Bubba Was Loved and He Will Be Missed

It is with great sadness to report, Bubba, was euthanized today [May 28, 2010] at the WAO. According to a veterinarian, Bubba’s health took a turn for the worse and she believes he had cancer (lymphoma).

Bubba will be missed by a lot of people for he touched the hearts of many—he was truly an inspiration to all who knew him. May God Bless Bubba in Heaven where he is now living in a perfect body without any ailments or impediments.

I personally miss Bubba very, very much right now. The last time I got to visit with Bubba was on May 1, 2010. My goodbyes with Bubba was too short. I wish I could have spent more time with him. He was truly a very special tiger and I will always have fond memories of his toothy grins. There was one time when he kept smiling and smiling, all awhile not realizing he had a long piece of grass caught in his teeth! He looked so cute that day. I wish I had my camera so I could share his grins with you.

To learn more about Bubba and why we was so important to so many, please read the WAO's April 2010 article on him at: http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=c95107a9f0dc5a47c9dca4cc7&id=ec474082d3.

The photos are of Bubba, playing with his Christmas presents, December 2009

Bubba was definitely a gift from God to us; a very precious gift.

New "Management" Makes a Ton of Web Mistakes

Well, it appears the new management at WAO finally figured out how to update the WAO's web site. Below is what I wrote to the OAG regarding the numerous problems with the WAO's website. At 9:06am this morning, someone from the OAG visited the site for themselves to see what the Cryers wrote on the WAO's home and BOD pages. Needless to say, they saw the same problems I identified!

Oh, and Nicole reported to me that all week, she saw Henry Newman (criminal not listed on the WAO's web site) along with several other men scrounging around for metal at Talley Road property. Old metal pieces were seen loaded into the WAO's truck and hauled away. If this is what Cryer means the WAO is on sound financial ground, then she is delusional. Last night at 4:48pm I tried calling the WAO to see if they would be open this Memorial Day weekend. Surprise...no answer! I guess after making all the crazy web changes at the office around 4:15pm, the Cryers called it a day.

To: James Anthony
Cc: christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 9:10 PM
Subject: Addendum - Wild Animal Orphanage - May 26, 2010

VIA E- MAIL :

TO: james.anthony@oag.state.tx.us
CC: christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us


May 26, 2010

Please accept this letter as an addendum to the original complaint letter previously submitted to your Office. The information contained herein pertains to my original complaint regarding alleged misrepresentation perpetrated by the non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization’s owners/operators of the Animal Sanctuary of the United States, d/b/a Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO); f/k/a the Primate Sanctuary of the U.S. (PSUS), f/k/a the National Sanctuary for Retired Research Primates (NSRRP), f/k/a The San Antonio Wildlife Emergency Centre, f/k/a Primate Sanctuary of America ( PSA ); f/k/a Chimp Aid; f/k/a Cat Haven; and f/k/a Feral Cat Rehabilitation Center and Whisker’s and Wag’s Humane Society.

This email is in response to the events which transpired today on the Wild Animal Orphanage’s website at www.wildanimalorphanage.org. I have copied and pasted verbatim what was seen on the WAO’s website this afternoon after 5:00pm (see below).

The homepage

New Direction for WAO!
The WAO is under new management and direction. There are some who are using our mailing list and donors to solicit funds for "new" ventures in animal care taking. Please do not be deceived. The Wild Animal Orphanage, home to approximately 400 exotic wild animals, is one of the largest sanctuaries in the nation!
The WAO is a non-profit organization that is a 501(c)3 and authorized by the IRS and State of Texas to receive donations legally and lawfully for these animals. There is no other organization or entity legally taking donations that is going toward the care of these animals.
WAO is on a sound financial foundation and working hard to pay off the debts and inconsistencies financially of past administration. WAO has a new management structure and board of directors that brings the best of business management processes to the organization.
We do not receive any funding from Federal, State, or local government – we operate solely on the kind donations made by people like you.
The slowdown in the economy has hurt everyone, especially donations for our animals.

No donation is too small – every dollar counts toward our animals’ care. To make a donation please click here to donate by check or money order. To save costs we are no longer giving t-shirts for donations as the cost of handling, labor, materials and mail cost more than most of the donations we have received.
Click here if you want to donate using pay-pal. Thank you very much for your support during our time of need.
Michelle Cryer, Chairman of the Board

----------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.wildanimalorphanage.org/about-us/bod


Board of Directors

New Directions of WAO
WAO changed its Board of Directors and management team on the 1st of April, 2010. We have extended a release with a great deal of appreciation to Elise Matthes, Sumner Matthes and William West.

Taking their places is the newly announced Chairman, Michelle Cryer, Vice-Chairman, Chris Smith, and Treasurer, Bill Hardy.

Along with the new board there are new polices [sic] that are being put in place effectively immediately.

New Policies

1. Board members or their family members may not profit from the organization's activities.

2. A board member may NOT receive a salary as a staff member of the organization.

3. No board member, nor anyone of their family may financially benefit from service to the sanctuary, nor receive any gift or emolument therefrom [sic].

4. The board of directors may not be compensated for their duties as board members.

5. In the event a motion is presented before the board, which may directly or indirectly profit or benefit a voting member or a family member, that board member will be excused from voting on that particular issue or item.

6. No board member may remove any documents from the sanctuary, nor use information belonging to the sanctuary for personal or professional gain.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

New Board
Michelle Cryer, Chairman
Chris Smith, Vice-Chairman
Bill Hardy, Tresurer [sic]
Open
Open

http://www.wildanimalorphanage.org/about-us/key-staff

Office Staff and Management

Samuel Sherwood
Management Consultant

Kimberly Meyer
Accounting

Robert Mitchell
Public Relations, 210-381-1342

Debbie Sherwood
Administration, Donations


Animal Keepers Staff

Mary Reininger
Animal Care Technician

Michelle Reininger
Animal Care Technician

Mike Dereadt
Animal Care Technician

Jenny Spellman
Animal Care Technician

Kelsey Dyer
Animal Care Technician
(Part Time)

The WAO utilizes volunteers and community service workers for non-animal related work.

Animal Caregivers are responsible for the daily care of a number of different species. These duties include: sanitizing enclosures, feeding, making daily observations, and creating enrichment programs, as well as providing healthcare treatment under veterinary supervision.

Volunteers maintain the grounds and assist in office management, direct mail and fundraising projects. They also help out with enclosure construction and with the delivery of feed and other supplies.


---------------------------------------------------------------

I am absolutely stunned the new “management” team allowed the above text to be placed on the WAO’s website. Case in point:

“There are some who are using our mailing list and donors to solicit funds for "new" ventures in animal care taking. Please do not be deceived. The Wild Animal Orphanage, home to approximately 400 exotic wild animals, is one of the largest sanctuaries in the nation!
The WAO is a non-profit organization that is a 501(c)3 and authorized by the IRS and State of Texas to receive donations legally and lawfully for these animals. There is no other organization or entity legally taking donations that is going toward the care of these animals.”

Ms. Cryer acknowledged to the public that the WAO’s mailing list information was not protected from unauthorized use. WAO donors are not going to be pleased to learn that either their email or home addresses were obtained by this new “venture” and in turn, may cancel their monthly or single transaction financial support for the animals based on this alleged breach of privacy. By going public with this vague statement, Ms. Cryer acknowledged that the following statement is no longer true: “ASUS/WAO never sells or otherwise discloses customer information to any outside party and we will never provide your information to any other company or organization unless you have given us permission to do so. We respect your privacy.”

It is my personal opinion; this careless public statement was made in response to Carol Asvestas’ new website found at www.animalsasap.org. I have no proof that Carol Asvestas has the WAO’s mailing list. I do know a couple of my contacts are on the WAO’s mailing list and I have made them aware of Carol Asvestas’ new “venture” in the event she does try to use the WAO’s mailing list for her own personal gain. Thus far, no one has received any emails or newsletters from ASAP or Carol Asvestas. It is well known the Cryers and the Asvestas’ do not get along and so I believe this unsubstantiated claim was made in spite against Carol Asvestas. Personal vendettas should not be fought on the WAO’s website, especially if there is no proof of any wrong doings.

Next point:

“WAO is on a sound financial foundation and working hard to pay off the debts and inconsistencies financially of past administration. WAO has a new management structure and board of directors that brings the best of business management processes to the organization.”
and

“To save costs we are no longer giving t-shirts for donations as the cost of handling, labor, materials and mail cost more than most of the donations we have received. “
These two conflicting statements made no sense what-so-ever. How can the WAO be on a “sound financial foundation” when donations are so low the WAO can no longer cover the cost of making and mailing a WAO t-shirt ($4 per unit plus shipping costs), especially when donors must contribute $25 or more towards the animals’ care?

The WAO t-shirts were an excellent way of publically advertising the WAO’s existence. I wore my WAO t-shirt every Saturday and I cannot tell you how often I was stopped and asked about my t-shirt at various shopping establishments. T-shirt sales were up in March and April due to the increased amount of visitors at the WAO Leslie Road property. Due to their surge in popularity, we were in the process of redesigning the t-shirts with new animal pictures, slogans, and the web address information to be printed on the back of each t-shirt. Sadly, this source of revenue has dried up for the WAO.

