So What's Next?

I keep asking myself what is next? After almost four years of research and typing, what will I do with all my spare time! Needless to say, I still have a lot to do in order to close out this case. I have several months of filing, not to mention I want to remove all the animal files from my computer so I can have my computer back! I can't believe I used up pretty much all my available computer memory!

And the OAG and USDA cases are not over yet. I've got to keep an eye on the two cases, request final records, before I can conclude this case.

I've decided not to volunteer at the sanctuary -- maybe visit once or twice a year, but that's all. It's time for a new watch dog to take my place. I've heard not all the workers are happy about my impending visit on December 19th, no doubt because of what they read in my blog. I make no apologies for what I wrote in my blog -- I called it as I saw it at that time. I forgave them for keeping silent when the animals needed them most some time ago and I want to move away from the past and work towards a more prosperous future. If they choose to live in the past, then that's their business.

To tie up loose ends, I contacted HSUS and IFAW requesting emergency relief supplies and grants from both organizations. So far I have heard from IFAW who pledged not to desert the sanctuary. IFAW representative requested the new director and board of directors contact IFAW to make a grant request. I sure hope IFAW keeps its word and helps the animals. Their assistance is needed now more than ever. Still waiting for some word from HSUS.

[Present Day:  Here is my letter to IFAW.  One thing I noticed is that Ian Robinson never responded back to me, yet Gail was able to communicate with him.  I guess he was afraid I was going to say "I told you so."]

From: "A'Brunzo, Gail"

To: Kristina Brunner
Cc: "Robinson, Ian" ; "Fried, Barbara"


Sent: Sun, October 4, 2009 11:15:46 AM


Subject: RE: Animal Sanctuary of the United States, dba The Wild ANimal Orphanage's Change in Management


Dear Ms. Brunner,



Dr. Robinson is out of the country until mid-month but I've been in contact with him to discuss.


We are very sorry to hear about the recent troubles at WAO and don't intend to desert them. The request for the grant must come from the new director and the Board, however. At that time I can discuss the situation and details more fully with them.


Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. Hopefully things will settle out to be what's best for the animals.


Best regards,

Gail A'Brunzo




Gail A'Brunzo
Emergency Relief
International Fund for Animal Welfare
290 Summer Street, Yarmouth Port MA 02675
Ph: 508.744.2197
Mobile: 774-487-0617
gabrunzo@ifaw.org
www.ifaw.org

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

________________________________________

From: Kristina Brunner
Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 3:11 PM
To: Robinson, Ian
Cc: A’Brunzo, Gail; Fried, Barbara
Subject: Animal Sanctuary of the United States, dba The Wild ANimal Orphanage's Change in Management


Importance: High


Dear Mr. Robinson:


On October 1, 2009, the Animal Sanctuary of the United States, dba The Wild Animal Orphanage's Board of Directors terminated Ronald and Carol Asvestas' employment and board seat as the result of an on-going investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds. The Board of Directors appointed Ms. Nicole Garcia as the sanctuary's new director and she is fully cooperating with the Texas Office of the Attorney General's Office and the USDA . http://www.sanantoniolightning.com/woa500.html

As you may recall, I contacted you regarding the dire situation at the WAO in hopes that IFAW would have some influence with the Board of Directors in completing the Illinois University Black Bears and New Jersey tigers' enclosures (see email listed below). Sadly, the bears and tigers are still living in what I consider to be "warehouse" cages--not the large spacious enclosures promised.


Now in light of recent events, the ASUS/WAO's financial situation has become rather grim. The WAO is in desperate need of financial assistance as the WAO's bank accounts are dangerously low due. I believe this would be an excellent time for IFAW to offer the remaining three board of directors and the new WAO director a grant that would enable the WAO to meet its financial obligations as well as finish the bears and tigers' promised enclosures.

I pray you will contact Ms. Garcia at 210.688.9038 to ascertain the seriousness of this situation and provide immediate financial assistance to the animals before the onset of winter. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.


Kind Regards,

Kristina Brunner

I also want to point out that things weren't all that bad between the staff and the board when Nicole first took over the WAO, as seen in the mail below.  Sadly, this spirit of co-operation did not last...

From: waonicole@...

