The Wild Bunch at the WAO

I received a pleasant surprise that Enrique wanted to continue to cover the WAO story! He and I spoke for a few minutes regarding the information he required for his story and then viola!

Another chapter of the WAO story...

Wild Bunch: troubled SA sanctuary looking to unload hundreds of animals
Enrique Lopetegui
candombe108@yahoo.com

Ron and Carol Asvestas built it, then screwed it up; next, daughter Nicole García sacked Mom and Dad; then, the new board, led by Jamie and Michelle Anthony-Cryer, sacked García. Such has been the very wild history of the Wild Animal Orphanage. If the cycle is to continue, who will sack the Cryers? That is, if there is a Wild Animal Orphanage left at all.

On August 23, a message was posted by Laurie Gage, big cat specialist for the USDA, on a Google animal-lovers’ group. “The Wild Animal Orphanage near San Antonio, Texas is having difficulty caring for their animals,” the message read. “They are now trying to find homes for 55 tigers, 14 lions, 3 cougars, 6 wolf hybrids, 2 old (17 years) leopards, and about 200 primates.”

Former WAO vice-president and treasurer (and recent volunteer) Kristina Brunner expects the worse. “It looks like the Cryers decided it was too much work to save the WAO, so they have thrown in the towel,” she wrote in an email. “My heart is completely broken over this.”

Not so fast, cat lady. According to Rob Mitchell, listed as “community relations” man for WAO, the orphanage is alive and, uh, well.

“Are we closing? Not that I know of,” Mitchell told the Current on Friday. The search for new homes is “a normal function,” he said. “That happens all the time. We’re not shutting down.”

It happens all the time? Really? The 280 animals in need of homes represent more than half of the “approximately 400 animals” WAO claims in its website. Not even at the lowest point during the Asvestas’s era did the orphanage attempt such a massive animal exodus.

“No, this is not common,” said Gage. “From what I understand, the WAO has had some financial difficulties.” (You don’t say.) “Our USDA inspector in Texas has been going there frequently to ensure the care of the animals there meets the Animal Welfare Standards. If the facility were to run out of funding, then the animals will need new homes. We are trying to prepare for the worst-case scenario, but hope for the best. Presently all of the animals are owned by the WAO and it [is] up to them as to where they may be placed.”

Besides a fine here and there and a state of near-perpetual investigations, authorities as late as May had not found any criminal wrongdoing at WAO.

“Our office has taken no legal action against this San Antonio facility nor do we anticipate any, at this point,” Tom Kelley, spokesperson for the Texas Office of Attorney General, told Animal People magazine in May. “We are monitoring their efforts daily, nothing more.”

Those who support the current administration suggest the lack of legal action proves the accusations against the orphanage are greatly exaggerated; hard-line animal lovers blame federal and state agencies and laws for “speciesism,” that is, allowing people to get away with things that, if done to humans, would have landed them in jail.

But ask any of WAO’s leaders about lack of funds or food for the animals and they’ll blame the previous administration. The new board accused García of trying to keep them in the dark about WAO’s finances (even though she insists she never had access to the bank accounts). García blames her parents for destroying the orphanage and claims that, in the six months she was in charge, things were slowly but steadily improving.

My take, after visiting and speaking to different characters in the Wild World of WAO: Nicole and Kristine (and, especially, Kristine), where let go because they were all over peoples’ asses when it came to animal care and management. Based on internal emails I was able to review, every fundraising effort by García to gradually introduce new board members and phase out older ones, were thwarted by the board.

“I think we need to hold off on bringing anyone else onto the board until we have sufficient time to determine what our course of action is going to be,” wrote former board member Sumner Matthes on April 8. “I hope by the middle of next week we will be able to determine what we are going to do about the board’s current or new membership.”

The rest is history. On April 30, García was terminated in what she calls an illegal (there was no quorum, she says) and retaliatory termination.