Point:

The WAO website indicated: “WAO changed its Board of Directors and management team on the 1st of April, 2010.” This statement is wholly inaccurate. Two WAO board directors, Michelle Cryer and Sumner Matthes, seized control of the WAO on May 1, 2010. It was also my understanding Sumner Matthes and Elise Matthes quit the board of directors two weeks later and Will West quit the board of directors approximately 1-2 months ago. I believe the following statement, found on the WAO’s website, to be false: “We have extended a release with a great deal of appreciation to Elise Matthes, Sumner Matthes and William West.”

“Taking their places is the newly announced Chairman, Michelle Cryer, Vice-Chairman, Chris Smith, and Treasurer, Bill Hardy.” This begs the question—who is the President and Secretary of the WAO Board of Directors? Why are they using the words “chairman” and “vice-chairman?” I believe the public should know whether Ms. Cryer is an “executive chairman” or a “non-executive chairman.” For you see, an executive chairman is someone who combines the role of CEO with Chairman, so basically she chairs all the meetings, decides all the outcomes, and runs the WAO’s day to day business.

If she is a non-executive chairman, then her role is to chair meetings and give advice based on her “work” experience but does not have a major day to day role in the WAO’s affairs. This type of chairman is not 'THE' boss, but tends to share power with someone like the “CEO.” Since I did not see a “CEO” listed on the website, one might interpret Ms. Cryer is filling the role of “executive chairman,” unless of course, her husband is still filling the role of “director” or “CEO,” and for some reason, the Cryers elected not to post his name under the office staff and management list. Now typically, a person must be elected into the “chairman” position. If two weeks ago, Ms. Cryer was the lone board director, then how was she able to fill the role of “chairman” let alone vote other members onto the board? When did this new board form? May 26, 2010? Who vetted Bill Hardy and Chris Smith and what is their relationship to Michelle. Cryer? Bar buddies? Friends? Co-workers? People they met while on probation? What are their credentials to effectively operate this non-profit organization? Interesting enough, a Vice-Chairman typically takes on the responsibilities of a chairman in her absence. Therefore, exactly how is this board any different from when the Asvestas’ operated the WAO and “led” the board of directors?

Also, did the chairman rewrite the WAO’s by-laws to reflect the changes made to directors’ titles? “Along with the new board there are new polices [sic] that are being put in place effectively immediately.” [May 26, 2010]:

New Policies

1. Board members or their family members may not profit from the organization's activities.

2. A board member may NOT receive a salary as a staff member of the organization.

3. No board member, nor anyone of their family may financially benefit from service to the sanctuary, nor receive any gift or emolument therefrom [sic].

4. The board of directors may not be compensated for their duties as board members.

5. In the event a motion is presented before the board, which may directly or indirectly profit or benefit a voting member or a family member, that board member will be excused from voting on that particular issue or item.

6. No board member may remove any documents from the sanctuary, nor use information belonging to the sanctuary for personal or professional gain.

As far as I can tell, the only new “policy” was item #6. This may be in response to the WAO’s new direction home page claim. Was this new policy approved by the board of directors [chairmen] or was this a policy arbitrarily created by Ms. Cryer? Also, based on this statement, can employees remove any documents from the sanctuary for personal use or gain or does this only apply to “board members?"

It appears they may only be one or two individuals working in the WAO office each week, but as to the WAO operational hours, it is difficult to gage when the WAO is open for business, since telephone calls in the morning go directly to voice mail along with calls made after 4:00pm. For the last two weekends, no one has picked up the telephones.

Based on the very limited office staff listed, it appears the WAO suspended its educational tours, which was the original basis for IRS tax-exemption.

As to the statement, “The WAO utilizes volunteers and community service workers for non-animal related work,” I would be greatly concerned if volunteers [maintaining the grounds] were working around the animals at the WAO right now in light of the limited staff available to supervise the volunteers [liability of injury to volunteers and animals]. From what I understand, adult probation has not resumed sending probationers to the WAO and Juvenile Probation suspended the WAO work crew program.

I am curious as to how the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s Office handled this change to the WAO’s board of directors. Legally, can one director essentially create an entirely new board, without any approval or oversight from the Secretary of State or Texas Attorney’s Office, without first winding down and then filing a new certificate of formation?

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s frequently asked questions website:

Can one person be the sole director and officer of a nonprofit corporation?

No. The Texas Business Organizations Code requires a nonprofit corporation to have at least three directors, one president, and one secretary. The same person cannot be both the president and secretary. Officers and directors must be natural persons, but may be known by other titles. 

As of today, the Texas Secretary of State records shows the WAO’s registered agent as Ron Asvestas, and Michelle Cryer is listed as “co secretary.”

As usual, I encourage the Texas Attorney General’s Office, to take a more active role, other than that of “monitoring,” to ensure the WAO does not misrepresent itself to the general public and to protect approximately 398 wild and domestic animals that call the WAO home.

Lax Government Enforcement

When you read this article, substitute puppy mills for exotic wild animal sanctuaries. In my opinion, this problem is systemic throughout all animal licensed facilities.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j_5pUfNNMDq7Knab1p-isxTdqgoAD9FU00A02

USDA fails to crack down on puppy mills
By MARY CLARE JALONICK (AP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON — An internal government report says dogs are dying and living in horrific conditions due to lax government enforcement of large kennels known as puppy mills.

Investigators say the Department of Agriculture often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties and doesn't adequately document inhumane treatment of dogs. In one case cited by the department's inspector general, 27 dogs died at an Oklahoma breeding facility after inspectors had visited the facility several times and cited it for violations.

The review, conducted between 2006 and 2008, found that more than half of those who had already been cited for violations flouted the law again.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday that USDA takes the report seriously and will take immediate action.

I guess it better late than never, huh?

It's Blackmail

The Cryers are stooping to new lows! When a payroll check bounced for one of the WAO's former employees, (Tony), he went back to the WAO to speak with Jamie Cryer. Apparently either Jamie or someone else in the office representing the WAO, told the former employee that he would not write a new check unless the former employee signed a statement saying Nicole Garcia stole his payroll check on her last day.

The former employee apparently told the WAO representative (I believe it was Jamie Cryer) that he was going to KSAT-12 and the Texas Workforce Commission to report the WAO is BLACKMAILING its former employees, telling them sign false statements or else no final check! Way to go Tony!

Apparently, Jamie Cryer told the former employee that they were going to file charges of theft against Nicole (yeah, over 25 days later). On top of that, Nicole found two notices (1 posted at the gate and 1 posted on her door) telling her she had until May 30th to vacate the mobile home located on Talley Road which she has been living in for the last 9 years. The notice also said the WAO would file charges against her for theft unless she returned WAO property. What was very telling was that they did not list the items they wanted back! Normally, a comprehensive list of property is provided by the former employer demanding the return of property to the former employee--not just a general "threat" of action against the former employee.

It would not surprise me in the least if the Cryers were stealing items from the WAO with the intentions of blackmailing or threatening legal action against Nicole sometime in the future. This situation has truly gotten out of hand and I have no idea why the OAG has not taken action against the Cryers.

Today, Nicole reported five men (one of them was Henry Newman) wandering around the Talley Road open field, moving around heavy equipment, but not accomplishing any noticeable tasks. What a waste of money. Money that should be used for the animals feed and care. Maybe Cryer should be out there blackmaling the workers into doing some real work!!

No Answer

For two days I've been trying to reach someone at the WAO to see when they will open for tours. Using my unnamed cell phone, I tried calling on Saturday at 1:02pm, 1:29pm, 4:00pm and on Sunday at 10:40am, 12:35pm, and 3:55pm. No one aswered. That means potential donors or visitors wanting to make donations or visit the animals were met with silence as well.

I learned yesterday that Sherwood is still going around telling people he wants to turn the WAO into a theme park. As usual, this man has got his priorities backwards. First save the animals --- SAVE THE ANIMALS!! I was told in early May that the Cryers were expecting a BIG donation check any time. Now I learned, the Sherwoods are going around saying the WAO will receive $250k soon. If this was true, then why is the WAO still closed? Why are they scrapping every bit of metal possible? Why has no one seen Mike Dereadt (convicted criminal) and his fiance, Jenna, at the WAO? Could it be because Terry Minchew has returned? Or simply because there is no money.

Hey Mike Dereadt, you were whining about how no one listens to your fund raising ideas. Now that your friends the Cryers are in charge, you must have some fabulous ideas to raise money for the animals, right? Especially if you are not working there full-time, you must have a lot of free time on your hands to go out and fund raise for the animals. Finished writing those grants yet?  How's the change in management working out for you, huh? Was it all that you hoped and reported on KENS-TV?  

Yeah, no answer to any of these questions. Simply because there is no one accountable working or operating the WAO at this time. There are simply no answers.

I Will Miss Elmer

Today I received word the criminals in charge of the WAO sent away Elmer, the miniature pony, to Brighter Days, today. Elemer has been at the WAO since 2006 and he lived at Talley Road along with two donkeys and the llamas. Why he was singled out and sent away is not known considering the pony, donkeys, and llamas literally lived off the land except during the winter when hay was provided.

Elmer will be missed and I can only pray he will be okay. I don't know anything about Brighter Days, so I cannot judge his new home. I do know he was happy at Talley Road, with his friends, and now he is gone. God Bless You, Elmer. You will be missed.

