Animal Rights' Activist - Let's Save Our Pets!

2009-07-22T14:39:00.003-04:00

Complaints against the West Volusia Humane Society have been going on for a long long time.

"Critics dog Humane Society,"
DeLand-Deltona Beacon, Erica Naone, June 12, 2001

"Some of the nonprofit organization's former board members charge that animals aren't being helped, and that money is being wasted. To travel the road behind Plymouth Avenue Landfill and pull in the entrance to the West Volusia Humane Society is to be assaulted by the dissonance of 60 barking dogs, the buzz of biting mosquitoes and the pungent odor of caged animals.

Dogs and cats are packed into every available nook and cranny; some run loose on the grounds, others are confined two to a kennel. At least one animal has languished in a cage there for eight years. Some see a heart-wrenching picture: a nonprofit organization struggling to do good deeds without enough money, help or space. But others see the symptoms of mismanagement so irresponsible that it is hurting the very animals the Humane Society is supposed to help.

'The shelter needs a total overhaul,' Janie Owens, a former member of the Humane Society board of directors, said.

Gloria Thomas, executive director of the West Volusia Humane Society, is an animal lover - even her critics agree with that. She is also the de facto head of an organization that is floundering without a functioning board of directors, and that is losing $8,000-$10,000 a month. The Humane Society has been forced to dip into assets it never had to call upon before - such as selling stock inherited from estates. Less than a year ago, there was $120,000 in assets on the books, Humane Society treasurer and accountant Amy Whitmarsh said. Today, about $30,000 remains - enough to keep the animal shelter running for about three months.

Owens and other former board members claim the assets are being spent irresponsibly, with little good being done for animals.'[Thomas] has mismanaged the funds terribly,' Owens said. 'The shelter is in poor repair, despite her husband supposedly being the maintenance man, and she is beyond control by any board.'

Thomas said she and the Humane Society are victims of a 'witch hunt,' constantly accused by former board members seeking to further their own glory. 'I'm not here for my glory,' she said. 'I'm just here for the animals.'

Those animals live in crowded conditions. Dogs live on the floor of the cat house, and birds in cages precariously near feline predators. A small pile of feces remains in the laundry room from its last occupant. But Thomas and her husband, Gary [Gary is DeLand's animal control officer and will be responsible for the new rescue group the city has begun], are proud of their kingdom. The wall behind the desk in the office is lined with ribbons shelter cats have won at shows. Gary Thomas points out Chew the bull mastiff, a family pet, who lives in the first kennel on the right. He is also proud of a limping dog he nursed back to health, and a three-legged dog that lives in a kennel nearby.

Gloria Thomas speaks lovingly of an injured animal that kept its head in her lap while she brought it into the shelter. She talks about what she considers 'what's really happening' at the Humane Society - the rescued animals and successful adoptions. She and her husband both speak of the horror of euthanasia. Before the shelter went no-kill in October 1999, it was equipped with five large freezers for storing the bodies. The freezers sometimes had to be emptied as often as twice a week. Gloria Thomas' eyes go wide as she explains, 'I just couldn't do it anymore.'

But some people question the humanity of what she decided to do instead. Since the shelter went no-kill, it also had to limit its admissions. Over the last few years, the West Volusia Humane Society lost its contracts with Volusia County and the City of DeLand to take in all stray animals picked up by animal-control officers. Lost with the contracts were a steady stream of incoming animals and funds. Its obligations to city and county government gone, the Humane Society became a no-kill shelter. In the days of the government contracts, the shelter took in as many as 30 animals a day, but without euthanasia, there's no space for that many new residents. The population stays relatively stagnant; Gloria Thomas said between one and five animals a week find homes. The other 200 or so animals wait in their cages.

It's not uncommon for animals to wait a year or more. It's not uncommon to see animals who have spent most of their lives at the Humane Society. Some animals there are sick. 'They keep these animals so long that if they're not infected when they get there, they certainly are when they leave,' said former board member Georgette Alin.

'I wouldn't go up there for anything,' said Sue Manning, who resigned in 1996 after 25 years on the board of directors. 'It's not a place that was built for a no-kill shelter.'

Kim Staton, a program coordinator for the Southeast Regional Office of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), said, 'We don't feel like indefinite confinement of an animal is humane or appropriate. ... Being confined like that goes against everything in a normal dog's nature.' Staton also said HSUS views a no-kill, or limited-admission, shelter as a supplement to - not a substitute for - a free-admission shelter. 'There's a need in every community to have a shelter that takes all animals in,' she said. Without a free-admission shelter nearby, Manning said, 'There's nowhere to run to.'

DeLand, the county and other cities now take stray animals to Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach. While serving on the board, Owens and Alin both questioned the strict nature of the West Volusia Humane Society's adoption policy; when a place is overflowing with animals, they said, it's not the time to extensively screen would-be pet owners. Animals that shelter workers can't or won't place in loving homes are taking the places of animals that now are taken to Halifax instead, where they may be euthanized.

Examples are Katie the Catahoula, who Gary Thomas said killed another dog at the DeLand shelter, and Chew. Both animals have been at the shelter since years before the no-kill policy began. Alin remembers the case of a woman who was discouraged from applying to adopt a boxer. The boxer was placed in a home two-and-a-half years later, according to Alin, after being treated for heartworms he didn't have when he arrived at the shelter.

Thomas explained she and shelter workers try to place each animal in a 'special home' - not just any home. 'These animals have been through enough,' she and her husband both said.

