TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – It's been more than six months since the San Diego Humane Society sent 323 small pets to the Southern Arizona Humane Society with the goal of finding loving homes.
News 4 After an extensive investigation by Tucson investigators, lead investigative reporter Corus Nylander obtained text messages revealing that the pets were likely fed to reptiles It became clear that they would likely have faced vastly different outcomes.
The text message came from a reptile breeder in the Phoenix area, who received the message from Colten Jones, a known reptile breeder who was approved by the Southern Arizona Humane Society to adopt the pets.
The message asked recipients if they had room to freeze large quantities of rabbits and guinea pigs.
The discovery was the final straw for some already concerned HSSA donors.
News 4 Tucson investigators interviewed three major supporters who have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to the HSSA over the years to find out why they chose to end their support and what it would take to get it back. I understand that.
“How bad was it?” one donor asked. “It highlighted a number of things that we feel need improvement.”
“Of course money is important, but where it goes and what it is used for is important. There are lies here and unfortunately I can't trust them anymore,” said another donor.
“What bothered me was that during this travesty they did not contact their donors and did not give us any information,” a third donor told us .
After launching an independent investigation, HSSA has decided to fire CEO Steve Farley and accept the resignation of Chief Operating Officer Christian Gonzalez.
Three major donors we spoke to felt that wasn't enough, and that the board that hired Mr. Farley should have been held accountable.
“Boards always have a fiduciary responsibility as well as an oversight responsibility, but that didn't happen here,” said one donor.
Donations are down more than $108,000 in November and December 2022 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data provided to News 4 Tucson investigators by the Southern Arizona Humane Society.
During that period in 2022, the Humane Society had 893 new donors, compared to just 756 new donors from November to December last year.
News 4's Tucson Investigator reached out to the HSSA to address concerns some donors have and asked longtime supporters Linda Grissom and Neil Freeman, who stand by the Humane Society. He introduced me.
“I think what happened was a human failure. The animals had nothing to do with it. If I extract the support and time that they volunteer from the animals, it only hurts them.” Grissom said.
“The needs didn't change the day this came to light. People were laid off, but we have new leadership here and they're doing their best to meet the needs. The needs are still there. It exists,” Freeman explained.
New leaders like Karen Hollisch have emerged. He is the new chief development officer, tasked with the organization's efforts to retain and grow its donor base. Hollisch said he knows how important donors are.
“Without donor support, we would not be able to continue to accept more than 4,000 lost and stranded pets each year, and provide spay, neuter, and vaccination services to thousands more pets and their families in our communities. We couldn't even provide them,” Holish said. He said.
In just over a month on the job, Holish has been organizing donor events and open houses, as well as calling donors directly to better understand their concerns and expectations.
Former donors we spoke to do not want to see the Humane Society close its doors, believing its mission is extremely important, but unless there are significant changes within the board. He said he would not support it.
“Simply firing the CEO without any repercussions for the board members is unprecedented to me,” said one donor.
HSSA continues to search for a permanent CEO. We will keep you updated as the process progresses.
If you have a story you would like News 4 Tucson investigators to investigate, email Investigators@kvoa.com or call the tip line at 520-955-4444.
