring has treated you in a way consistent with that goal, and then think about how she must treat those in positions below her when a board member is not present. Kenna Smith, ask yourself if you would want to work for a director who had fired or forced out every single paid employee over the past year, and gone through five managers. And then remember you are the boss of that director -- what is your obligation?
It is tough enough to make a go of an animal rescue group in good times. The combination of the bad publicity brought on by Ms. Spring's July grandstanding with the press, the very bad economy, and the loss of volunteer labor at the shelter and for fundraising is leading to serious economic hard times. None of the plans for a mobile clinic or new facility has borne fruit. You are bleeding money and running out of time.
The Hermitage has traditionally aligned itself with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, as the kind of organization it would like to be. Many Hermitage board members and staff have attended training there, and thought highly of them. They are independent and have no stake in what is happening here in Arizona. Ron Zack made clear you're not interested in using them as mediators, because you don't want to talk to us. But the board was not unanimous in that feeling, and a lot changes in three months. You do think highly of BFAS as an organization, and you must certainly realize that if you spoke to them in confidence, they would keep that confidence. What is the harm in asking them their opinion of your current situation, and what you can do to improve it? There is never anything to be lost by talking, and there is nothing to be lost by getting an outside perspective.
It is tough enough to make a go of an animal rescue group in good times. The combination of the bad publicity brought on by Ms. Spring's July grandstanding with the press, the very bad economy, and the loss of volunteer labor at the shelter and for fundraising is leading to serious economic hard times. None of the plans for a mobile clinic or new facility has borne fruit. You are bleeding money and running out of time.
The Hermitage has traditionally aligned itself with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, as the kind of organization it would like to be. Many Hermitage board members and staff have attended training there, and thought highly of them. They are independent and have no stake in what is happening here in Arizona. Ron Zack made clear you're not interested in using them as mediators, because you don't want to talk to us. But the board was not unanimous in that feeling, and a lot changes in three months. You do think highly of BFAS as an organization, and you must certainly realize that if you spoke to them in confidence, they would keep that confidence. What is the harm in asking them their opinion of your current situation, and what you can do to improve it? There is never anything to be lost by talking, and there is nothing to be lost by getting an outside perspective.
2008-06-17: Letters to the Hermitage Board -- Part 6
Category: Letters to the Board
Posted by: KatyH
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
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
2008-06-14: Paula Smith's Letter to the Hermitage Board
Category: Letters to the Board
Posted by: KatyH
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
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
2008-06-09: Letter to the Hermitage -- Part 2
Category: Letters to the Board
Posted by: KatyH
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
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
2008-06-09: Letters to the Hermitage Board - Part 1
Category: Letters to the Board
Posted by: KatyH
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
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