After a 1999 visit, HSUS's Staton made several recommendations: Animals of different species should be separated, cobwebs 'literally hanging in gobs from overhead light fixtures' should be cleaned away, the animal population should be cut by a third, rabbit cages should be cleaned, and the rabbits should be given access to water.

Last week, the rabbit cages appeared to have been cleaned, but the cobwebs remained, and the animals were packed-in tighter than they were when Staton visited. No one questions that Gloria Thomas cares about animals - Alin remembers her hand-feeding a litter of sick puppies - but Alin questions Thomas' ability to do the job of executive director, to care for the shelter as an organization.

Another longtime board member, Kathy Kasper, said she resigned after 'there were too many changes being made without votes being taken.' Kasper and Manning said the shelter had always been run by the board, but that the board began to lose control once Thomas came on the scene.

One by one, board members began to resign. When asked why they didn't band together to stop change they didn't like, Kasper said, 'Changes were made a little at a time. You won't say we were stupid - we were naive.'

Manning said, 'Sometimes people are afraid to oppose.' Slowly, the board stopped following its own rules. What had been a board of 17 dwindled to eight, then to three. Elections stopped, and most of the remaining board members had never been elected to begin with.Meanwhile, concerned about a lack of documentation and financial oversight, Alin and other board members began to question Thomas' decisions.The board held a special meeting and laid out a list of requests for Thomas, including copies of accurate financial records and an explanation for the number of animals that had been caged for so many years.

According to Alin and Owens, Thomas never obeyed the requests.Immediately after the special meeting, the vice president, Pat Hawk, canceled the next board meeting, questioning the legitimacy of the board. This was in May 2000. Attorneys Eric Gill and Stacy Eckert came on the scene at the request of two board members. Several meetings were held, but nothing was resolved.

When the smoke cleared, nothing was left. The attorneys said the organization was in danger, as the board's legitimacy was in question. The bylaws, ignored for so long, made requirements for board members that no one was able to meet. To vote in elections, members were required to attend a certain number of meetings per year, but not enough meetings were being held. The attorneys recommended elections be held as soon as possible, as much in accordance with the bylaws as possible, but no elections were held. Instead, some members of the board washed their hands of the Humane Society, and others stayed, seemingly content to let sleeping dragons lie. Only three members now sit on the board: Violet Gonzales, Whitmarsh and Crystal Littler.

Neither Gonzales, Whitmarsh, nor Thomas remembers the last time elections were held. Only Whitmarsh is listed on the nonprofit corporation's latest filing with the Florida secretary of state. The May 2001 corporate update lists Gail Wilkins as president, Hawk as vice president, Whitmarsh as treasurer and Owens as secretary. Thomas said that of the four, only Whitmarsh is a board member.'The truth of the matter is,' she said, 'that we are operating with people who care for the animals and people who do help us.

'Of past troubles on the board, she said, 'They want to get in their political war, they're going to get in their political war. ... They all forgot what the main purpose was - the animals.' But attorney Eckert said an election is more than a formality.' If they can't tell you when the last time they had an election was, then it's a problem,' he said.

As Eckert explained, this leaves the Humane Society in a condition called 'ultra vires' - beyond its legal power.' It's kind of strange to me,' Eckert said, 'that you have a group that's out there, and they know there's a problem, but they don't seem to be doing anything to fix it. 'If the board were found illegitimate, Eckert said, their decisions would also be illegitimate. This means the money the board spends, or the changes it makes to the shelter, could be called into question by anyone - and there is precious little protection in place for acting board members or the executive director. Without a board, the executive is running a 'headless organization,' Eckert said.

Whitmarsh said that over the 10 years she has served the Humane Society, she slowly took on more responsibility for the organization's finances.Whitmarsh said she isn't familiar with the day-to-day operation of the shelter, but she is completely in charge of the finances. 'I've gotten in this position basically by default,' Whitmarsh said.

As for board members who called for more financial oversight, 'It just always seems they're looking for something, but they're not willing to help,' Whitmarsh said. 'The records are open.' Orange City accountant Greg LeFils said a situation like the one Whitmarsh is in could be dangerous for an accountant. 'The person who is the treasurer has absolutely no defense,' he said. LeFils said nonprofit organizations should always set up an oversight system that has a third party as a watchdog.

Whitmarsh said, as far as she knows, the Humane Society's books have never been audited - certainly not over the past 10 years. The organization couldn't afford $5,000-$10,000 for an audit, she said. According to the 1992 bylaws, which attorneys and board members agree are the closest to official the Humane Society has, the board is not allowed to liquidate more than 10 percent of the Humane Society's assets within a 12-month period. In the last year, acting board members have liquidated approximately 75 percent of the shelter's assets, according to Whitmarsh.

Asked about financial plans, Whitmarsh said the society hopes to receive more donations and bequests from its supporters, and has taken steps to start a thrift store. Of the Humane Society's condition, Alin said, 'It's really sad because the animals were really the big losers.' Kasper said, 'I do feel bad for the animals that are left behind over there,' but is glad she's chosen to volunteer her time elsewhere.

Thomas shrugs off concerns as coming from people who don't have the animals' best interests in mind. 'They can try to hurt an institution that's been here since 1955 because they didn't get their way,' she said. 'Too bad somebody doesn't put the good stuff in the paper.'

Alin is sure many more people could come forward with concerns. 'There are a lot of people out there, who are former board members, who know a lot, but just won't come forward,' she said."

SO ASK YOURSELF, WHAT'S CHANGED OUT THERE???