“[Some workers] kept complaining that Nicole never listened to their fundraising ideas,” Brunner said. “So I’d say, ‘Shoot. Tell me about it.’ And they would come up with these off-the-wall ideas, like having a meat barbecue on WAO’s property. I thought they were out of their minds.”

In a 2009 interview with the Current, Lynn Cuny, founder of the model Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation sanctuary near Kendalia, echoed the feelings of the average hardcore animal lover. “If you’re going to be eating one animal in order to raise money to feed another, then I don’t think you’re doing your job and I don’t think you’re holding that really true high standard of what an animal protection organization is and what they stand for.”

WAO’s President of the Board Michelle Anthony-Cryer didn’t return our phone call, and husband Jamie Cryer, listed as director and animal rescue team manager, could not be reached for comment. Even spokesperson Mitchell, who works part-time for WAO on weekends, told me he was at his other job and was “very busy right now.” The numbers he gave me (“there should be somebody at the office right now”) are the same ones listed on WAO’s website. One is not in service; the other one has no answering machine.

“It was all a set-up,” said García, now a bartender in Leon Valley. “From what I remember back when my mom and dad were still on the board, Michelle [Anthony-Cryer] made a statement, three or four years ago, that she would be glad to take the orphanage over because she didn’t feel my parents had it in their hearts to take care of the animals. I was just used as a pawn to get my parents out. I think this was planned the entire time by [Anthony-Cryer]. That’s what I feel in my heart.”

She chokes back tears.

“I’m sorry, I’m very emotional about this, but nobody cares about the animals. They would rather keep me and Kristina [Brunner] out of there, and all the others who wanted to help out of there, than allow Kristina and I to implement the long list of plans we had for the orphanage.”

The plan included revamped volunteer programs (120 military students from Lackland had already committed to do repairs in early May), the Animal Talk e-newsletter, animal toy and donation drives, and a partnership with the Red Cross.

“[The Cryers] would rather see it fail and close than allow us to get back to that place and try to save it. There’s no need for all this. There’s no need for animals to be placed anywhere. It’s ridiculous. It’s just a personal thing from a married couple against everybody else. And for what? [Anthony-Cryer and the Matthes’] were supposed to be the quorum, but Elise [Matthes] wasn’t voted in as a member by a quorum of three. They tried to [terminate me] by default, and hoped no one would notice. By I know my [by-] laws. It was a retaliation termination, and I have the right to have my job back. I want to put the right people in there, and then walk away.”

Is she admitting that she was not qualified to run WAO in the first place?

“Look ... I would stay long enough to get the place back in order, two to three years, and get some non-profit professionals who know what they’re doing and keep the place alive. Then I’ll move on and pursue another life. This has taken so much from me.”

A rumor has it (I so hate reporting rumors, but I've been assured this one is on target) that one of the workers, Henry, has not been paid about five weeks. If this is true, then it makes me wonder how many other employees did not receive paychecks, in violation of the Texas Payday Law. I tried calling the senior animal caretakers, but both WAO paid for cell phones are non-functioning.

The situation is far worse under the Cryer administration. And with animals relocating all over the US, I am saddened I will never see these animals again. I just wish I had more time to say goodbye to them.

WAO Alert

Since I am simply too upset to blog, I thought I'd just post my email to the OAG since it is open to the Public Information Act...

To: James Anthony
Cc: christopher.krhovjak@oag.state.tx.us
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 8:34 PM
Subject: Wild Animal Orphanage - Closing?


Dear Mr. Anthony:

For the last several days I have been working on the WAO Fundraising Report which describes in detail exactly what it will take to improve the WAO's financial situation. As soon as it is complete, I will email it to you right away.

In the meantime, it has become very clear to me the Cryers and WAO Board of Directors have zero interest in fundraising for the animals. In fact, their very actions thus far supports the allegation that they desire to let the WAO wither away, relocating animals to other facilities and those animals not lucky enough to find homes—to be euthanized. The Cryers were ill-equipped to run the WAO and I am appalled that they are still in charge of this sanctuary due to their incompetency.

