Volunteers say leaders' priorities don't mesh with animal welfare.
Galvanized by public outcry over the Humane Society of the Harrisburg Area’s planned euthanization of one of its dogs, a number of former volunteers and staff members called for changes in the animal welfare organization’s top leadership and operations.
And they don’t dispute the society’s own numbers that show all-animal euthanization rates hit a four-year low in 2022, or that the society’s passed most recent stateBut, to a person, they said they believe the Pursuit case points to a top-down style of leadership with a history of questionable spending decisions, and that equates disagreement and suggestions for improvement with dissent that must be quashed.
Several volunteers said Sunday that the main kennel areas for dogs at the Humane Sociaty’s Swatara Township complex is not air-conditioned, and that interior temperatures have on many occasions exceeded 90 degrees. The Humane Society’s board establishes the organization’s capital plan. Asked specifically about the air conditioning this week, the society said there is a major trade-off that comes with that kind of improvement that the board, as of yet, hasn’t been willing to make.
Humane Society filings show that total volunteer numbers are down, though there is some discrepancy over how much. “I would go back there in a heartbeat if everything got changed, and somebody ran the place like a real rescue,” Carroll said. “With so many volunteers, we know we’ll never be perfect in this area, but we continue to work hard to show our thanks to each and every one of them,” the society said.Many critics this week have questioned the society’s ownership and use of a farm in Perry County, where executive director Kaunas lives.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Harrisburg Humane Society needs to restore community trust after the crisis over Pursuit | PennLive EditorialIt was a mistake to wait six hours after the volunteer saved Pursuit to tell an angry community they considered him an “unpredictable” dog
Read more »
Broad St. Market vendor brings healthy meal options to Harrisburg: Trailblazers and trendsetters“If a path is open to you, widen it so that more people can come through,' says the head of United Way of Lancaster. He and Broad Street Market vendor Craig Ward are today's 'trailblazers and trendsetters.'
Read more »
Week ahead could include some windy days, rain and maybe even some snowA nice sunny but windy day is expected for the Harrisburg area on Sunday.
Read more »
There aren't enough veterinarians to care for all San Diego's pets. Can student debt relief help?A new bill supported by the San Diego Humane Society aims to attract veterinarians to underserved California communities with an offer of student debt relief.
Read more »