Trixie's Story

2009-07-07T13:39:00.006-04:00

"The longer Trixie stayed at the West Volusia Humane Society the thinner and more ill she got. Gloria [Director Thomas] was getting a lot of static from the volunteers, that is why she finally surrendered her to me. You know, out of sight out of mind. Also at that time Gloria really liked me (when I was so blind). It is sad that Trixie's life was wasted. I just remember all the animals that died needlessly the short time I volunteered."

By Judy Ziegler

Why won't someone shut down the West Volusia Inhumane Society?

2009-06-04T23:50:00.001-04:00

Good question! Because it is private and anything goes. as for the truth? everything written is raw truth!!!!!!!

Employees of Veterinary Hospital Visit the WV Humane Society

2009-05-31T12:40:00.006-04:00

By Amy Neiman and Judy Bushee

"...We observed a small glass room filled with birds. The very small cages they were living in were FILTHY. It was obvious to me that it had been quite a long time since any of the cages had been properly cleaned. The bottoms of the cages were caked with fecal matter. The food and water bowls were dirty. The dowels for the birds to stand on were dirty and too small for their feet causing the birds to tightly have to grip the perch which is not good for their toes. ALL the birds had plucked their feathers (some more than others) due to stress and what appeared to be a very poor diet. The cages were rusted and in overall POOR condition for these birds to live in on a permanent basis. These exotic birds were being fed what appeared to be wild bird seed.

I asked about adopting a bird and was told "none of these animals are for adoption. We keep them around so when we have children come in they can see them."

The rabbits' cage was no bigger than the animal itself. This was very sad to see. It was a long haired light brown rabbit and totally matted. His cage was resting on top of a bird's cage. No water observed."

From Maggi Hall: FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital and ARK offered to adopt the birds. I was told that the birds were used for "educational purposes." Mrs. Thomas refused to clarify. A rabbit rescue group from Gainesville offered to adopt the rabbits. Director Thomas refused both offers. Evidently she would rather hoard these animals than find good homes for them. As for educational purposes or to show children, since a sex offender works at the facility it is illegal for childrens' classes to be held on site.

Now why does she want to incarcerate animals that could easily be adopted? Remember: It is far easier to hoard than it is to aggressively adopt. Then also reading between the lines may help in drawing even deeper more significant conclusions like "Where the heck is all the money going that people donate to that shelter?"

Does Director Thomas Control the Media?

2009-05-23T08:47:00.005-04:00

Photo is my eviction notice from the sheriff's department.

Last month I took a Beacon reporter to the West Volusia Humane Society so she could write an article on the city's attempt to move to a No Kill thus Humane Community. Of course Mrs. Thomas was nowhere to be seen but within 10 minutes her employee had evidently called her because she came roaring down the dirt road-in her car of course. Or was that just a coincidence that she appeared so quickly? I had warned the reporter though that Thomas was rarely on site.

As the reporter snapped photos Thomas stormed over to us and demanded to know what we were doing there. (Oh people can't visit the shelter and take photos?)

I explained that the reporter was going to write a story because the city was thinking about leasing some of the empty delapidated kennels for animals her husband, Gary Thomas, animal control officer for DeLand, picks up! Isn't that convenient?

She told us that if the reporter wanted an interview she was to call her in advance and set up a time - like the shelter is closed to public access?

At any rate we continued our tour of the place as the reporter snapped photo after photo of sad caged animals. I pointed out to her that they had changed the kennel cards so no one could tell when the animals arrived. That was convenient because now no one can prove that many had been caged for up to 7 years.

Mrs. Thomas went into her office and made a phone call. Within a few minutes who should arrive but a deputy sheriff. He hunted me up and informed me that I was to be FOREVER BANNED from the West Volusia Humane Society. Ahhh......was Gloria getting scared? Were we closing in on the truth?

While I signed the notice agreeing never to darken the drab filthy destitute animal prison again the reporter snapped a few photographs of me signing while Gloria's volunteers did the same.

That really infuriated Mrs. Thomas! She stormed inside and called the Beacon! We left. And quite frankly I laughed all the way out of that place because Mrs. Thomas proved my point to the reporter: Something very strange has been going on at the West Volusia Humane Society that has absolutely nothing to do with saving animals' lives.

Well, the reporter then emailed the photos to the Beacon. But within a few hours Mrs. Thomas was back on the phone again threatening to sue the paper if those photographs were published. She also called DeLand's City Manager to complain about me but Mr. Pleus explained that he was interested in a story being written and he had encouraged the reporter's visit.

Did a story and photo appear in the Beacon? Nope!

Several weeks later TV Channel 13 contacted me for an interview regarding the strange occurrences at the "shelter" (and I use that term with tongue in cheek). He then interviewed Susan Pepper-Bates who had tried for quite some time to adopt an animal. The reporter told us to watch the evening news. We did.

Did the story appear on TV Channel 13? Nope!

When I called the reporter the next day to ask why no story he responded: "When I went to talk to Mrs. Thomas about ARK [Animal Rescue Konsortium] and FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital offering to buy all the animals, clear out the shelter so she could start all over again and work with the city, she denied that you [Maggi] had ever presented her with a contract. My editor said there were evidently discrepancies in the situation." (In other words sounds like Maggi and Susan are liars!!)

I offered to give him a copy of emails between Mrs. Thomas and myself proving that she did indeed have a copy of the contract signed by both ARK and FloridaWild.

Did TV Channel 13 request the documents? Nope!

QUERY: Does Mrs. Thomas controls the media? Are they afraid of her?