Way to Go Sumner Matthes

Way to go Sumner Matthes. Thanks to you the Talley Road bears will not be moving into their new expanded enclosures any time soon—if ever. For you see, the three Cryer criminals are selling the bears’ enclosure panels for cash!

If Matthes had not made such a horrendous decision to put Michelle Cryer in charge, the bears currently living in the tiny quarantine cages at Talley Road would be enjoying grass and natural vegetation because we had welders lined up and ready to finish the bears enclosures!!! I had hoped to have this project finished by the end of May along with one other project – giving Sabu the lion the space he needs so he too is no longer living in a tiny run-off cage (he was placed with Atti, a lioness with a serious Atti-tude).

Yeah, way to go Sumner. In just one 6-minute board meeting you ruined the animals’ chances for a new lease on life. This is the wonderful legacy you left the WAO.

I guess the Cryers are getting desperate for cash because they are selling old chain link material, rusted metal pieces, and the collapsible animal cages. What are they going to sell next when they run out of metal? The animals?

Meanwhile, I learned from a friend of mine who helped me arrange free fruits and vegetables for the WAO, the Leslie Road office is closed during the week and so two deliveries of produce, one from my friend’s company and one from River City Produce were turned away. Instead the fruits and veggies went to the San Antonio Zoo! The WAO, by not opening its doors turned away free boxes of oranges, apples, bananas, cabbage, lettuce, and cucumbers! Free food turned away! Disgusting.

I want to write the OAG and the USDA about this latest developments, but heck, what would they do? Nothing! Since no one is making a move to oust these criminals, running the WAO with no LEGAL board of directors, there is no point and saying “hey – do something about this situation” because as far as I can tell, they simply do not care.

I cannot believe this is happening to the animals! Ever since Nicole was removed, the property has gone down hill fast. I am really, really scared for the animals.

Please Lord, save the WAO animals before it is too late.

Trying to Keep Positive

Well, it didn't take long for the word to get out that Jamie Cryer's brother, Alex, is also a convicted criminal and working at the WAO. This is truly a disappointing situation.

I came across a moral to a story sent to me by a friend in an email, which I found very enlightning:

Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret.

Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling

And even more beautiful is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!

Amen!

I learned earlier today that Dr. Pannill from the USDA/APHIS will visit the WAO animals on a weekly basis. I will continue to pray for the health and safety of the WAO animals during this most difficult financial times.

Another Criminal in the Family

Again, I think this follow-up email to the Texas OAG/Charitable Trust Division says it all:

VIA E- MAIL :
TO: james.anthony@oag.state.tx.us
CC: christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us

Robert.M.Gibbens@usda.gov

elizabeth.c.pannill@usda.gov

May 19, 2010

Please accept this email as a letter of concern pertaining to the newly formed corporation, Animal Shelter Assistance Program, Inc., d/b/a Auction for Animals, established by the former director, Ms. Carol A. Asvestas, of the Animals Sanctuary of the United States, d/b/a/ Wild Animals Orphanage and the alleged continued mismanagement of the Wild Animal Orphanage.

In the email I sent yesterday, I made reference to Jamie Cryer's brother who is allegedly working at the WAO. After some research, I discovered Alexander Paul Cryer, brother of Jamie Cryer, living in San Antonio. Alexander Cryer, like his brothers, has an extensive criminal record in Bexar and Comal County. It is my understanding Alexander Cryer worked for the WAO in 2005-2006 as a paid "contract" employee in support of the Hurricane Rita and Katrina animal acquisitions.

Unless there was another change in management recently, the three Cryers, all with criminal records are now in control of the WAO, its animals, and its assets. The Cryers are reportedly selling a lot of the WAO's assets, and I would not be surprised if a portion of the assets' sale went directly towards the three family members. Based on their history, I cannot image all three family members are working for "free" at the WAO.

The timing of Ms. Carol Asvestas' new non-profit corporation also has me concerned. It would not surprise me in the least if she submits a proposal to your Office, requesting all charges against the WAO dropped and in exchange she would be happy to return to the WAO as CEO, bring with her funds raised from her new non-profit company.

In the meantime, it was reported to me that the animal caretakers only care for the Leslie Road animals 5 days a week. That means the animals requiring daily food (cats, dogs, and primates) and animals requiring medication (Bubba, T'Savo, injured primate) are not receiving the care required on a daily basis.

I was able to confirm Mr. and Mrs. Matthes decided to walk away from the WAO over a week ago. I anticipate Mr. Sherwood will also walk away from the WAO very soon.

I respectfully request the Texas Attorney General’s Office assume temporary custodianship and remove the current board of directors and its members of Animal Sanctuary of the United States, d/b/a Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO), until such time new management and a new board of directors can be established to provide proper care for the animals and responsible stewardship of donations sent to the organization.

Kindest Regards,  
Kristina Brunner

Turns out the Cyers have another brother, but it seems he does not live in San Antonio, thankfully.

I am at a loss as to why the OAG and the USDA does nothing to save the WAO animals and property.


From: Elizabeth.C.Pannill@aphis.usda.gov
Subject: Re: Additional Information Pertaining to the Wild Animal Orphanage/Animal Shelter Assistance Program
To: kbrunner@...
Date: Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 10:37 PM

I continue to check on things each week. Dr. F did come to see primates. I have talked to her. Bubba greeted me on monday. Seems to be ok for bubba.

Subject:	Re: Additional Information Pertaining to the Wild Animal Orphanage/Animal Shelter Assistance Program
From:	Kristina Brunner
To:	Elizabeth.C.Pannill@aphis.usda.gov;
Date:	Friday, May 21, 2010 2:53 PM

Not that it makes any difference, but a friend of mine who worked real hard to get free produced delivered to the WAO told me two separate deliveries of free fresh produce was turned away on two separate occasions because there was no one working at the Leslie Road facility. The drivers tried to deliver the free fresh produce during what used to be the WAO's former operating hours during the workweek.  One of the deliveries was re-directed to the San Antonio Zoo.   Also, prior to Nicole Garcia's departure, I had volunteer welders willing to finish one of the Talley Road bear enclosures this month.  I learned today, the bears' enclosure panels were taken away and presumably sold for scrap along with chain link fence material, and collapsible animal cages.  This breaks my heart because I had hoped to have 1/2 the Talley Rd bears enjoying one of their large natural enclosures promised to them over five years ago.    Question:  Once they finish selling off all things metal, what will they sell next?   It goes without saying, in detail, that I am very disappointed and saddened with recent events transpiring at the WAO;   Kindest Regards, Kristina

A Horrible Comedy of Events

I thought this email sent to the parties listed below pretty much sums up today's posting! This email was sent yesterday:

VIA E- MAIL :

TO: james.anthony@oag.state.tx.us

CC: christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us

       Robert.M.Gibbens@usda.gov

       elizabeth.c.pannill@usda.gov

May 18, 2010

Please accept this email as a letter of concern pertaining to the newly formed corporation, Animal Shelter Assistance Program, Inc., d/b/a Auction for Animals, established by the former director, Ms. Carol A. Asvestas, of the Animals Sanctuary of the United States, d/b/a/ Wild Animals Orphanage and the alleged continued mismanagement of the Wild Animal Orphanage.

Ms. Asvestas submitted a Certification of Formation Nonprofit Corporation dated November 5, 2009. On January 22, 2010, a Certificate of Correction was filed with the State, changing the purpose of the non-profit corporation’s purpose. I have grave concerns regarding items 1 & 2 of the Animal Shelter Assistance Program stated purpose as I believe she may have plans to work her way back into the Wild Animal Orphanage as its main fundraising agent.

I checked with the IRS website, Search for Charities, Online Version of Publication 78, at http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/, to verify whether or not a FEIN was issued to the Animal Shelter Assistance Program, Inc. I discovered two listings for the Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP) – one based in California and the other was located in Connecticut (see attached). I was unable to find Ms. Asvestas’ non-profit corporation, leading me to believe that ASAP may not be eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.

So, on May 18, 2010 I contacted the IRS Office to ascertain whether or not Ms. Asvestas had a Federal Employer Identification Number assigned to ASAP and to my absolute amazement, the IRS approved ASAP for tax exemption as a public supported charity effective April 10, 2010, retroactive to the creation of the corporation (FEIN: 27-149-2357)!

Since Ms. Asvestas used her home address on the applications and website, it appears she is in charge of ASAP, even though she is listed as the “Registered Agent Organizer.” Once again, I believe Ms. Asvestas has a board of directors in name only, whom of which have no idea what they may be getting into if this public supported charity goes "South."

I was told Ms. Asvestas encouraged several high donors to discontinue their support of the WAO and instead asked them to support her new organization. I believe Ms. Asvestas may attempt to send out newsletters requesting donated funds soon, using the WAO mailing list which she obtained prior to her resignation and subsequent dismissal from the WAO.

If this case was not of a serious nature, it would truly be a comedy of horrors.

It is my understanding, the Cryers and Sherwoods are scrapping as much metal as they through the Great Northwest Recycling Center in San Antonio, Texas, in order to raise cash to pay for animal feed and workers' salaries. It is my understanding the chimpanzee cages (maintained on the Talley Road property in case of an emergency) may have been all scrapped for its metal. If the chimpanzees have to be evacuated or relocated to another sanctuary, the WAO would have to either purchase or borrow especially made chimpanzee transporters.