I was made aware that the Cryers elected to stop the Wal-mart meat program in the middle of an already paid for month. For $100 per month, the animals would have received a variety of meats to include: pot roast, brisket, large fish, shrimp, chicken, cold cuts, steaks, etc, from three Wal-mart stores, with the option to include two more stores for an additional $50 per month. The WAO received thousands of dollars worth of meat each month—while the program did not feed all the animals each day, it did help reduce the cost of meat required to feed the animals daily. I can only assume the Cryers stopped this wonderful meat program because the USDA wrote the WAO up for taking in meat without logging the type and quantity prior to dispensing the meat to the animals. Now it is my understanding the Cryers are having trouble obtaining meat for the WAO animals. I can assure you, if I was still volunteering at the WAO, I would have moved heaven and earth to make sure the Wal-mart meat program continued, for it provided a lot of meat for the WAO animals. If it was a matter of money, I would have paid for the continuation of this program out of my own pocket.

Even more disturbing, and of course confirming my allegations that the Cryers have zero interest in fund-raising for the animals, I received this email today:

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

Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 3:25 PM

Subject: 200 plus exotic animals need homes IMPORTANT

Hi All,

Just wanted to forward this as I received it from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

Shows how hard it can be to care for these types of animals. Please pass this on if you know of

any one that can house some of these animals.

Thanks,

Suzanne Billiar, DVM

From: aazv-l+noreply@googlegroups.com

To: aazv-l+digest@googlegroups.com

Sent: 8/25/2010 5:14:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Subj: [AAZV-L] Digest for aazv-l@googlegroups.com - 1 Message in 1 Topic

Today's Topic Summary

Group: http://groups.google.com/group/aazv-l/topics

· Need Help with finding homes for 200 + animals [1 Update]

Topic: Need Help with finding homes for 200 + animals

Wetwildvet@aol.com Aug 23 08:49PM -0400 ^

Hi All

The Wild Animal Orphanage near San Antonio, Texas is having difficulty

caring for their animals. They are now trying to find homes for 55 tigers, 14

lions, 3 cougars, 6 wolf hybrids, 2 old (17 years) leopards, and about

200 primates: 18 vervet monkeys, 2 barbary macaques, 2 patas monkeys, 23 +/-

capuchins, 21 baboons (several infants in group), 16 chimps (5 HIV +may

have homes already) and approximately 134 macaques, all retired research

animals.

We are working on finding homes for many of the animals but if you know of

a facility who would be willing to take one or more of any of these

animals, please contact me at _laurie.j.gage@aphis.usda.gov_

(mailto:laurie.j.gage@aphis.usda.gov) . Also if you or your facility might be able to make

donations of primate or big cat food, or able to help with the transportation

of animals, please let me know. Right now the animals all belong to the

WAO and the transfer would be between the WAO and your facility. Donations

of food or other resources would go to the WAO. USDA Animal Care is trying

to help with the situation. We may be able to arrange for transportation

of some of the animals.

Thanks all in advance for any thoughts, ideas, donations or advice.

Laurie Gage, DVM, DIpl. ACZM

Big Cat Specialist USDA APHIS Animal Care

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No longer is the WAO a permanent home for its animals, as declared on the WAO website since the bobcats were relocated to The Wildcat Sanctuary and Carrie (caracal) and Sebestian (serval) were relocated to Wildcat Haven. I have learned all the bears are going to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado as soon as their enclosures are completed.

The WAO is lying to the public regarding the state of the WAO. Sadly, the Cryers continue to advertise animals on the WAO’s website that the facility no longer has either due to animal relocation or death.

The Cryers also apparently lied to the Texas Workforce Commission – Appeal Tribunal regarding the reason why Nicole Garcia was terminated.