Personal Insults Contribute Nothing

2009-05-20T04:17:00.007-04:00

Some of those sending in their "comments" are choosing to personally insult others that have nothing to do with this public discussion. I am rejecting their remarks because they are liable and of course those making the comments always sign "anonymous!" Now if you want to write hate mail to me, bring it one. It rolls off my back like the old saying goes "water off a duck's back."

When people resort to Argumentum ad Hominem their arguments are generally illogical and have no basis in truth. Such is some of the junk mail coming in. Those writing insults that are not based on visible fact please save your time. I start to read your comments and about half through a sentence I see the blistering hatred without any semblance of truth - and zap - I do not waste my time reading further. You are deleted.

My suggestion to those who write insults and sign "anonymous:" Why don't you contribute to a healthy discussion of the ills of the WVHS? Or better yet, get out there and clean the place up and GET THOSE ANIMALS ADOPTED!

I have the proof and so do all those who have worked there - paid and volunteer - that the majority of the animals are incarcerated for life and that money donated to the organization DOES NOT GET SPENT ON WHAT PEOPLE ARE DONATING IT FOR!!!

PROVE ME WRONG!

A Picture Says It All

2009-05-20T04:08:00.003-04:00

Photographs - the truth - contribute to a healthy discussion of what is wrong with the West Volusia Humane Society. WVHS's tax returns for 2007 indicated over $100,000 in revenue after expenses. WHERE IS THAT MONEY GOING? Surely not for fixing up that disgusting place.

A Former Employee of the WVHS Speaks Out!

2009-05-15T05:15:00.006-04:00

Animals at the West Volusia Humane Society languish in cages never to be loved, played with, or feel sunlight or fresh air. They are not allowed to be adopted by Director Thomas and her buddies on "her" board. What a farce these people are. (M. Hall)

This is my account of my time spent being involved with West Volusia Humane Society by Linda Claussen.

"I first became acquainted with the WVHS Director, Gloria Thomas in November of 1999
when I went to the WVHS to place a kitten we could not find a home for up for adoption. Mrs. Thomas was sitting at the front desk when I entered the building and she nor any of the other employees sitting around seemed to acknowledge the fact that I had even entered the building. When I asked her to speak to someone about placing a kitten for adoption she abruptly told me they had no room and that I could be put on a waiting list and would be notified. I left my phone number and took the kitten back home with me.

Some time passed and in January of 2000 I called to see if there had been a vacancy so I could bring the kitten and she told me to bring the kitten to the shelter. She was quite cordial when I arrived and registered the kitten with my information. I told her before I left that if there was anything I could ever do for the shelter to let me know.

I am not sure of the exact time frame, I think March 2000, Mrs. Thomas called to ask if I would be interested in coming to work for the shelter. I spoke with her about what I would be asked to do and she said that I would be speaking with prospective adopters and answering the phone. I believe I went to work some time in April 2000.

Things were going well but Mrs. Thomas kept coming to work later and taking more time off. On several occasions I was told to tell people who were waiting to adopt that the person responsible for drawing blood to do testing was on sick leave and that no adoptions would be completed until she was back to work.

At that time, Mrs. Thomas was coming in around 2 or 3 p.m. and visiting with the workers from 3 p.m. until around 4:30 p.m. when they would go back to work readying the kennels and cats for evening by topping off water and food for cats, cleaning out any litter boxes that were dirty, and scooping poop and feeding the dogs their evening meal.

The longer I was there the more I questioned, in my own mind, why the place seemed to keep deteriorating and more and more animals were being “held” when they had viable applications, especially the “office cats” and the “office dogs” who were never offered for adoption for whatever reason Mrs. Thomas gave on any given day.

When I questioned Mrs. Thomas about this I was told that the people had given false information or that there had to be a house visit performed to make sure they had not lied about where the animal was going to be kept. And there was always, and more often as time went on, the old excuse that the woman who draws the blood is out sick and we have no one else to draw the blood for the testing. As to the deteriorating condition of the place in general I was told by Mrs. Thomas that there was not enough money to fix the place up and take care of the animals both.

I also had spoken to her about needing volunteers to do fundraising, something I had started on weekends when I was not working at the shelter. We did volunteer workshops but none of the volunteers stayed very long because when they made suggestions for fundraising Mrs. Thomas would always find an excuse why we could not do what was suggested. I continued to go to fundraisers we were invited to by myself, Mrs. Thomas showing up occasionally but having to leave after an hour or less, unless there was a person of importance she wanted to impress, then she would stay longer.

I believe in early 2003 Mrs. Thomas asked me to work for her at the new thrift store she was about to open on Hwy. 17. As I was pretty disillusioned by happenings at the WVHS I readily agreed. She assured me that there would be help and that all proceeds after expenses were to be sent to WVHS. I was to be paid $5.25 per hour, 10 cents more than at the shelter and the shelter was to pay my wages. I was also told that if there was anything that I saw that I could use at my home I was welcome to take it home with me without paying for it.

I think I started at the Angel of Hope thrift store some time in April of 2003. Things started out well with many people bringing in donations and more and more people coming to shop. By 2004, working 5 and 6 days a week (only 2 volunteers came one day a week to help) and being quite overwhelmed by incoming items, having no cooling system in the hottest weather, and no help with sorting and pricing, I again was looking for a way to get out of the place.

I stayed through the winter with no heat and into the year 2005 when things really went bad. The ceiling in one of the offices fell in from water coming through the roof, the water system went down so I had no drinking water unless I brought bottled with me, the toilet quit working, and the only way I had to contact anyone was with my cell phone.