Apparently, the WAO scrapped property that did not belong to the WAO. Below is an account, obtained from Top Cats Roar’s blog site:

http://topcatsroar.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/back-on-the-home-front/

Back on the Home Front

Fred and I took a short road trip that turned out not to be so short but we are now back home safely.

The agreement we made with the DA to get out of jail (remember, the agreement we both had to sign so we would release ownership of the cats to get out of jail), in return, all charges criminal and the civil suit would be dropped. BUT we would be responsible for retrieving our cages for transporting the big cats…yea, that one…(Of course we were led to believe the rest would be returned…or we never would have signed anything!)

Magic and Boo-Boo (black panthers), Elvira (Puma), Angel and Desire’ (registered Siberian Tigers) went to Wisconsin.

Tigger and Natasha (registered Siberian tigers) went to a Kirbyville.

and Boris and Gizmo (registered SDiberian tiger, rescued tiger mix) went to WAO (Wild Animal Orphanage) of San Antonio, TX.

We started our drive late Sunday afternoon, traveled down the 59 towards Houston.

The plan was to get to the other side of Houston late so there wouldn’t be much traffic as Fred was driving our large truck. That part worked out great until the brake line broke (developed a leak) along the way…It was much too late to find a mechanic or parts to be able to make the repair ourselves so, we spent the night, got up early considering the time we finally stopped to sleep, to get it repaired.

Mechanics there get $100.00 an hour (!), so on to O’Reiley’s. They were so helpful and loaned Fred the tools…a few hours later, and back on the road.

I had called WAO last week to advise them we were coming and left a message for someone to return my call. I called again on Saturday and left yet another message for a return phone call…I called once again on Monday to speak with someone to let them know it would be Tuesday or Wednesday to pick up the cages instead because of the breakdown. Samuel Sherwood spoke with me telling me it was his first day of taking over the sanctuary. He said he had no information about the cats or the agreement with District Attorney William Gleason.

I told him I had a copy of the agreement between Marion County and us and pictures of the cages before and after the seizure and could identify the cages, no problem. I also told him about the breakdown and would not be there until Tuesday or Wednesday as I was also picking some things up that were in storage that weren’t far from San Antonio and that would give him the time to locate the paperwork and the cages…no problem. (Please remember that was MONDAY)

I called Tuesday to give him an update, left a message, no one returned my call…again on Wednesday (after a tire blew) with yet another update, left a message, no one returned my call…all I could do was leave messages; Samuel was always on the phone or had someone in his office…much to busy to speak with me!?!?!?

We had a blow out on one of the tires (more like an explotion!) in the middle of no where and had to wait 3 hours for road service! I finally found someone to bring us 2 tires and install one, the other we would have as a spare should it happen again. It was quite late so we stopped at the first hotel we could find…ugh! I didn’t know places like that were still around!

The following day we hit the road and stopped at a roadside picnic area to make lunch and call them once again. Now I call and Samuel answers the phone(!). He tells me he can’t locate the cages and has no paperwork! He also tells me he doesn’t have the cages! He says when they pick up cats, they are transferred to the WAO transport cages and that the police department destroyed them!?!?

First I’m told he’s new and knows nothing and now he’s telling me their policies? Doesn’t he know how far I am traveling to get my property? I don’t want to play his game!

I told him that I doubted that and would be making calls about the situation to the Marion County Sheriff’s office and get back to him. I also confirmed that I was told it was my responsibility to get the cages from WAO as my agreement with the District Attorney…that we had been in court since and was given the information at that time. There was no mention of the cages being in Marion County and that Marion County would have either expected me to pick them up or would have brought them back to my property; this just didn’t sound like he knew what he was talking about. I also told him I had traveled at my expense to get the cages and his agreement was with the County District Attorney and they were to keep them for 6 months for me to retrieve them.

What I didn’t say was that no way was I buying his story.

Now I’m also becoming irritated…I call the Marion County Sheriff’s office to find out what the situation was with making the transfer, Kirbyville was extremely cooperative and is holding the cages for as long as it takes, even told me after 6 months and not to worry about it.

Why was this a different story being told to me…think because they want to keep those cages or sold them?!? And certainly why wait to finally talk to me after I am so close to San Antonio…Something to do with respect too I imagine…after all, my animals were seized…

Well this sanctuary was embezzling money, animals were not receiving the benefits from the donations, animals missing…a take over and reason he got his fancy little job. WTF!?!

Seems the new guy is as bad as the rest were…(HELLO…we’re available, lol!)

I think Samuel had better straighten this matter out and locate those cages…that sanctuary doesn’t need more problems…looks like they don’t care…more on that later, I’m getting ahead of myself.

I spoke with Marion County and everyone had left for the day so, another night out…ugh…these stinking hotel rooms good, bad, and otherwise weren’t cheap!

Bill McKay’s secretary, Linda, is a sweetheart! She got on the phone and started to search out who would know and sent me to the DA’s office…

Would they help?

Do they have to?

I was left with things going thru my mind and that there’s more to this story!

Thursday morning I started making the calls once again only this time, I started with the DA office. Time someone told me about the transfer and if they had signed agreements or what? Yep, all roads led to Mr. Gleason…I have to call the DA’s office and get help from a man I fear and come not to trust…would he and could I?

I left a message for Mr. Gleason or Larry Nance to call me back. Calls are going back and forth and Mr. Gleason sends me and them a fax of their agreement with him. I wait about thirty minutes and call WAO, Samuel answers, and he tells me he did not receive a fax. I tell him I’ll call Mr. Gleason as I received the fax he sent me and ask if I should send it to him, he said no. So I said I would call Mr. Gleason back to see if their copy was sent and asked for his fax number for verification. He said “Oh, don’t do that, you’ll make him mad.” I said “Not my concern. If Mr. Gleason gets mad about having to resend the fax it was not my concern or my problem, I was there to pick up my cages, see Boris and Gizmo and make the long drive back.”

I call Mr. Gleason, verify the fax number and confirm with him I received my copy and ask him to resend. They claim

no fax, I’m sitting at a roadside, wait another 30 minutes, call again and a lady answers this time, her name is Michele. She said they received the fax that I sent??? I tell her I’m sitting at a picnic table and that came from the Marion County District Attorney’s office…she says oh, we’ll get back to you…

WOW! Suddenly Samuel is available and telling me they need to locate the cages, they don’t know where they are or which ones are mine, give him a few minutes and call him back. So, now he realizes his first story wasn’t going to work out…he needs time to think up another…he acknowledges that he received the fax and NOW knows they are responsible for the cages. I know that this Michelle and her husband were there for the transfer…

A while later, my phone rings…it’s Samuel (how shocking, he called me) and now he’s talking fast (you know the type of conversation that starts with “Here’s what I can do for you!”) and he’s got yet, get this, another ‘story’ about the cages being destroyed only this time THEY destroyed the cages on MONDAY! WTF?!? I told them the week before that I was coming for them…I’m beginning to fume…

Now I’m tiring of his game! But agree to listen…well, not exactly because I wanted to but because he insisted and wouldn’t let me get a word in.

Here’s his tale: “We destroyed those cages because they were so crappy and didn’t meet USDA regulations so we’re going to give you two of ours.”

I said wait a minute, he kept talking and I’m not buying this BS at all! Talking like a ‘con artist’ or one of those ‘high pressure salesman’…oh, that’s the same thing…He finally stops talking and allows me to talk…

I told him that he didn’t know what he was talking about. That my transport cages were just rebuilt. That those transport cages were approved by the USDA and had been inspected a day before the seizure. Furthermore, it was THEIR responsibility to keep them for 6 months per THEIR agreement with Marion County and for me to retrieve them. Furthermore, my agreement with Marion County was to retrieve my property only, not accept anything less, during that time.

We attempted to do that. Please keep in mind we were NOT allowed to look at their storage area for my property! We were at one of two properties were they keep animals.

Back to the song and dance part…he says he will offer me ‘better cages’ that belonged to WAO to satisfy the agreement…was sure I’d be happy with that…HA, he hasn’t been to my blog now has he??!!

Says he was leaving at 4 and if he wasn’t there, could talk to his man in charge, Jamie if I wanted to see the cages and take them with me, my cages were destroyed and nothing he could do about it…I told him I was coming…now 1:30 (!) but if they weren’t like mine I would not accept them. He said it was the best he could do. I told him it might not be good enough and he would be explaining that to Mr. Gleason if I don’t take them, not my problem! It would be between him and District Attorney Gleason. If he was afraid I would make Mr. Gleason mad before, he should really be scared now!

We arrived at this place at 3:30. As we are pulling in we see two men jump in their car and leave. (hummmmm, could one of those men have been Samuel?!?) We go inside past the sign that says the place is closed…WTF?!?

The fencing looks nice, tall privacy fencing, and enter the building. There are a few novelty items for sell, the walls need painting, the floors need mopping; looking ragged would be the nicest term I have to say about it…large display cases sit nearly empty as well as the racks.

