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KHS: Time for change at top

| July 23, 2014 9:00 PM

I was a volunteer dog walker at Kootenai Humane Society for four years. I quit soon after the first round of hiring and firing started. I know all but one of the volunteers who refused to sign the “No Kill Policy” form. I have read it and I could not have signed it. It is an attempt to silence the ones who speak out for the welfare of the animals. I know how difficult it was for them to “resign.” They stayed because of their love of the dogs. They stayed because they were working to make KHS a better place.

I was at the meeting when the board president made the comment about “getting off the bus.” It is that attitude of self that makes a dysfunctional board. It is not their personal shelter but a community-funded one that deserves honesty. Volunteers are the lifeblood of KHS and treating them as “only volunteers” and disposable shows a lack of respect for the ones who make them look good. I very seldom saw any board member at the shelter. They show for the fundraising. I was one of the volunteers who built the exercise run. There was not one board member who came to see it, let alone issue a “thank you.” I was one of the volunteers who organized Paws in the Park for two years. It was the biggest adoption event held. Every adoptable dog was taken to a park so people could see them outside. The first year two board members went. The second year not one seemed to care enough to attend.

Questions have been asked about the answers on their Federal Tax Report. Why was the question about relationships within the board answered “No?” You state in your donation appeals you receive no money from city, county or federal funds; what is the money you get from the city for stray animals? It was suggested that the district attorney be called; instead calls should be made to the secretary of state questioning their 501(c)(3) status. It is time for a much needed change at KHS. People have talked about this for years, now is the time to do something about it.

KELLY BREEDLOVE

Coeur d’Alene