In April of 2005 my father became ill and I told Mrs. Thomas I would have to go back to Indiana and was not sure for how long so I gave my notice which she accepted. I do not know much about the thrift store after that, only that they finally closed some time in 2006, I think.

To this day I am not sure any of the money taken in ever went to WVHS. On December 17, 2008 I went to the office of Amy Whitmarsh, the accountant for WVHS, and turned in all items I had that belonged to WVHS. I received a receipt in the amount of $477.71 for cash turned in from petty cash I always kept at my house. There were several animal paintings that had not sold, many pieces of literature for the WVHS, any fliers I had made over the years, and a CD that contained all of the animal art including pictures of all animal artists and a story that was on the back of all cards sold.

The saddest part of this is that if Mrs. Thomas and the other workers at WVHS had been dedicated to the animals and finding them new homes, I probably would still be helping in some way. The suffering I have seen and kept quiet about saddens me deeply. I hope that telling this now will in some way help those poor animals get the help they deserve and maybe even new homes with people who will love them and care for them with undying devotion until their last breath."

Linda Claussen

Poor Bobo.... WVHS, 7

2009-05-06T17:24:00.007-04:00

Here's Bobo, a healthy cutie. This photo was taken May '09 at the West Volusia Humane Society, the organization that brags to the IRS: "The West Volusia Humane Society’s sole purpose is to adopt to a loving family as many animals as possible...."

But guess what? Little Bobo has been at that "loving" shelter for almost two years! Do you think anyone has tried to adopt that healthy baby? Yes someone did and here is Rhonda Blair's story in her own words.

"I went there first in 2004. A man showed me a shaggy black and tan puppy thinking I might would want it. I did not take the puppy at that time because emotionally I was not ready (having just lost a beloved pet). A bull mastiff was laying in her own urine, a doberman's toenails were curled in a circle they were so long, some dogs had open wounds, some were sooo emaciated! They had nothing to lay on and some had been there for years! I was devastated and felt deep sorrow so deep I could not return for a long time.

I went back about a year later ('05) and the shaggy puppy was now an adult and still in the same spot! I asked to take her out and the way he got her out was shocking! He pinned her down like she was an attack dog or something. I soon realized she wasn't the problem. It was the way they are there. I asked to put an application on her and they tole me she was already taken. I asked to put an app on the bull mastiff laying in her urine, they told me she belonged to the shelter.

I returned in 2007. Seems some things never change. I talked to a man named Terry. I wanted to adopt Bobo, an american bulldog and I simply could not get a straight answer from this guy. He said there was an app on him. You fill out an app and there is a 48 hour wait. I asked when was the app put in and he could not answer. I asked to adopt a white puppy and he said it was too young. I asked its age and he said about three months. I said how old does it have to be. His answer was 4 months because they will not neuter it before that. I know that is not true. I asked to adopt a daschund. He said we just got it in a few days ago and we will be taking apps for about a week. What happened to first come first serve? I asked to adopt a bichon and he said no, she was 12 years old. I got the feeling something just wasn't right. You would think they would want these animals to get adopted. Seems they do whatever they can to prevent it! (June 2008)"

I emailed Rhonda the photograph of Bobo last week. Her reply back to me was, "Yes, that's the dog I wanted to adopt two years ago and they refused." (April 2009)

Bobo, adoptable and desperately wanted was denied "a loving family" by the loving West Volusia Humane Society.

Wonder why??????

REBUTTAL TO INCORRECT BLOGGER COMMENTS

2009-05-04T14:32:00.005-04:00

First, Bobo's story is coming in a few days as is Trixie's. Life's been busy lately rescuing abandoned companion pets.

To Those Who Comment: Please make sure you read the blog carefully. No where did I write that Miss Piggy was blind! And of course she's being cared for now.

For goodness sakes I visited in 2008 when she was in dire need of attention. Once I made her condition public she was clipped, cleaned, though continued to rest in that nasty barn. But thank goodness the farm animals did get cleaner water containers.

So bloggers, be careful. Be thoughtful. Read before you speak and then make sure you speak factually! Otherwise it kinda makes you look foolish..............

Offer to Adopt All the Animals - WVHS 6

2009-04-27T05:18:00.008-04:00

Below is a copy of a proposal from Animal Rescue Konsortium and FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital to adopt all the animals at the shelter at the market rate, empty out the kennels and cat houses and bird cages and allow the West Volusia Humane Society to start over.

Do you wonder why Mrs. Gloria Thomas, Director, refused to sign? She gave no explanation, just refused to allow the animals to be rescused. A year later the majority of them still sit in their cages - waiting.

Gloria Thomas, Director
West Volusia Humane Society, Inc.
800 Humane Society Road
DeLand FL 32720
30th July 2008

Dear Gloria:

Our meeting with you today was extremely productive. We believe that you sincerely want to work with organizations that will assist the WVHS in the adoption of its animals. And we definitely want to work with you. Please accept the following proposals from our non-profit organization and from FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital in DeLand:

1. Animal Rescue Konsortium, Inc. (a non-profit) and FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital will be allowed to adopt animals at the standard fee from the WVHS. These agencies would then locate homes for the animals - birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, etc. Both have stringent adoption policies just as the WVHS.

2. ARK will seek donations to help with the full vetting required before animals go to a real home.

3. FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital will offer for adopted dogs a 2 week training course and a month's medical insurance - FREE.

4. The standard adoption fee for each of these organizations will be charged to defray expenses. No one will profit from this humanitarian enterprise. The goal is to empty out the West Volusia Humane Society as quickly as possible. And in so doing make room for more unwanted pets.

5. FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital has constant demands for small dogs and birds so the hospital is ready to begin the adoption process immediately for birds and small dogs. The hospital manager, knowledgeable about birds, will be visiting the WVHS this week to familiarize herself with the breeds available. Obviously all of the birds are adoptable.

6. FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital has a Wellness Center adjacent to its facility. It will offer monthly Pet-A-Thons on site for the public to view adoption animals. Children and adults will intermingle in a warm environment with these animals. Each month it will assist the WVHS by taking several of the animals to the Wellness Center for viewing.

7. We ask that you and a representative from each city and from the county meet with the above organizations, other interested veterinarians, and rescue organizations to discuss establishing a feral cat colony adjacent to the WVHS facilities. There is no need to reinvent the wheel by building a new facility. However the WVHS facility does need a face lift and we believe that we can write grants and receive donations to remedy this situation.

8. Write grants, raise funds to rehab the buildings, and construct a large exercise pen.

9. request that a representative from Animal Rescue Konsortium, Inc. be added to the board of the WVHS.

In closing, we look forward to working with you in facilitating a swift and permanent solution to the overwhelming crisis we have – that of abandoned pets and their need to find permanent homes and to reduce the cost to taxpayers who are paying thousands and thousands of dollars to have healthy animals killed.

Sincerely,
_________________________ ___________________________
Erin Holder, DVM Maggi Hall, President
FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital Animal Rescue Konsortium, Inc.

_________________________
Gloria Thomas, Director
West Volusia Human Society

Miss PIggy Suffered - WVHS, 5

2009-04-26T18:15:00.029-04:00

“The West Volusia Humane Society’s sole purpose is to adopt to a loving family as many animals as possible. To do this the shelter cleans, feeds and houses many variety [sic] of animals. Typically cats and dogs. The shelter pays for all of the food and vet fees for animals that need this. The personnel to maintain the shelter is also included in these expenses. When the animals are adopted if they have not been spayed or neutered the adoption fee goes towards the process of getting this animal fixed.”

From "Statement of Program Service Accomplishments, 2007 Tax Returns"

Sure about that statement as fact? Truth? Take a look at Miss Piggy above as a classic example of an animal that was in desperate need and has yet to be adopted. Last summer when I visited the shelter I noticed that her nails were so terribly long that they curled up under her feet - she could barely walk. Can you imagine how you'd feel if your toe nails curled up under your feet? Do you think it would hurt? I wrote a scathing email to county council accusing the shelter of improper care of the pig. A couple of days later a veterinarian arrived to clip back the nails.

Also notice the filthy water. After sending those photos to county council and across the county the shelter did do a bit of cleaning. Mrs. Gloria Thomas, director, also padlocked the gate so visitors couldn't get in to visit with the goats and chickens and Miss Piggy or see the insulation hanging down from the ceiling of the barn where they lived in filth. Maybe that's finally been cleaned.

The 2007 tax returns for the shelter show income of $235,000 and expenses of $134,000! The accountant, Amy Whitmarsh, got paid almost $9,000. And Mrs. Thomas got a remarkable $31,000, yet documents from former volunteers say she was rarely on site. What is even more amazing is that the telephone bill for that tiny little shelter was almost $2,000! Hmmmmm.

The return also indicates that $13,000 came from MEMBERSHIP dues yet Mrs. Thomas and her "board" did away with the membership this year. Are they so flush with money they could afford to give up the potential for another $10,000 or more in membership!? Of course they only discontinued membership AFTER my investigation was made public! Was that a coincidence? Was it to stop members from having access to the financial records?

The accountant makes almost $9,000 yet there is very little work to do in keeping those books. I do know that she is good at stonewalling. As a life member (and I was also a corporate sponsor) I requested access to the financial records. Mrs. Whitmarsh refused. And she did so in writing. In fact she referred me to Attorney Mike Teal, stating that he was handling rewriting the shelter's by-laws. A letter from Mr. Teal refuted Whitmarsh's claim.

Are you curious about where all that money is going????? And are you curious as to why I was refused access to the financial records?

The County Ignores - WVHS, 4

2009-04-24T04:30:00.006-04:00

Fiberglass insulation dripping down from the barn's
ceiling where pigs and goats sleep!

24th April 2009

Dear Chairman Bruno and County Commissioners:

I write this letter with deep concern for what is happening to the animals in Volusia County. You are aware for over a year that I have been contacting you as a taxpayer and animal rescue advocate (and someone who built a veterinary hospital) regarding adopting the No Kill Movement in the county, thus saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. You have not responded to this call.

DeLand's city manager requested I make a presentation regarding ideas to implement saving taxpayers' money as well as animals' lives. Commissioner Kelly was there and seemed genuinely interested. I made a notebook and gave it to him. As yet nothing has happened.

Now I learn that you are considering putting Gloria Thomas on the animal control board. And you are aware that for over a year I have been decrying the conditions and suspicions about that place - suspicions that now are backed up with proof, written complaints with contact information amended.

I have been a life member of the WVHS since 1999 but conveniently my name disappeared from the roster last year after I began my investigation. When I requested financial records from the non-profit which, as a member, I have a right to do, their accountant, Amy Whitmarsh, refused me those records. I discovered that they had been operating illegally the last 5 years with only 2 members on their board (non-profits are required to have a minimum of 3 members). The board members were a most elderly woman and, of all things, Amy Whitmarsh, who makes more than $7,000 annually as their accountant, an extreme amount of money for such a small organization.

