Back in August 2009, I hoped and prayed there would be a major change coming to the sanctuary. I just had a very strong feeling that there would be a change in management and the animals would finally get the help they need.
What I did not anticipate was a power struggle for the heart and soul of the sanctuary. One of the board members and her husband, I believe, have their sights on taking over the sanctuary.
First clue - the husband's job title on the web page. Really, CFO? Wasn't he the sanctuary's former animal transporter driver? Where is his CFO credentials? Where did he serve as a financial director, manager, or officer? Does he even have a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance?
Second clue -- several months back the female board member claimed that in the event the former directors decided to leave, she would be next in line. Really, the Secretary of the board was next in line? What happened to the Vice President? Treasurer?
Third clue -- the female board member is really throwing her weight around the office. She even stated I was not welcome to return to say good-bye to the animals in December.
Now it is my understanding the husband of the board director has quite the criminal record and the female board member may also have a criminal past. Good grief -- if this couple grabs control of the sanctuary, than it will be a repeat performance of the former directors all over again. The animals would doomed.
The board has dwindled from 5 members to just 3 members and the board members switched roles. The Florida board member is still the Vice President and he seems to understand exactly what I have been up against these last years. I have heard he welcomes my visit to the sanctuary, which is encouraging.
Meanwhile the new sanctuary director has her hands full -- two visits made by the Texas OAG and one visit from the USDA/APHIS within the same week. I heard both meetings were productive and the new sanctuary attorney is now on the case. This attorney wants to clean up the mess left by the former directors and so the workers and the new director are cooperating with the State. I pray the OAG's case now focuses on the former directors and not the new director, seeing how the new director is making every effort to fix the mess left by the former directors. Good news is that by Wednesday, the on-line newspaper suit should be dismissed. This has got to be welcoming news for the editor!
Sadly, the primary bank account was several thousand dollars in the red, and payroll was off by a day while funds were transferred from a savings account which the former directors apparently did not touch.
With dwindling funds in the savings account, a cold winter predicted, and a huge land balloon payment due in just four months, the former directors really left the sanctuary in a lurch.
In speaking with the new director, I learned Bubba, the white tiger, is doing much better. He already has hay in this den (which I heard he loves and spends time rolling around in his hay), and his health is steadily improving due to his new diet. Even the lioness Savo's health is improving and has become rather "talkative." The new director wants to have a blood panel done on each animal in order to ascertain their health condition. I think that's an absolutely wonderful idea. The cat's former diet was detrimental to the animals' health and it's important to establish a health baseline to see what type of medical treatment, if any, will be required.
The new director has some exciting ideas of incorporating current videos into the website, which will highlight different animals each week. I think this is a wonderful idea since the last directors posted pictures of dead animals are the website.
Oh, and a friend of mine just received the Vivi newsletter, which means the former director had to have sent it out just before she was fired! Can you believe it? Fundraising for a dead animal? Even after she put a disclaimer on the website that Vivi died in July? Talk about crooked! And last but not least, the male director, daughter and one of the workers filed for unemployment. The male director will not receive benefits because of work-related misconduct (misappropriate of funds, use of company vehicles for personal use, etc) and the other two quit their jobs! No unemployment benefits for these folks! Talk about cajones!
So, the new directors is up to her eyeballs with issues (power struggle, monetary issues, ex-employees, animal health care) and all I can do is advise from a far. She seems to have a strong constitution and a real desire to help the animals. I'm hoping and praying the OAG will remove the current board and instill a new board as soon as possible. I also pray the new director hires a financial director whom can take off some of the pressure of raising money for the animals. So much to do, so little time.
Later:
ASUS WAO Receivership Req - 100909
Michelle Cryer - Criminal Record History
Jamie Cryer Information
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