To: smatthes@...; michellecryer@...; karenmaxfield@...; ericturton@...; james.anthony@oag.state.tx.us

Subject: General Update
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 21:33:37 -0500


Quick Update:


I met with Will West and John Savickas this morning at 10:00am, I have asked him to contact Mr. James Anthony and Sumner regarding some issues that we have been made aware of with the 2008 ledger that was brought in by John Savickas. I think Will West should explain this. I am hoping that in the near future with the approval of Mr. Anthony, we might be able to find someone to take John Savickas' place due to some doubts that I have? (Just a thought)


I would also like in the future possibly contracting with a veterinarian that specializes in Exotic Animals with Dr. Henry and possibly Dr. Ehrlund which I would like us to review some of Mary and Michelles records to those were recently made with Dr. Ehrlund before we make any decisions.


Bank Accounts : As I understand, the accounts have been frozen but Michelle Cryer is able to have the banker sign checks with her that will be allowed to clear for payroll and food use until everything is final.
I would like to say that Jamie Cryer and Will West have been helping a great amount with everything. I appreciate the strength among all of us right now.


Today I ordered 2 pallets of Monkey Chow and Jamie will get that picked up tomorrow (I billed our account and we will need to pay on Tuesday), we received our meat that is processed with exotic animals in mind (yesterday) and we will review and discuss the produce tomorrow morning 10-2-09 at 11:00am. We will be having a staff meeting that is just going to update everyone and allow anyone to express any concerns/ideas they may have.


I gained access to our website email and have changed the passcode. Tomorrow I will be working on making some basic updated information for our website. Please, if you can specify how I should list board members and any thoughts as to what you all would like to see on the homepage.


Jamie Cryer has some great ideas on how we are going to approach the new Bear Enclosures for Talley Rd and as we get further we will share the details.


I have had a long day and need to get some rest so I appologize if this email seems choppy.


Nicole Garcia

The Wild Animal Orphanage
P.O Box 690422
San Antonio, TX 78269
PH: 210-688-9038
FAX: 210-688-9514

I would be remiss not to include the famous Turton "stand-down" email (I still think he was working for the Asvestas all along...):

To: ericturton@logixonline.com

CC: smatthes@...; michelleanthonycryer@...; karenmaxfield@...; w.westcpa@...

Subject: The Wild Animal Orphanage

Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 12:14:19 -0500

Animal Sanctuary of The United States

The Wild Animal Orphanage

9626 Leslie Rd

San Antonio, TX 78254

210-688-9038

Dear Mr. Eric Turton,


I would like you to stop all contact regarding The Wild Animal Orphanage at this time. I will speak with you regarding this request on Monday. With this request this means that I am also requesting that you refuse all phone calls, emails and meetings that have anything to do with The Wild Animal Orphanage and direct them to me at our office. I have discussed this with Sumner Matthes and I am making the decision at this time to put everything that you are currently working on on hold. Please direct all questions to me and not the board.


Thank you,

Nicole Garcia


The Wild Animal Orphanage
P.O Box 690422
San Antonio, TX 78269
PH: 210-688-9038
FAX: 210-688-9514

AR Wack-o Is Back and It's HER Case!

You know, no good deed goes unpunished (am I right or what??). Earlier today I received an email from the AR person who provided me assistance in the early part of the investigation. I've blogged about this person before, so for some history, please scroll back to around January 2009 time frame.

Anyhoo, this person forward an email to me from a person who had knowledge about renal failure in cats. While the information was informative, I had already found the same information on the web. I thanked the former AR person for the information by return email and did not think anything more of it. Later that evening, I included the AR person in the mass email that I sent out regarding the former directors 90-day suspension and voluntary termination. Okay, that was a stupid thing for me to do, but I thought this person would like to know that the case was winding down.

The first response I received was "I am sitting here just floored, unable to speak. I cannot even write until I take a moment to let this sink in." Okay, I'm thinking this is a little over dramatic, especially since this person has not been a part of this case since December 2007. But hey, whatever.

Then the next messages starting coming in demanding I call someone named Scott at the Texas Parks and Wildlife so he could investigate the sanctuary. The AR person wrote:

"If in fact she is going to resign this would be when she would start "unloading' selling the animals. I think it would be the time a regulatory agency such as TX parks and wildlife could catch her in the act. I have said all along, I think she is selling to canned hunts. This would fall under their jurisdiction."

Okay, there was no evidence this ever occurred at the sanctuary, and the last thing the new director needs is a visit from the TP&W based on false complaints from a wacko AR person.

I politely sent this message to the AR person:

"Thank you for your interest in this case. While I have no doubt you have the best interest of the animals at heart, I must request you limit your activities to cases that do not include the "sanctuary." You have not been apart of the "sanctuary" case since you left "city" on December 16, 2007 and are therefore unaware of the current status of this case. Your unsolicited assistance may jeopardize my hard work and therefore I respectfully request you do not contact me with any additional requests for information. Thank you."