When our CPA visited Whitmarsh in December and warned her that a tsunami was about to hit the WVHS she and Gloria added 2 more board members, so now Gloria Thomas, director of the WVHS, sits on the board. IN OTHER WORDS, GLORIA IS HER OWN BOSS!

And even more telling and most suspicious is that the board voted to do away with membership. They returned, registered mail at a cost of almost $5 per envelope, all the donations and membership applications that a group had sent in this year. Is that not telling? But it makes sense!! If there is no membership then they have no one to answer to and no members can request documents.

Now to top it off their Articles of Incorporation specifically state that only the membership can vote to change the by-laws but in fact there was no member meeting to change the by-laws yet the by-laws were changed any way.

When DeLand decided to initiate a plan that would eventually lead to a No Kill City, they contacted the WVHS to attempt to lease kennels and a cat room - a suggestion that I gave them through my presentation. The Beacon was planning to write an article about this fantastic program and I took the reporter out there to view the property. Gloria, as usual, was nowhere to be seen, but within 10 minutes came roaring up the drive-way. I introduced her to the reporter and her response was, "If you want to do an interview you need to set up a time with me first." That's not how one behaves when a paper wants to write something positive about what is happening for animals.

The photographer took photos and Gloria went inside, called the sheriff's department, and when a deputy arrived, had me evicted forever from the property. Well of course that is odd since I had offered to adopt every single animal totaling almost $8,000 and find homes for them. In other words, I wrote up a contract with FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital that ARK, our non-profit, would adopt all the animals over a short time frame emptying out the shelter to make room for more animals and in return give them thousands of dollars. The veterinary hospital would medicate all animals for free. Gloria refused to sign the contract. Now does that make sense? No of course not unless you see deeper and deeper into the actions of rejecting the outright adoption of all animals. I will let you draw your own conclusions for now. You will receive a copy of the contract signed by ARK and FloridaWild.

Another issue is that breeders or anyone who profits in any way through animal ownership should not sit on the board. That is obviously a conflict of interest.

And yet another issue: Karen Clark came before you Thursday and publicly accused me of lying. This is a serious allegation that I have taken up with my attorney and for which she will be hearing from him. She has no evidence to that effect and is liable for slander.

I will bring to you documents today to substantiate what I have written. I have many more but I think that to bring you everything would be overwhelming and you do not have time for that. If, however, you wish to review all the documents in my possession or contact others, please let me know.

Another concern is this: If you need people to volunteer for the board, why isn't that advertised? There are numerous highly qualified, highly intelligent people who would be more than honored to serve in this capacity; people who cannot financially benefit by manipulating rules and regulations regarding animals.

Hoarding at the Shelter - WVHS, 3

2009-04-22T11:12:00.018-04:00

Look very closely at this card and you will notice 8/6/02 written in the top right hand corner. That date indicates when this lab mix was taken to the "shelter!" I took this photograph 8/2/08. Six years Scamp had been there wasting away in that awful place. One might ask, "Does the West Volusia Humane Society solicit adoptees? And does it do so aggressively? Or does it warehouse animals and if so for what purpose?"

I documented 30 dogs at the shelter that day which had been there at least a year and up to 7 years!! 4 were undocumented. As for the cats, there were so many that documentation would have taken several hours and as it was I was not welcomed there and needed to hurry on with my adoption process!

Several weeks passed (which is amazing because if a shelter really wants to adopt out pets it moves the process along) and finally someone called to say she was coming to inspect my home. Judy Gillette and Karen Clark arrived with adoption application in hand! And what do you know? I had requested Casper the Bishon and a lab mix. BUT my application form had been changed and in the top right hand corner was written in another hand, 2 PIT BULLS. "So I see you want two pit bulls," claimed Judy.

"Uh, no, I don't think they'd get along with my two dogs. Let me see that adoption form." I looked at it and told them someone had changed my application form. Of course they denied the claim but I told them I'd go back out and see the animals again to make sure I had the ones I wanted. I also asked for a copy of the application form but alas, they were unable to give it to me.

Back out to that dreaded place to lay claim, again, to Casper. I decided to rescue only one dog. How stupid. A YEAR LATER THE LAB MIX IS STILL THERE!!!! Casper was a disgusting mess physically. However, when Judy and Karen brought him to my house the following week he had been shaved, his skin infection finally treated. He ran around my house, jumped on my furniture as if to exclaim, "Thank you for releasing me from prison." That darling dog had been caged for 7 months.

I took him to my veterinarian who exclaimed, "His teeth are rotten! I have to pull most of them! Has he seen a vet?" I called the humane society and asked if he'd been under a doctor's care. "Of course," came the reply, "he was on medication for his skin." "then I want a copy of his medical records," I stated.

Several weeks later Judy called to say she wanted to come back to my house to take a photo of Casper and me. I told her she could do that as soon as his hair had grown back but in the meantime I wanted a copy of his medical records as they had told me he was seen by a veterinarian. I waited. No records were forthcoming. I emailed and requested the info again, something that I had every right to do. Judy emailed me that she wanted a photo and I told her you'll have the photo when I have the medical records.

Of the four of us filling out applications that day to adopt cats and dogs only one person got an animal - me. Yet the other women were wonderful caregivers and animal people. My take on that is they knew they'd better give me a dog or else. And probably they assumed that would shut me up.

Did I ever get the medical records? NO! Is that the way an animal shelter should operate? I'll let you decide as further revelations unfold......