There are brochures on top of the display cages…YES, I took some…Doors open to what appears to be offices. We meet some lady named Michele. I ask for Samuel and she says he’s gone…but it’s not 4 yet…Oh, he left an hour ago and won’t be back…hummmm….OK, I ask for Jamie (her husband!!!)…he’s not in and won’t be for another hour and a half…

I ask if the cages sitting outside were the ones they were offering and she said they were…I told her they weren’t acceptable! Broken tiny wheels, old wooden warped floors and no ‘slop doors’ (in other words if you transport an animal in this cage, you could not clean it out!) a door on one side and the rest, including the top, is of wire (!????). The metal was thin walled materials and only 2 braces on the bottom…

NOT ACCEPTABLE! She’s mad! Had someone destroyed her property she would not accept anything less…why should we!????!!!

I ask to see Boris and Gizmo so Michele calls a care giver, Michele…yea right, another Michele…go figure…

We go outside into the sanctuary…it’s run down and the grass overgrown. We walk past a large bear and this girl is talking to the animals along the way…and I see Boris pacing in the front. I ask if he’s always pacing or just excited to see me…of course I know the path of pacing…it’s a clear path along the sides and front of the caging with grass grown around where he’s not pacing, I know what I’m looking at! But maybe she didn’t want me to worry. This person was very nice with 15 years experience. There were no enhancement for him…

He was phuffing and rubbing the fence the way he always did when he saw me. He started licking the fencing like he always did but he’s extremely thin! His coat short with thick mane and alone in a large cage! Boris is a very social animal, always with one of the other tigers. It’s apparent he’s not happy! Nothing I can do about that, I no longer own him…makes me wish I had stayed in jail!

Michele tells me they are short of funds and short handed. Let’s hope so considering the condition of the place…only excuse for it being so run down.

I see another cage and a tiger lying on top of a wooden box intended for shelter. I call him as I always do…”Hey Gizmo!” No response…I call to him again and he looks and then a double take…he flew off the box and came running to the fence…He’s licking the fence and I’ve got tears in my eyes…we have a conversation as he phuffs at me. He too is quite thin…remember I have pictures. First taken by the Marion County sheriff’s department and least we forget the media! And my own set taken by Fred.

There’s old chicken in the cage but he hasn’t been pacing. Gizmo probably just lays around accept when time for food…Both those tigers are accustom to 10-15 pounds of chicken and 5-8 pounds of beef each day…hummmm

I see many other cages and probably the largest group of capuchins I have ever seen and go back to the side of Boris’ cage for a few licks (kisses). All my tigers were trained to kiss and they weren’t being asked to give a kiss…they were giving.

As he rubs on the cage, the side of the cage moves so I ask if there is a break in the weld and she said no that that’s just the way it is but I bet further investigation would have found a break somewhere…well, not my responsibility I suppose…they have been inspected by the USDA and considering the large number of animals with two locations, it would be through. But I would do the research and see after arriving home. I did, and I am shocked! Last July and not what I had expected to read.

I’m hearing everyone complaining about donations and being short handed…Michele has to go the their other property to give medications and do whatever she has to finish at the end of the day. We go back in the office, she leaves.

I’m told Jamie is not back. So I left my info and tell them we have another tire problem and need to get it repaired while I still could get it done so we could head back, it’s now about 5. We go outside and see 2-3 guys parking and open the gate to either unload or load up.

Fred and I look at each other and decide I should inquire if one is Jamie. He should have been looking for me not me him.

He confirms that they destroyed the cages MONDAY…I asked exactly how they managed to do it and why because one cage is solid steal on three sides with 3/4 inch plywood and solid plastic floor that had just been reworked including the tires with tick walled steal! The other has strips of solid stele and the wire rated for keeping bears, the thickest made I believe…anyway, he says they used a claw(?) and crushed it and then…get this…hauled them to the dump…BULLSCHITT JAMIE…I then looked him square in the eye and asked why, they were better than what they were offering. He said “You seizure people never get your cages back anyway”…WHAT THE F**K!?!…I said…”Well you now have a problem with the Marion County District Attorney!” He shrugged his shoulders…OMG! They are asking for the rath of God now…

WAO are in breech of contract with Marion County, not me…who is this guy with this big wad of tobacco in his mouth think he’s talking to!?!? I drove almost 400 miles (more actually seeking repairs and getting lost!) for nothing with hwy diesel fuel costing more than $3.00 (usually $3.10)…stayed in motel rooms starting at $50.00, and the truck repairs for this??!!

They didn’t destroy those cages, that’s obvious and someone knows where they are and had better get them to me quick! I’ve become a very pushy broad and they are pushing me hard!

HUMMMMM, and there’s someone in the Valley wondering why I didn’t contact THIS sanctuary to take the cats in the first place…Commenting on how I’ve changed…THIS IS A NO LIMIT BLOG OF MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND FEELINGS…get over it! I’ve changed! My animals have been wronged, I have been wronged and this is just one more to add to the list!

Check this link lady I checked them out…you do the same!

http://www.rexano.org/WAO.htm

Make sure you check those links!

Until now, NEITHER ME OR FRED HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW MUCH LESS BEEN IN JAIL!

How dare they take these cats and place them at this sanctuary!

Now they have some guy by the name of Samuel Sherwood taking over with Jamie still in charge! WTF?

http://www.rexano.org/hypocritical_sanctuaries.htm

Check that link too!

I called Mr. Gleason Friday to give an update and he was as shocked as I. Wondered why a sanctuary would destroy those cages!! He knew those were great cages…he knows they were approved for transport by the USDA.

Now I also reminded him of our agreement. I did my part within the time frame…Marion County is now in breech of a contract with me! They assumed the responsibility of those cages with the confiscation. MY PROPERTY YES but there are rules in the Texas Code that concerns the return of confiscated property and while I agreed to go get them I did not agree to go there twice at my expense!

Furthermore, should I drive all the way to WI and run into the same problem?!?!

I’m looking into a transport company rather than have this happen again! Maybe some kind person will come to my aid and retrieve those cages for us but I truly doubt I’ll find anyone coming this way with an empty truck big enough to retrieve those cages…see you soon Jeff! Those cages better be there and in as good a condition as last I saw them before you transported those cats!

Funny, I had told several people I was going to ask the followers of this blog to donate to the sanctuaries that have the animals…don’t bother…looks like they are ALL thieves! Reprinting the media and whatever slanderous garbage they can…lying and stealing other peoples animals and property…grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The lady that has both Tigger and Natasha seems to be different, we’ll see soon enough when we go after those cages!

Funny, there is a cage still here (remember Dandy) and the wheels are just fine! Mr. Gleason said they didn’t do the damage, then who did? I have the pictures and one cage here! Those wheels were either new or rebuilt…WTF?!?!?!

Again, I repeat, this is an adult blog and if you don’t like my colorful language, lock your children out and if I have offended you then don’t come here for your Internet entertainment.

If you are concerned about everything that has gone on and apparently continues to go on than I want to hear from you! If you have a means to offer help than please, let us know!

We were not convicted of any crime…unlike many others…never even been suspected of any crime, unlike others…

Either comment or email me at barbara@exoticendangeredcatsoftheworld.com

My old web site: www.exoticendangeredcatsoftheworld.com

-B

Pictures? Of course we have pictures…stay tuned!

We’ve returned ‘home’

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It appears, once again, the WAO “directors” continue to deceive the public. It was my understanding the WAO’s current BOD knew about the transfer of the two tigers from Marion County and the tigers’ arrival was covered in the WAO’s newsletter: http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=c95107a9f0dc5a47c9dca4cc7&id=1c6afe50c3. I am also concerned the WAO was willing to give away two animal transporters, large enough to transport bears, tigers, lions, etc, in exchange for the two transporters they had allegedly scrapped for cash. International Fund for Welfare donated over $25k towards the cost of the transporter, which were hand made to certain specifications, so the WAO could have enough transporters on hand in case of an emergency, such as flooding and relocating the big cats. I am concerned current management may have scrapped several of these transporters as well, placing the animals and the public at risk in the event of an emergency. Pictures of the transporters can be found at: http://topcatsroar.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/cage-wars-wao-of-san-antonio-is-on-my-watch-list/.

It is my understanding the transporter’s owners are seeking approximately $7,000 to replace the transporters Jamie Cryer claimed were destroyed. Violating an agreement with Marion County District Attorney’s Office could cause problems for the cash-strapped WAO.

The WAO has been closed since May 1, 2010, losing thousands of dollars from visitors and donors. It is my understanding Mary and Michelle Reininger, animal care staff, are having difficulty keeping up with the cleaning and feeding of the animals. And now with Terry Minchew, returning supposedly as the WAO’s volunteer coordinator, I have grave concerns regarding the direction of the WAO—especially since the entire BOD allegedly agreed she should be terminated for cause due to her work performance. Ms. Minchew entered into a non-disclosure agreement with the WAO when her employment was terminated and in exchange she received severance pay. From my first-hand experience, Ms. Minchew has little or no working experience directing and/or supervising volunteers at the WAO and I am concerned that she may place volunteers or the animals in grave danger.

It is also my understanding Samuel Sherwood is now in charge of the WAO’s Office, making the majority of the financial decisions.

I also heard, but have not been able to confirm, Mr. and Mrs. Matthes are no longer on the WAO’s Board of Directors. If this is true, then the WAO is operating without a board.

I respectfully request the Texas Attorney General’s Office assume temporary custodianship and remove the current board of directors and its members of Animal Sanctuary of the United States, d/b/a Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO), until such time new management and a new board of directors can be established to provide proper care for the animals and responsible stewardship of donations sent to the organization.

IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER

This post is from a blog titled "Dogs Can Roar Too."  I think you will understand why I brought this story into my blog:

Wednesday, May 19, 2010


IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER

Took a road trip this past week, my partner and I.

Went to fetch our animal transport cages over in San Antonio.

Well, two of them, anyway. Two others are over near Beaumont and six are up in Wisconsin.

When the illegal warrant was served and the illegal seizure took place, more than just the animals were illegally seized. They decided they needed all our empty cages as well as all our pet transport boxes, food and water bowls, and sacks of feed and bedding -plus tools and other equipment. The humaniac had been eyeing our 26' panel truck (an old U-Haul) for transport, but I'd refused to cooperate and dig up the paperwork on it, even though I'd made a show of trying. Plus, I'd had the nerve to just get a 10-day temp tag on it, which was expired anyway. Then I took the keys along with me when I went to jail. On top of it all, I was such a ninny that I'd gotten it stuck in the mud when we'd pulled in a couple weeks earlier and hadn't yet extracted it for them. So they had to ditch the plans on the truck.

The big cats were all in custom-built transport cages, which of course was cruelty. But since they had nothing to transport them in, let alone keep them in for a week or two till they could be sent elsewhere, it was a foregone conclusion that they'd just take the cages too. After all, with the cats gone, we'd have no need for those cages. We're bad people anyway and don't deserve them. And like Gleason said, "We kind of had the cruelty forced upon us, didn't we?" "We can't exactly go to Wal-Mart and buy some cages..."

But as part of our "get out of jail" agreement with him, he gave us 6 months to retrieve those transport cages, at our expense, or lose them too.

I wonder how well an agreement like this would hold up in court, anyway. They steal your property, send it from Texas to Wisconsin, wreck your business and drive you to unanticipated expenses, depleting whatever funds you still have, and then expect you to go get your property from wherever they sent it. Since the agreement was coerced, and misleading, plus a major part of it was immediately breached by him, it's most likely voidable anyway. And one major reservation I had on it was that it's between him and us, and whoever gets the cats -and the cages they're in- isn't bound by it. But the all-knowing and benevolent DA assured us that all we'd need do if we met with resistance would be to call him and he'd remind them that the cages are ours. Simple. -In theory, at least.

So anyway, according to our "agreement," we still have until mid-August to fetch those cages, from three different locations. We phoned the one in San Antonio, Wild Animal Orphanage, to let them know we'd be coming for the cages on Monday, May 10th. Got no answer and left a message to that effect.

Sunday evening we had some brake line problems with the truck, so called the WAO to let them know it'd be maybe Wed or Thu before we could get there. Finally reached a live person on Wed, who ID'd himself as Sam Sherwood, the new manager or something, who just took over on Monday. (Seems like everything happened on Monday!)

Sam says, the cages never came to WAO. They went to Marion for the cats and took their own transports. Says the local police (sic) destroyed our cages. Later, his story changes a couple more times. First he's looking for them, (this is before any confirmation that the cats and cages were brought to WAO by Marion County and WAO did NOT come here for them) then he says they were smashed up and hauled to the dump. So apparently, by getting rid of them, they somehow are no longer WAO's responsibility? And he himself confirmed they got rid of them on Monday, the same day we were first expected to come for them.

A little digging turns up that their man, Jamie Cryer (more on him later) or his brother took them to Great Western Recycling, and sold them for scrap metal. So where's the money he got for them? My guess is, most of it's in the till of the nearest saloon. Turns out as well, that this place WAO, as gallant as their goals are, and as dedicated as their help and volunteers are, is still "ripe for picking" and has seen a parade of CEO's and other management, all with sticky fingers and personal $$ signs on their eyeballs. The founders were double-dipping a bit, so their daughter got the board to 86 them and she took over. Then, true to her upbringing, like mother like daughter, she got caught. They gave her the boot at a meeting she missed, changed the locks, and poof. Also got rid of one BOD member who had a personal vendetta to turn the sanctuary into a theme park to vie with 6 Flags. Somehow, this guy, Sam Sherwood, ended up as the new CEO who was busy dusting off his new desk on Monday while the old (interim) CEO -Cryer- was selling stuff to the recyclers for his beer money. Apparently he missed the comforts of jail life and has a subconscious urge to go back...

Calls to the Marion County DA confirmed that there indeed was an agreement between him and both Texas animal orphanages that took two cats each. A copy was faxed to us, and WAO as well. Looking it over, it's not much of an agreement, and I have to conclude the Marion County DA would do well to have somebody else write up his "agreements." But however simple and brief it is, it still clearly implies that the cages are NOT theirs to sell off until after mid-August. Good old Jamie Cryer, caught outside their gates on May 13, before we left the place, said, "Well, you seizure people never get your equipment back anyway, so we junked them..." Sherwood offered us two of their "finest" cages, in return for ours. These were utterly unacceptable. for starters: door on one side only, and wrong size for our use; no way to lock door except with a chain; one with a flat tire; mesh on all sides, including tops and floors, offering no protection at all from sun or elements... And that's just for starters.

Automatic water bowls in them too. -Automatic bowls, that you hook a hose or pipe to, in a TEMPORARY transport cage? -And they called OUR cages "living quarters"? Those auto waterers are for the convenience of the PEOPLE, so they don't have to go fill them twice a day or more. In transit, there's no way to dump these bowls so they won't spill, as they are bolted to the side caging. But what do I know? I'm not the rescuer.

Anyway, we returned home empty-handed. Trip across the state a total waste of time and expense. Now we're concerned if that's what's in store for us at the other two places. Wouldn't that be fun to drive up to Wisconsin and find the cages aren't there?

One of our cages- One they offered-

Photo taken sometime after arrival at WAO. Photo taken when we were there.

Obviously, this one hadn't been cleaned Scrap plywood serving as a "floor" since Marion County! 3 food pans, never removed...

Straw that'd been placed by Marion DA, still there

3 weeks later

An email exchange with Jeff Kozlowski, of Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue, confirms that they indeed have the six cages, and no, they don't intend to recycle them for pocket change. According to him, they also intend to have the broken wheels fixed up by the time we come, so we won't have to use a fork lift to load them! If that's the truth, Thank You, Jeff. At my age, you begin to really appreciate little things like wheels!
 
Before this entry could be posted, I got word from a reliable source that another load of caging materials was sold for scrap iron this morning (May 18th) to the recycling facility by "someone" from WAO -very likely Jamie Cryer or his brother (or both?) . Their security camera and purchase log should say for sure. I guess theft is a hard habit to break. But at the rate all these people are looting their own animal orphanage, pretty soon there won't be anything left for a new CEO to manage, so it won't matter if he/she is trustworthy or not, since there'll be nothing to entrust to them! Considering the run-around and tall tales we got from Sam Sherwood, I'm not sure he's the man for that job either, unless the staff and board really do want it turned into a theme park -profits from which would benefit the Sherwood Foundation. That is, IF they could make a profit, considering their proximity to Sea World.

The Transporter Give-a-way

I've been praying for the WAO's animals health and well-being of late.  Are they getting enough food?  Medical care?  Fresh water?  Clean quarters?

I heard the grounds look absolutely terrible, with high grass and weeds everywhere. The trails probably have a lot of debris again, such as plastic wrappers, old meat pieces, latex gloves, land other debris, etc. I would not be surprised, because of all the high grass and weeds that the property is infected with mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.  How heartbreaking to hear this news when we all worked so hard to clean this place up.

I learned Henry Newman (“handyman”) and Jamie’s brother have been scrounging for scrap metal to sell. Large metal cages were seen carted away from the Talley Road property in the back of the WAO pickup truck.

My concern is they may be scrapping animal cages needed in the event of an emergency (natural disasters, fire, disease, animal relocation, etc). Regardless, what is done is done. Once all the metal is gone, what will they scrap next to raise funds? The WAO has such a finite supply of recyclable products; I’m not sure how much longer the workers can continue to recycle its own supplies.

So, realizing there is not much I can do at this point, seeing I no longer have an insider to advise me of the WAO’s situation, I am forced to come to grips there may not be anything I can do to save the WAO animals.

I did make an Public Information request with the Texas OAG, for the period of October 1, 2009 to present, and learned they have approximately 500 pages ready for print, not including my emails sent previously. I was given an estimated bill of over $91 for the print job. Yikes! At a time when I need every dollar to pay off my mounting bills, the OAG wants to charge me almost one hundred dollars for the prints. I don’t understand why these documents cannot be scanned and the disk sent to me instead! Saves on paper and cost of mailing the package!

Unexpectedly, I received this email link and blog story last night:

Back on the Home Front
http://topcatsroar.wordpress.com/2010/05/16/back-on-the-home-front/#comments


Fred and I took a short road trip that turned out not to be so short but we are now back home safely.


The agreement we made with the DA to get out of jail (remember, the agreement we both had to sign so we would release ownership of the cats to get out of jail), in return, all charges criminal and the civil suit would be dropped. BUT we would be responsible for retrieving our cages for transporting the big cats…yea, that one…(Of course we were led to believe the rest would be returned…or we never would have signed anything!)


Magic and Boo-Boo (black panthers), Elvira (Puma), Angel and Desire’ (registered Siberian Tigers) went to Wisconsin.
Tigger and Natasha (registered Siberian tigers) went to a Kirbyville.
and Boris and Gizmo (registered SDiberian tiger, rescued tiger mix) went to WAO (Wild Animal Orphanage) of San Antonio, TX.