The first reason given as to why Ms. Garcia’s’ employment was terminated was apparently due to the purchase of the copier (authorization approved by Will West as President of the WAO) and because she allegedly opened a “secret” bank account with Bank of America (which was later proven to be co-opened by Michelle Cryer and Will West).

Since the evidence submitted to the TWC Appeal Tribunal along with confirmation from Michelle’s Cryer’s own witness, Kimberly Meyer, that Nicole was not responsible for WAO’s financial matters, the reason for termination changed once again.

Instead, Michelle Cryer claimed Ms. Garcia was terminated because, as a board director, she refused to attend a mandatory board meeting. The TWC hearing officer requested a copy of the WAO’s By-laws so as to confirm whether or not Ms. Garcia’s non-attendance to WAO’s board meeting was a termination offense. The hearing was postponed until the hearing officer received a copy of the by-laws.

When the hearing reconvened this week, Michelle Cryer changed the reason for Ms. Garcia’s employment termination once again. This time, Michelle Cryer apparently told the hearing officer that Nicole Garcia was never a board director/member and she was terminated because she refused, as an employee, to attend the board meeting. I was told when the hearing officer challenged Michelle Cryer’s assertion that Ms. Garcia was never a WAO board director/member; Michelle Cryer repeated that Ms. Garcia was never a WAO board member, despite the evidence submitted to the contrary.

The TWC hearings were taped, and as soon as Nicole Garcia receives confirmation as to the status of her unemployment benefits, she and I intend to obtain a copy of hearing (if allowable).

It is my opinion that the Cryers took over the WAO under false circumstances. I believe the reason why Michelle Cryer wanted to run the facility was not because she “cared about the animals” (for if she did, why did she NOT volunteer her time at either the WAO’s Leslie or Talley Road facilities from January – April 2010?), but because she wanted to be the new “Carol Asvestas” and plus of her apparent dislike for Nicole Garcia. It is my opinion Michelle Cryer took over the facility for her own personal reasons and not for the benefit of the WAO animals.

While I was volunteering at the WAO from January – April 2010, Michelle Cryer NEVER visited the animals and NEVER went through the WAO financial records. According to the email traffic I reviewed between Nicole Garcia and Michelle Cryer, it became quite clear to me that she could not be bothered to help Ms. Garcia with fundraising activities and it was very clear Michelle Cryer had an extreme dislike of working with Ms. Garcia in April 2010.

If Michelle Cryer spent more time fundraising for the animals, and less time apparently lying to a Texas government agency (TWC), perhaps the WAO’s financial situation would not be as dire as it is now.

Since the Cryers have now made it clear they have no intention of fundraising for the WAO’s animals, I appeal to your Office once again to have Ms. Cryer removed from the WAO’s board of directors and install a new board. I have a new board ready to go, and I have a volunteer operations manager (with a proven background in facility maintenance and law enforcement) plus an office manager (retired Bexar County employee) ready to help save the WAO, for FREE. Give my team 90-days to turn this horrible situation around before it is too late. Unlike the Cryers, we have the professional skills and abilities to turn the WAO’s financial situation around. At this point, what does your Office stand to lose? Your Office already removed Ms. Matthes from the WAO’s board of directors. A precedent has been set in this area, and I do not find it unreasonable to give my team a chance since the Cryers have not outwardly done a single thing to raise money for the animals. Your Office has nothing to lose and the animals have everything to gain. For the record, I would only serve on the proposed board of directors as a non-voting advisor—unlike the Cryers, I have no interest in taking over the WAO. I only want to save what animals are left at the WAO.

Later:

I guess I know why no one is answering the WAO phones:

I suppose telling lies to the Texas Workforce Commission, regarding how the WAO director and staff were fired by the Cryers, was too much for her to handle.  I wonder what other lies Ms. Myers uttered while working for the Cryers?

Ticking Time Clock

 Prior to the Cryer's "illegally" seizing control of the WAO, Nicole was working on putting together a case file against the Asvestas so the attorney's could file a countersuit.   Not surprisingly, the Cryers did not continue where Nicole left off. 