Where Is the Money Going? - WVHS, 2

2009-04-18T13:16:00.021-04:00

One has to wonder with all the donations the WVHS receives, and they do, why they don't clean up the place? According to the director they have lots of volunteers and the money seems to be flowing in. Yet the "shelter" sports shabby signs, a disgusting "welcoming" gate, trash heaps, beat-up trailer and storage sheds, and more. Walk behind the grotesque kennels to find even more junk. Doesn't seem to me to be a very enticing place to encourage people to visit to adopt a pet and save a life!

According to Cynthia, a long-time volunteer at the "shelter" the kennels in early 2007 were in foul shape. Thankfully several volunteers rolled up their sleeves and improved the environment for the dogs.

By spring of 2008 dozens of people called me to voice their concerns about the place. My response was "Put your complaints in writing. And get photos." A picture is worth a thousand words and complaints with names amended hold even greater weight. There were quite a few "anonymous" complaints but those also were helpful. Two "Deep Throats" who were involved in law enforcement and the judicial system and had volunteered at the "shelter" also gave intriguing information and sage advice. As the sad stories mounted I became determined that something must be done for those lonely, depressed, isolated, and unhealthy animals warehoused far from the public eye.

Two reoccuring complaints through the months of research were: (1) "The director, Gloria Thomas, is never there. She lets a couple of men run the place;" and (2) "Animals rarely get adopted."

Hmmm.... Now surely we could solve the second issue. The first needed to be tackled by the shelter's board members. And since I was a life member (though strangely my name eventually disappeared from the membership list as well as my company's name and logo as a corporate sponsor!) I decided to obtain the names of the board and contact them regarding the complaints I had received. (More on this later including the job description for the shelter director.)

In June four of us went to the shelter to adopt as many cats and dogs as were allowed. And amazingly complaint #2 kicked in: Mrs. Thomas, not on site, within minutes came roaring through the shabby gate and up the dirt circular drive. The director had arrived! Since she lived a few minutes from the place it was easy for her to get to work quickly. Obviously one of the men in the office had grabbed the phone when we appeared to alert her to our presence.

We introduced ourselves and told her that we were there to adopt animals. While Charlotte, Maeda, and Sherry filled out adoption forms I ventured into a kennel with my camera and began taking photos of all those sad innocent creatures. The dogs watched with excited anticipation, tails waging, rubbing against the cage, showing off, silently pleading, "Please take me. Please take me."

Just then one of the male employees burst through the kennel door hollering, "You can't take pictures in here!" He grabbed my camera and the dogs began to howl, jumping up the walls and gates of their kennels. It was cacophony as if they were afraid of him, angry at his mere presence, his tone, the sound of his voice. Why I wondered were they so distraught?

I snatched my camera away replying, "I'll take all the photos I want. You're not going to stop me!" He stormed off to tell Mrs. Thomas.

Sherry filled out my application form while I took photos. I'd selected two dogs - Casper, a filthy matted little Bichon with so much spirit I had to rescue him and a darling Lab mix. It was heartbreaking not being able to select all the dogs for redemption.

As I walked out of the kennel, watching the dogs climbing the walls in misery, and past the cat cages - remembering the cat house where cats never, never, never benefit from fresh air and sunshine - I noticed little cards attached to the cage doors. I stopped to read one of the cards then went into the office to ask what the information meant.

Upon hearing the explanation tears of grief flowed down my checks and my resolve to do something even more deeply imbedded in my soul.

MORE TO COME...........

West Volusia Humane Society Revealed - WVHS, 1

2009-04-15T14:09:00.025-04:00

Casper sat matted, filthy, teeth rotting in a concrete kennel for almost a year. He had no heat during the winter months and was never allowed to run free. He had no free access to the out-of-doors. He was an inmate at the West Volusia Humane Society until I descended on that place with seven concerned citizens attempting to adopt dozens of forgotten dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. But first let's start at the beginning.....

Since 2007 I'd heard rumors of "warehousing" animals at the WVHS rather than implementing an aggressive adoption program but I had never put much stock in rumors. Why would a shelter want to keep animals indefinately rather than adopt them out? That made no sense! I'd also heard accusations and horror stories about the WVHS but I hadn't gone for a visit. Just more rumors. I'd been a life member since 1999 after reading in the Beacon that the "shelter" had gone "No Kill!" But I didn't find out until this year just why it had become a no kill facility. Oh how trusting we often are....

During part of 2006 and 2007 I placed ads in the Pennysaver at my own expense: "Adopt a Pet. Save a Life. Call the West Volusia Humane Society. 386. 735.2450." After some months I called the humane society to ask if my ads were paying off, if more animals were being adopted? The flat reply from a male voice, "Uh, yeah."

After that uninterested and unprofessional answer I drove out to see the place. And what I observed the summer of '07 made my eyes fill with tears. Stench. Animals lying in their urine and feces. Flies. No air conditioning. No outdoor runs. Misery and suspicion. Animals with sores. Animals with no means to run free, half crazed because of containment. It was so revolting that I left crying, vowing never to return. At that point I was plain stupid to not realize that something really could be done to save those innocent and suffering creatures.

Six months later I garnered enough courage to revisit the shelter. Nothing had changed. And amazingly the same dogs were there that I'd seen on my last visit. Adoption of animals? Nah...... "Hmmm, what's really happening at the 'humane shelter' that claims it cares for animals?"

A new year dawned, 2008, and with it my resolve to investigate the WVHS. Word spread among animal lovers regarding my public curiosity and my opinion of a place that I had financially supported - a place I found revolting, inexcusable, and intolerable! Former volunteers and employees called or emailed complaints. Was somethng peculiar happening there? And if so what?

As a life member I had a right to know exactly what was happening. Even the IRS agreed!