We started our drive late Sunday afternoon, traveled down the 59 towards Houston.
The plan was to get to the other side of Houston late so there wouldn’t be much traffic as Fred was driving our large truck. That part worked out great until the brake line broke (developed a leak) along the way…It was much too late to find a mechanic or parts to be able to make the repair ourselves so, we spent the night, got up early considering the time we finally stopped to sleep, to get it repaired.
Mechanics there get $100.00 an hour (!), so on to O’Reiley’s. They were so helpful and loaned Fred the tools…a few hours later, and back on the road.


I had called WAO last week to advise them we were coming and left a message for someone to return my call. I called again on Saturday and left yet another message for a return phone call…I called once again on Monday to speak with someone to let them know it would be Tuesday or Wednesday to pick up the cages instead because of the breakdown. Samuel Sherwood spoke with me telling me it was his first day of taking over the sanctuary. He said he had no information about the cats or the agreement with District Attorney William Gleason.

I told him I had a copy of the agreement between Marion County and us and pictures of the cages before and after the seizure and could identify the cages, no problem. I also told him about the breakdown and would not be there until Tuesday or Wednesday as I was also picking some things up that were in storage that weren’t far from San Antonio and that would give him the time to locate the paperwork and the cages…no problem. (Please remember that was MONDAY)

I called Tuesday to give him an update, left a message, no one returned my call…again on Wednesday (after a tire blew) with yet another update, left a message, no one returned my call…all I could do was leave messages; Samuel was always on the phone or had someone in his office…much to busy to speak with me!?!?!?

We had a blow out on one of the tires (more like an explotion!) in the middle of no where and had to wait 3 hours for road service! I finally found someone to bring us 2 tires and install one, the other we would have as a spare should it happen again. It was quite late so we stopped at the first hotel we could find…ugh! I didn’t know places like that were still around!


The following day we hit the road and stopped at a roadside picnic area to make lunch and call them once again. Now I call and Samuel answers the phone(!). He tells me he can’t locate the cages and has no paperwork! He also tells me he doesn’t have the cages! He says when they pick up cats, they are transferred to the WAO transport cages and that the police department destroyed them!?!?

First I’m told he’s new and knows nothing and now he’s telling me their policies? Doesn’t he know how far I am traveling to get my property? I don’t want to play his game!


I told him that I doubted that and would be making calls about the situation to the Marion County Sheriff’s office and get back to him. I also confirmed that I was told it was my responsibility to get the cages from WAO as my agreement with the District Attorney…that we had been in court since and was given the information at that time. There was no mention of the cages being in Marion County and that Marion County would have either expected me to pick them up or would have brought them back to my property; this just didn’t sound like he knew what he was talking about. I also told him I had traveled at my expense to get the cages and his agreement was with the County District Attorney and they were to keep them for 6 months for me to retrieve them.

What I didn’t say was that no way was I buying his story.

Now I’m also becoming irritated…I call the Marion County Sheriff’s office to find out what the situation was with making the transfer, Kirbyville was extremely cooperative and is holding the cages for as long as it takes, even told me after 6 months and not to worry about it.

Why was this a different story being told to me…think because they want to keep those cages or sold them?!? And certainly why wait to finally talk to me after I am so close to San Antonio…Something to do with respect too I imagine…after all, my animals were seized…

Well this sanctuary was embezzling money, animals were not receiving the benefits from the donations, animals missing…a take over and reason he got his fancy little job. WTF!?!

Seems the new guy is as bad as the rest were…(HELLO…we’re available, lol!)


I think Samuel had better straighten this matter out and locate those cages…that sanctuary doesn’t need more problems…looks like they don’t care…more on that later, I’m getting ahead of myself.


I spoke with Marion County and everyone had left for the day so, another night out…ugh…these stinking hotel rooms good, bad, and otherwise weren’t cheap!

Bill McKay’s secretary, Linda, is a sweetheart! She got on the phone and started to search out who would know and sent me to the DA’s office…
Would they help?
Do they have to?
I was left with things going thru my mind and that there’s more to this story!


Thursday morning I started making the calls once again only this time, I started with the DA office. Time someone told me about the transfer and if they had signed agreements or what? Yep, all roads led to Mr. Gleason…I have to call the DA’s office and get help from a man I fear and come not to trust…would he and could I?

I left a message for Mr. Gleason or Larry Nance to call me back. Calls are going back and forth and Mr. Gleason sends me and them a fax of their agreement with him. I wait about thirty minutes and call WAO, Samuel answers, and he tells me he did not receive a fax. I tell him I’ll call Mr. Gleason as I received the fax he sent me and ask if I should send it to him, he said no. So I said I would call Mr. Gleason back to see if their copy was sent and asked for his fax number for verification. He said “Oh, don’t do that, you’ll make him mad.” I said “Not my concern. If Mr. Gleason gets mad about having to resend the fax it was not my concern or my problem, I was there to pick up my cages, see Boris and Gizmo and make the long drive back.”


I call Mr. Gleason, verify the fax number and confirm with him I received my copy and ask him to resend. They claim no fax, I’m sitting at a roadside, wait another 30 minutes, call again and a lady answers this time, her name is Michele. She said they received the fax that I sent??? I tell her I’m sitting at a picnic table and that came from the Marion County District Attorney’s office…she says oh, we’ll get back to you…

WOW! Suddenly Samuel is available and telling me they need to locate the cages, they don’t know where they are or which ones are mine, give him a few minutes and call him back. So, now he realizes his first story wasn’t going to work out…he needs time to think up another…he acknowledges that he received the fax and NOW knows they are responsible for the cages. I know that this Michelle and her husband were there for the transfer…


A while later, my phone rings…it’s Samuel (how shocking, he called me) and now he’s talking fast (you know the type of conversation that starts with “Here’s what I can do for you!”) and he’s got yet, get this, another ‘story’ about the cages being destroyed only this time THEY destroyed the cages on MONDAY! WTF?!? I told them the week before that I was coming for them…I’m beginning to fume…

Now I’m tiring of his game! But agree to listen…well, not exactly because I wanted to but because he insisted and wouldn’t let me get a word in.

Here’s his tale: “We destroyed those cages because they were so crappy and didn’t meet USDA regulations so we’re going to give you two of ours.”
I said wait a minute, he kept talking and I’m not buying this BS at all! Talking like a ‘con artist’ or one of those ‘high pressure salesman’…oh, that’s the same thing…He finally stops talking and allows me to talk…

I told him that he didn’t know what he was talking about. That my transport cages were just rebuilt. That those transport cages were approved by the USDA and had been inspected a day before the seizure. Furthermore, it was THEIR responsibility to keep them for 6 months per THEIR agreement with Marion County and for me to retrieve them. Furthermore, my agreement with Marion County was to retrieve my property only, not accept anything less, during that time.

We attempted to do that. Please keep in mind we were NOT allowed to look at their storage area for my property! We were at one of two properties were they keep animals.
Back to the song and dance part…he says he will offer me ‘better cages’ that belonged to WAO to satisfy the agreement…was sure I’d be happy with that…HA, he hasn’t been to my blog now has he??!!

Says he was leaving at 4 and if he wasn’t there, could talk to his man in charge, Jamie if I wanted to see the cages and take them with me, my cages were destroyed and nothing he could do about it…I told him I was coming…now 1:30 (!) but if they weren’t like mine I would not accept them. He said it was the best he could do. I told him it might not be good enough and he would be explaining that to Mr. Gleason if I don’t take them, not my problem! It would be between him and District Attorney Gleason. If he was afraid I would make Mr. Gleason mad before, he should really be scared now!


We arrived at this place at 3:30. As we are pulling in we see two men jump in their car and leave. (hummmmm, could one of those men have been Samuel?!?) We go inside past the sign that says the place is closed…WTF?!?

The fencing looks nice, tall privacy fencing, and enter the building. There are a few novelty items for sell, the walls need painting, the floors need mopping; looking ragged would be the nicest term I have to say about it…large display cases sit nearly empty as well as the racks.
There are brochures on top of the display cages…YES, I took some…Doors open to what appears to be offices. We meet some lady named Michele. I ask for Samuel and she says he’s gone…but it’s not 4 yet…Oh, he left an hour ago and won’t be back…hummmm….OK, I ask for Jamie (her husband!!!)…he’s not in and won’t be for another hour and a half…
I ask if the cages sitting outside were the ones they were offering and she said they were…I told her they weren’t acceptable! Broken tiny wheels, old wooden warped floors and no ‘slop doors’ (in other words if you transport an animal in this cage, you could not clean it out!) a door on one side and the rest, including the top, is of wire (!????). The metal was thin walled materials and only 2 braces on the bottom…

NOT ACCEPTABLE! She’s mad! Had someone destroyed her property she would not accept anything less…why should we!????!!!