 

Did any care about the statues of limitations? 

From: SMatthes@...

Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:38:29 -0400
Subject: Re: Statute of Limitations Deadlines-Asvestas Suit
To: BBenson@...; michelleanthonycryer@...; karenmaxfield@...; waonicole@...
CC: csuroiu@...

Michelle: Do we have any documentation that might fall under this statute of limitations? I'm sure that there are many items that date way back which you have uncovered. Please let me know your thoughts on this one.


Sumner

Really, Sumner is asking Cryer if there is any documentation that might fall under this statue  limitations?  Are you kidding me?  The answer should have been "hell yes."  Not surprisingly, Cryer did not file a countersuit against the Asvestas.  Gee, I wonder why.

So Now the WAO is a Burial Vault?

Well, I received a very terse statement from the OAG attorney -- no meeting. He just wants me to send him more paperwork outlining my ideas to increase WAO revenue. Heck, I don't even know if he forward the 14-page email I sent him a couple of weeks ago, and now he just wants to me forward additional ideas to him? Yeah, right.  I'll bet he's just trying to keep me busy so I won't know what the OAG is up to next.  This cannot be good.

So I contacted the USDA/APHIS vet and she said she would try to pass the message on to the board that I need to speak with them. I even sent her last night a copy of the 14-page email, previously sent to the OAG, for her consideration, and hopefully pass onto the board of directors. If she cannot make contact with the board, then I truly think the WAO will end before the end of this year.

There were a couple of changes made to the website on Friday the 13th. First change: the WAO has a new telephone number. After 20+ years, the WAO lost its long-standing phone number due to non-payment. Now they have a new number, which can only be found on the WAO's website. The phone book, 411, brochure cards, etc, all have the 688-9038 number, Ironically, Carol Asvestas apparently tried to obtain the old number, but was told she would have to wait a year before acquiring the number. So now, the WAO is using an unknown number of 688-2011.  Oh, and there is no answering machine catching missed calls.

Meanwhile, Carol Asvestas is apparently still going around telling people that she is going to get the WAO back some day soon. Apparently she just found out I own the WAO name (since she let the name lapse in 2006), and is wondering what I will do if she does get the WAO back. This is just a hellish circle of events. Instead of worrying about the animals, she is more concerned about what I would do? Good grief.

In any case, the WAO's attorney just quit yesterday due to non-payment, so now the parties being sued by Ron and Carol Asvestas have to obtain their own lawyers since they are being sued independent and part of the WAO. So far, the Asvestas failed to respond to document requests and no court date has been set, so I don't think the Asvestas even have the money to sue the WAO. I learned the Asvestas are interested in mediation, which means they want more cash from the animals. One would think they stole enough from the animals...and they want back in? Outrageous...

The second change on the website was this:

We often receive the following questions from our guests:

Question: Is your organization similar to the San Antonio Zoo?

Answer: We are not a zoo. The sanctuary is a respository [emphasis added] of wildlife where our main priority is the safety and comfort of the animals. We do not allow hands-on interaction with the animals, and only give tours during certain hours of the day so that we may more efficiently take care of the animals.

Okay, first off "respository" is spelled incorrectly! According to the free dictionary.com (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/repository) "repository" means:

1. A place where things may be put for safekeeping.

2. A warehouse.

3. A museum.

4. A burial vault; a tomb.

So, now the animals are things? Stored in a warehouse or museum. Or worse a burial vault? Are the Cryers trying to upset animal lovers everywhere with this single word in the frequently-asked-questions web page which I created earlier this year? Words matter, and sadly, the WAO is operated by people who have absolutely no idea what they are doing...and clearly cannot spell even the simplest words!

I am watching the WAO crumble and the worse thing is I know my friends and I can make a huge difference, and we are left on the sidelines, while the amateurs run the show. My heart hurts for the animals that are caught in the middle of this mess.

