No Backup Plan

Yesterday night I sent the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, and email requesting his Office act on this troubling case, instead of just “monitoring” the situation.

I also notified Dr. Pannill, USDA/APHIS, that the City Public Service (electricity) planned to cut power to the Talley Road facility unless the $895 outstanding electricity bill is paid in full.

Apparently, the USDA/APHIS called the WAO, requesting if the CPS bill was paid in full, as the facility requires electricity to run the WAO’s only freezer, its refrigerator, and water pumps. I say that because when Nicole tried to verify if the bill was paid, she was told she was just taken off the account. Apparently, the Cryers and the Sherwoods did not like the fact that Nicole still had access to the account and informed the USDA/APHIS of the impending problem. So I wonder who actually paid the bill. WAO? Cryers? Sherwood?

As I tried to tell the Board in 2006, the WAO cannot sustain the animals they currently have in its possession. In order for any part of the WAO to survive, approximately 200 big animals will need to be relocated to other credible, safe, and financial secure sanctuaries. I believe the board is operating under the delusion that it can continue to pay $17,000 in food supplies, and $7,000 per month (4-full-time animal caretakers, 1 – part-time animal caretaker, 3- maintenance workers, 1 – director, 3 part-time office staff, 1 –accountant, 1 – full –time accounting clerk) in employee expenses. This cost does not include electricity, land mortgage, auto loans, veterinarian costs, credit card costs, fines, etc. I estimate the total costs per month equal approximately $30,000!

I don’t care how much the Cryers and the Sherwoods try and raise right now, the long-term picture does not look good for the WAO unless it can reduce the number of big cats at the WAO!

I find it very interesting IFAW has not put out an appeal for the WAO! They have an Emergency Relief Team that responds to these types of emergencies—so where are they now? According to an IFAW article found at:
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_united_states/media_center/press_releases/3_1_2005_41529.php, the WAO is “an IFAW-funded sanctuary. If this is true, then why are they not bailing the WAO out, yet again?

Well, I think I may know the answer to that question. I reviewed the years ending in 2006-2009 990s for IFAW, and was not surprised to see donations to the organization significantly declined in year ending 2009 (2008 990). More funds are sent to third world countries than the United States, to assist with certain natural disasters, than to the WAO.

So as it stands today, the WAO is not looking to place animals into new homes. The new directors apparently are trying to keep all the animals together in the hopes that a really big donation will come in and save the day. So much for a back-up plan.