I ask to see Boris and Gizmo so Michele calls a care giver, Michele…yea right, another Michele…go figure…

We go outside into the sanctuary…it’s run down and the grass overgrown. We walk past a large bear and this girl is talking to the animals along the way…and I see Boris pacing in the front. I ask if he’s always pacing or just excited to see me…of course I know the path of pacing…it’s a clear path along the sides and front of the caging with grass grown around where he’s not pacing, I know what I’m looking at! But maybe she didn’t want me to worry. This person was very nice with 15 years experience. There were no enhancement for him…
He was phuffing and rubbing the fence the way he always did when he saw me. He started licking the fencing like he always did but he’s extremely thin! His coat short with thick mane and alone in a large cage! Boris is a very social animal, always with one of the other tigers. It’s apparent he’s not happy! Nothing I can do about that, I no longer own him…makes me wish I had stayed in jail!


Michele tells me they are short of funds and short handed. Let’s hope so considering the condition of the place…only excuse for it being so run down.

I see another cage and a tiger lying on top of a wooden box intended for shelter. I call him as I always do…”Hey Gizmo!” No response…I call to him again and he looks and then a double take…he flew off the box and came running to the fence…He’s licking the fence and I’ve got tears in my eyes…we have a conversation as he phuffs at me. He too is quite thin…remember I have pictures. First taken by the Marion County sheriff’s department and least we forget the media! And my own set taken by Fred.

There’s old chicken in the cage but he hasn’t been pacing. Gizmo probably just lays around accept when time for food…Both those tigers are accustom to 10-15 pounds of chicken and 5-8 pounds of beef each day…hummmm


I see many other cages and probably the largest group of capuchins I have ever seen and go back to the side of Boris’ cage for a few licks (kisses). All my tigers were trained to kiss and they weren’t being asked to give a kiss…they were giving.

As he rubs on the cage, the side of the cage moves so I ask if there is a break in the weld and she said no that that’s just the way it is but I bet further investigation would have found a break somewhere…well, not my responsibility I suppose…they have been inspected by the USDA and considering the large number of animals with two locations, it would be through. But I would do the research and see after arriving home. I did, and I am shocked! Last July and not what I had expected to read.


I’m hearing everyone complaining about donations and being short handed…Michele has to go the their other property to give medications and do whatever she has to finish at the end of the day. We go back in the office, she leaves.

I’m told Jamie is not back. So I left my info and tell them we have another tire problem and need to get it repaired while I still could get it done so we could head back, it’s now about 5. We go outside and see 2-3 guys parking and open the gate to either unload or load up.
Fred and I look at each other and decide I should inquire if one is Jamie. He should have been looking for me not me him.

He confirms that they destroyed the cages MONDAY…I asked exactly how they managed to do it and why because one cage is solid steal on three sides with 3/4 inch plywood and solid plastic floor that had just been reworked including the tires with tick walled steal! The other has strips of solid stele and the wire rated for keeping bears, the thickest made I believe…anyway, he says they used a claw(?) and crushed it and then…get this…hauled them to the dump…BULLSCHITT JAMIE…I then looked him square in the eye and asked why, they were better than what they were offering. He said “You seizure people never get your cages back anyway”…WHAT THE F**K!?!…I said…”Well you now have a problem with the Marion County District Attorney!” He shrugged his shoulders…OMG! They are asking for the rath of God now…

WAO are in breech of contract with Marion County, not me…who is this guy with this big wad of tobacco in his mouth think he’s talking to!?!? I drove almost 400 miles (more actually seeking repairs and getting lost!) for nothing with hwy diesel fuel costing more than $3.00 (usually $3.10)…stayed in motel rooms starting at $50.00, and the truck repairs for this??!!
They didn’t destroy those cages, that’s obvious and someone knows where they are and had better get them to me quick! I’ve become a very pushy broad and they are pushing me hard!


HUMMMMM, and there’s someone in the Valley wondering why I didn’t contact THIS sanctuary to take the cats in the first place…Commenting on how I’ve changed…THIS IS A NO LIMIT BLOG OF MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND FEELINGS…get over it! I’ve changed! My animals have been wronged, I have been wronged and this is just one more to add to the list!

Check this link lady I checked them out…you do the same!
http://www.rexano.org/WAO.htm
Make sure you check those links!
Until now, NEITHER ME OR FRED HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW MUCH LESS BEEN IN JAIL!
How dare they take these cats and place them at this sanctuary!
Now they have some guy by the name of Samuel Sherwood taking over with Jamie still in charge! WTF?
http://www.rexano.org/hypocritical_sanctuaries.htm
Check that link too!


I called Mr. Gleason Friday to give an update and he was as shocked as I. Wondered why a sanctuary would destroy those cages!! He knew those were great cages…he knows they were approved for transport by the USDA.

Now I also reminded him of our agreement. I did my part within the time frame…Marion County is now in breech of a contract with me! They assumed the responsibility of those cages with the confiscation. MY PROPERTY YES but there are rules in the Texas Code that concerns the return of confiscated property and while I agreed to go get them I did not agree to go there twice at my expense!

Furthermore, should I drive all the way to WI and run into the same problem?!?!
I’m looking into a transport company rather than have this happen again! Maybe some kind person will come to my aid and retrieve those cages for us but I truly doubt I’ll find anyone coming this way with an empty truck big enough to retrieve those cages…see you soon Jeff! Those cages better be there and in as good a condition as last I saw them before you transported those cats!


Funny, I had told several people I was going to ask the followers of this blog to donate to the sanctuaries that have the animals…don’t bother…looks like they are ALL thieves! Reprinting the media and whatever slanderous garbage they can…lying and stealing other peoples animals and property…grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr


The lady that has both Tigger and Natasha seems to be different, we’ll see soon enough when we go after those cages!

Funny, there is a cage still here (remember Dandy) and the wheels are just fine! Mr. Gleason said they didn’t do the damage, then who did? I have the pictures and one cage here! Those wheels were either new or rebuilt…WTF?!?!?!


Again, I repeat, this is an adult blog and if you don’t like my colorful language, lock your children out and if I have offended you then don’t come here for your Internet entertainment.
If you are concerned about everything that has gone on and apparently continues to go on than I want to hear from you! If you have a means to offer help than please, let us know!


We were not convicted of any crime…unlike many others…never even been suspected of any crime, unlike others…


Either comment or email me at barbara@exoticendangeredcatsoftheworld.com
My old web site: www.exoticendangeredcatsoftheworld.com
-B
Pictures? Of course we have pictures…stay tuned!


We’ve returned ‘home’

Realizing that the cages were probably sold for scrap metal, I posted a response to the site, so the former animal owners would know the truth. I know Barbara and Fred think the WAO’s staff is hiding the transporters, keeping the cages because they are better than the WAO’s transporters, but I truly believe they were scrapped for their metal value.

What is worse, the two offered transporters are WAO property, paid for supposedly by IFAW, and offered to Barbara and Fred as possible replacements! Yikes – the WAO only had 5-6 transporters at Leslie Road. Giving away two transporters would present a major safety/health problem for the WAO animals and staff. What the heck are the Cryers and Shermans’ thinking? Have they totally lost their minds?

At least Gizmo and Boris’ former owners have a great case against the WAO’s directors since they supposedly destroyed their property. Based on all the stories the Cryers and Shermans allegedly told Barbara and Fred, it appears nothing has changed at the WAO. First, the Asvestas’ lying about the animals’ health condition and now the Cryers/Shermans lying about their business transactions.

No doubt they will try to pin this problem on Nicole too!

I have been communicating with Barbara off-line and she told me the animals looked really thin when she last visited the facility, the office looked “ratty” and the grounds looked absolutely terrible.

It took four months to clean up the facility and in just under six minutes, the Cryers returned the WAO to its former state of disrepair. I heard they are unable to open up for tours because the property looks so bad.

As long as the doors remain closed, donations will dry up and folks will stop going to the WAO’s website. As it stands, the new “directors” have no idea how to update the web site! What a joke! Instead of sucking up their pride, and simply ask Nicole for the web information, they will allow the WAO to lose web traffic, thereby lose donations.

No doubt, the WAO’s current web traffic numbers were reduced to pre-Garcia levels since no update has been made since May 1, 2010. Back in the day, Ron and Carol rarely updated the website, so web traffic was low. Once the web pages were updated, new material added, the number of donations and web visitors increased two and in some cases, threefold! Ah, the power of the web! Any true business person knows it’s important to have an updated website, encouraging repeat business and referrals.

I am truly scared for the animals as I believe the pride of the new directors will prevent the animals from receiving the help they need. I have reason to believe the Cryers and the Sherwoods are lying to the USDA and the OAG regarding the WAO’s true financial status. I also believe it is their pride getting in the way of the truth that these two “families” do not have the skills and abilities necessary to save the animals. This is quite evident since the facility has been closed since May 1, 2010, donations have gone done despite the emergency appeal sent out during the first week of May 2010, and phone calls are not being returned in a prompt manner by the directors.

The worse part about this situation is that “pride” does not feed, clean, and properly house the WAO animals. The current “directors” made a really big mistake ousting Nicole Garcia. Instead of working with her and her staff, they showed them the door. Why could they have not work with her, helped her, save the WAO animals? Instead, they made her their scapegoat, blaming all their problems on her. And the animals are caught in the middle of this cat fight.

It should be interesting to learn how Marion County District Attorney’s Office will hand the breach of contact between the County and the WAO. I pray the animals will not have to pay the fine or the transporters replacement costs – I pray the Cryers and Sherwoods pay out of THEIR own pockets the $7,000 owed to Barbara and Fred. After all, they screwed up and they should pay – not the animals!