Later:

I just learned the WAO's Bank of America account is seriously overdrawn and was assessed another fee (extended overdrawn balance account charge)since the WAO exceeded its limit. I don't know how any of the Board members could sleep at night knowing what is happening to the WAO.

What was interesting was the WAO placed on Craig's list - Community - Pets an ad to help generate funds. There were several hits on the WAO's web pages causing their numbers to rise today. But once the ad gets buried, there won't be much traffic from Crags list. Listing WAO under Pets? I guess the WAO standards go to the side when in desperate need of cash. Sadly, there were no paypal hits today, but perhaps folks will go on a tour this weekend. According to the web log, it looks like most visitors visit the meet-some-of-our-animals web page. Once they click on tours, they click out of the entire site. It was a good idea to post on Craigs List -- sadly tour prices are so high they will keep visitors away from the animals.

I also learned there may only be two animal caretakers (Mary & Michelle) working this week at both sites. It was reported M&M were working late into the evening at the Leslie Road facility for the last couple of days. They were either feeding and cleaning cages, or they were trying to take care of a very sick animals. Either scenario is upsetting and dangerous for the staff. Especially with the heat index in the 100s right now.

Dear Lord, please Bless the WAO animals and the animal caretakers at this time. Please Lord, save the WAO animals. I know Jesus loves all animals - please do not them die -- they need a miracle right now. I love them all so very much that all this is breaking my heart.

Trip to Austin?

I am not sure what to do at this point regarding the WAO’s financial situation. Few and far between pay pal donations; the WAO’s phone lines are down due to non-payment; the WAO’s office manager, Kim Meyer was reportedly told to go home 3 days in a row since the WAO has no phones or internet service; Henry and Jamie were reported to have a major argument outside the WAO in the parking lot because the employees have not been paid for some time; the WAO is reportedly behind on its meat payment to the AAA meat company; and a local publishing company says the WAO owes them over a thousand dollars for magazine ads that were not paid from December 09 to present.

Last week I sent a 14-page email to the OAG requesting the information be passed onto the WAO’s board of directors outlining a plan to help increase on-line donations. So far, no response from the OAG or the WAO’s board of directors and the web pages are still horrible. Folks are coming from various tourist sites, click to the homepage and then click right out.

I believe the WAO believes the OAG or USDA will simply take over so they can wash their hands of the place and the animals will all be okay. They are, once again, sadly mistaken. The Cryers are planning games with the animals’ lives and are not taking this situation very seriously.

The Cryers continue to make mistakes when it comes to running a non-profit. The latest mistake made was to hold tours on the weekends every hour on the hour from 10am-4pm. That means if someone shows up for a tour at 1:10pm, the potential donor will be told to return at 2:00pm for the next tour! Even if the potential donor is the only guest on the property! Ron and Carol Asvestas tried this tour schedule years ago and stopped the practice after a short time because potential donors rarely returned once turned away. What is worse, the Cryers did not post this hourly schedule on the WAO’s website.

And now, with no phone service, the WAO cannot even accept reservation for the tours held during the week. That means no money coming in for the animals.

I was told that Kim Myers shared with her husband that the WAO is worse now than when the Cryers first took over the facility. Gee what shock.

On Sunday, I had someone go in on a tour to check on the animals. So far, the small exotic cats were still there, but are scheduled to leave soon to Oregon (Wildcats Haven).

As far as I know, the animals are okay, but I was told last night that Stericycle was at the WAO. This is the company that picks-up dead animals and other medical waste material. I have no idea what animal(s) died, so I am waiting for the pictures from the person who went to the WAO on Sunday. The arrival of the photos is taking forever!

It is no secret that the OAG attorney on the case is getting ready to retire and so no doubt would love to just ignore the WAO’s financial woes. The question is – how do I get the OAG’s office to do something that would benefit the animals – not hurt them further?

Do I need to go in person to Austin in order to plead the animals’ case? I am beginning to think so.

'Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.'