This did not sit well with the AR person, for I received this response:

"I have not ever stopped working on this case as a matter of fact submitted an article not so long ago and have been speaking with the USDA on a frequent basis. I am part of this case and have worked hard to make sure the USDA put her under investigation.

I tell you (my name), the people in the animal field puzzle me more and more every day. This makes no sense to me. As far as I am concerned this is my case and I will always follow this case until she is brought to justice. Whatever calls I make are calls that are productive to this case."

Egad! Her case?? Making calls?? This is ludicrous! I know I should not let people like this bother me, but auugghh... it just drives me nuts! Mental note to self - no more email or any other type of communication to this AR person!

Praise the Lord--the Animals Are Free!!

Amazing wonderful news! After almost four long years, my goal of seeing a change in management has finally taken place and the animals are now under the care of someone who actually wants what's best for them!

The on-line newspaper carried the good news and until the new director is willing to go on camera, the local news stations will not carry the story until a later time.
 
So, the change was made very quietly and very positive to protect the animals and incoming donations as money is needed to finish the bears' and monkeys' enclosures. Money is needed to buy good quality food. Money is needed to pay the operating costs. Money is needed for vet care. Simply put, money is needed.

This evening I was asked by the new director when I would be able to come out and visit the animals. I told her it would be awhile because I was feeling ill and needed time to recuperate.

This case has taken a lot out of my physically and mentally. Throughout the case I was diagnosed as having bronchitis, both ears infected, an ulcer, sleep disorder, post traumatic distress, slipped back joint -- all primarily from stress and living behind my desk at home. Today, I still have bronchitis, infected ears and sleep disorder. I pray now that the case is over I can focus on healing both my mind and body. I also want to reconnect with my own animal companions. They are so used to seeing their mommy's back as I worked on the computer for hours on end each day, instead of playing and brushing their fur. I am exhausted and quite ready to turn the reins over to someone else!

So now my investigation primarily ends and the new director's quest for the truth begins. I have faith that she will get through this with the help of the animal caretakers. I already learned the new director purchased monkey chow for both properties (no more dog food for the monkeys!), the new prepared meat arrived, produce was ordered, and the lioness, Kuvo, will have her blood tested as she will be under the vet's care. I understand one of the former vets, who was fired by the former ps female director over three years ago, will return to the facility! He was the same vet that tried to attend the emergency board meeting, but was locked out by the ps former directors. I am pleased this vet is returning as he seemed genuinely concerned for the sanctuary's animals.

With the new director cooperating with the USDA/APHIS and Texas OAG, I believe the sanctuary will recover from its dark days and prosper in the future. All this would not be possible if it was not for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He listened to my prayers and gave the surviving animals the miracle they so desperately needed. Thank you, God.

[Present Day:  In retrospect, I find it interesting that the OAG's James Anthony had the time to review and make recommendations to the WAO's press release, but did NOT have the time to prosecute this case!]

From: waonicole@hotmail.com

To: smatthes@aol.com
CC: karenmaxfield@msn.com; michelleanthonycryer@yahoo.com; ericturton@logixonline.com
Subject: RE: Press Release
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 14:18:28 -0500


I think this is good. I needed it given to me that way


Nicole Asvestas-Garcia
The Wild Animal Orphanage
P.O Box 690422
San Antonio, TX 78269
PH: 210-688-9038
FAX: 210-688-9514
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


From: SMatthes@aol.com
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:06:53 -0400
Subject: Press Release
To: waonicole@hotmail.com
CC: karenmaxfield@msn.com; michelleanthonycryer@yahoo.com


Nicole and Board Members: I received a call from the AG's office relating to the proposed Press Release. It was suggested that it be rewritten in the manner as shown below. It is felt that this will clearly show the actions of the BOD. Further, it will keep the public from thinking that Ron and Carol are appreciated by the BOD. I can certainly agree with the AG's comments and suggestions.


I hate to say it, but I guess it's time to play hard ball, as we have no idea as to how Ron and Carol will be reacting to all this.


Comments please.


Sumner


The Board of Directors of the Wild Animal Orphanage has announced the termination of Ron and Carol Asvestas as employees effective immediately. Carol Asvestas has also been terminated as a member of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Nicole A. Garcia, who has worked with the Wild Animal Orphanage over many years, has been appointed by the board as CEO.

As with all changes, this action is requiring a short transition period. Board members and all dedicated employees are working together to assure that the best possible responsible care is being provided to the animals at the WAO.


The support of all who have participated in assisting the WAO, over the years, is most appreciated. We trust that this support will continue for the animals that we all care deeply about.