Interesting thought on THS's sudden name change

I did some rummaging through press releases and note that Toronto Humane Society didn't add "Hospital" to its name until November 28th.

Perhaps someone should have mentioned it to THS's general counsel, who issued a press release for the Toronto Humane Society (sans Hospital) on November 29th.

A friend is doing some digging, for thits and giggles...stay tuned.

December 6th updates:

OSPCA press release entitled Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Finds More Evidence of Cruelty and Mismanagement at Toronto Humane Society.

Toronto Star article about THS unpaid bills and employees losing their benefits because the insurance bill wasn't paid.

On that full-page ad in Metro a few days ago (which kindasortasomewhat made me wanna hurl)...did anyone mention to Bob Hambley that this ain't about him? I don't give a flying fig if he's living in a cardboard box in the middle of the road, just like I don't give a flying fig what Tim Trow reads in his spare time.

I don't want bumpf like that full-page ad. Anyone know how many donor dollars that ad cost?

I want full, clear and honest answers on what exactly THS has been doing for the animals in its care, what exactly THS has been doing with its donor dollars, and what the board of directors has been doing while all this was going on. I want to know how many board meetings occurred in the last year, who attended, and how long the meetings lasted. I want to know why the AGM was such a travesty.

I want full accountability and transparency from the board of directors of THS.

Want to run a pool on whether I'll get what I want for Christmas?

It's "I forgot to take my psychotropic drugs" day on here!

The comments are getting to be most amusing.

Tips for comments:

1. Write your comments out before you post, and read them through to ensure they make sense. Read them out loud. Even if you have to move your lips to do it.

2. Pick one point. Stick to it. Stay linear, don't go circular. Convoluted comments give Social Mange a headache.

3. If you attempt to attack me, I'll enjoy it no end. Please, keep it up! Remember - I have absolutely no regard for your opinion of me.

4. One word. Spellcheck.

5. If you're reading this blog, you have too damm much time on your hands. Get out there and volunteer for something.

And people think I'm sarcastic. Hmpfh. What on earth would give them that idea?

Donating to the animals, and something sticking in my craw

This is straight from the OSPCA.

If you wish to donate and have the funds directed to the animal care at THS, please call Cathy Crouse at 1-888-668-7722, Ext. 322 and do this over the phone. Please ensure that you tell Cathy that this donation is for the animals at THS as we have set up a separate account strictly for this purpose.

Alternately, send a cheque or donate by credit card. Cheques should made payable to OSPCA with THS in the memo line and mailed to the OSPCA, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, R.R. #3, Newmarket L3Y 4W1. You can make the donation as a gift and have an acknowledgment card sent to the person in whose honour it is made and obviously including their address and your message. H/T to Joanne for this suggestion.

Alternately, the animals are in dire need of new or gently used towels and blankets, and small animal cages. If you donate goods, please take them to the 11 River Street, Toronto shelter.

Something is really sticking in my craw. News reports say that the Toronto Humane Society has hired a lawyer. If memory serves, the legal entity that is the Toronto Humane Society has not had any charges laid against it. The directors and executives are the ones who have been charged and require defense. Despite Ian McConachie's statement in the National Post about "our facility", it is NOT "their" facility. The directors are fiduciaries, custodians (servants, if you will) of the Toronto Humane Society and its property and charged with serving its mandate. The Toronto Humane Society does not belong to the directors.

BTW, who elected Bob Hambley as President? The THS by-laws don't provide for the Secretary-Treasurer to step in for the President. One person is the President, Secretary and Treasurer of a $9M organization?

Dictionary.com legal dictionary definition of fiduciary - one often in a position of authority who obligates himself or herself to act on behalf of another (as in managing money or property) and assumes a duty to act in good faith and with care, candor, and loyalty in fulfilling the obligation : one (as an agent) having a fiduciary duty to another

Pickin' crow feathers from my teeth....

...because I'm eating crow after yesterday's or today's stories about Ontario Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee investigating the Toronto Humane Society.

And now the Ministry of Natural Resources. Which apparently moved out all the wildlife.

And the Ministry of Finance. So far, no word on what their warrant is for.

Stay tuned.

Miscellany

HOT TIP - Buy a copy of the December 1st Globe and Mail. Actually buy the paper, don't just read it online. Show your support for the the paper that stuck its neck out and the journalist who went for the truth, to get the Toronto Humane Society conditions and management exposed.

Bandit. A dog that was failed by everyone in his short, sad life. The owners of his parents, who carelessly bred him. His first owner, who failed to train and control him. Tim Trow at THS, who failed to train and control him. Bandit has had a sad, sorry life that will probably be much shorter than it should. Because of human failure.

Someone pointed out that the THS website suddenly calls the place a "hospital". Oh, gee, if THS is suddenly a "hospital" (news to me, and many others), maybe THS will now neuter the animals before they adopt them out.

How much donors' money did Pell Capone's quotes in the papers cost? Enquiring minds want to know. Considering all the donors who have vowed not to give another cent while the current regime is in place, how does THS plan to pay for all its plans to go to court for this, and go to court for that?

Please read these lovely words from a wise woman.

Keeping Positive

for the Animals of the Toronto Humane Society

Hey Gang,

The past few days have been so emotional for all of us. The media coverage surrounding the events at the Toronto Humane Society is overwhelming and there is always the concern for sensationalism. That's why communication is so important in times like these. Communication and truth. But above all else, there must be love. Everyone has their own opinion about this horrendous situation. Emotions run high, accusations fly and anger runs deep. But, if we can just stop for a minute, put our egos aside, and remember what this is truly all about. Not revenge. Not competition. What matters is for us to come together and be there for animals that are counting on us now more than ever.

This past weekend, many of my friends joined the wonderful staff and volunteers of the Toronto Humane Society, putting aside their sadness and their pain that we've all felt over the last few years, to help the animals. They are my heroes. And as long as we continue to show this love above everything, we'll be successful in the only goal that matters - returning the Toronto Humane Society to the place it was always meant to be, a place where animals have a second chance.

Staying Positive for the Animals,

Your Devoted Rescuer,

Marna Gale

BIG ON BEAGLES (B.O.B)
An Assistance Agency for Beagles Experiencing Troubled Times

www.bigonbeagles.ca

Proudly Mending the Hearts of Down-On-Their-Luck Beagles Since 2001

Helping animals....

Until some concrete answers come up about how to donate without donating to the directors' and officials' legal defense fund....

The animals at Toronto Humane Society desperately need clean blankets and towels. If you have good new or used items, please drop them at the 11 River Street shelter.

McGuinty government dragging its feet. Still.

Newest allegation against Toronto Humane Society directors and executives is that cats were fed food that had expired six years ago. Dry food that old would be beyond rancid. Doesn't surprise me, with all the legal bills the THS executives were running up with frivolous civil suits. Priorities were a tad screwed up, methinks.

The Ontario Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee has refused to become involved. Quoted in the Globe and Mail, Brendan Crawley, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General, wrote in an e-mail Friday, “In situations where there is proof of misappropriation or misapplication of charitable funds, the Public Guardian and Trustee, under the Charities Accounting Act, may begin a court application for appropriate relief.”

Brendan, dearie, shouldn't the OPG conduct an investigation to see if there is misappropriation or misapplication? Is the public supposed to do OPG's work for it? What does it take to get the OPG off its ass?

Has the OPG ever sent the complaints it received about THS to the ministry responsible for corporate governance issues, the Ministry of Government Services (at least, that's the ministry responsible this week)? What is the Minister of Government Services (this week, anyway), Harinder Takhar, doing?

McGuinty's government is a collection of uncommunicative islands, with no regard for issues raised time and time again. It's also a place of stasis, where nothing happens unless McGuinty & Co. think it will garner votes.

Nooo, McGuinty and his minions would rather kill innocent dogs than save animals and a 100-year old public institution.

And the directors of THS would rather keep all its Trow-glodytes in place and sink the ship. So much for their expressions of concern for animals.

Crocodile tears.

Toronto Humane Society to review operations. YA THINK?

Isn't this rather like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted?

The Globe & Mail has an article entitled "Toronto Humane Society to review operations". The article states, "The society issued a statement Saturday saying it will hire a “well-respected expert in the field of animal care” as interim executive director."

Will this person be totally unrelated to the current regime at THS? Absolutely and provably third-party, objective?

I vote that THS hire Nathan Winograd.

Although....with what will surely be a dramatic decline in donations as people knee-jerk and withdraw financial support, paying legal fees for what I consider frivolous civil actions (I cannot see legal fees broken out in the financials or the CRA return) and paying for defense of the directors and officials charged, how much money will be left for all these plans?

How much money will be left for animal care?

Scuttlebutt - Rumour has it that a board director tried to get into the THS building today. I wonder why? Interesting. She didn't get in, btw.