Subscriber Hope Williams has contacted OPHS multiple times with questions but has not received answers. Unable to attend, she is hoping someone might ask these questions, or report back to CCWD and post pertinent information under "comments."
“To Paul Stehr-Green, OPHS Board President/Acting Executive Director:
I wish I could make it to your Nov 13th meeting in Port Angeles but I’m unable to. Alternatively I request that you provide answers to the following questions at your forum with the understanding that your answers will be both informative and necessary for the appreciation and support/non-support for your “Bark House reopening plan”. My questions are:
1. What is the total value of the OPHS’ cash and cash equivalents (investments) as of November 1, 2024? The extraordinary bequest donation of $425,000 made to the OPHS in August must still be around, no?
2. What is the $ value of the real property held by OPHS at Kitty City and the Bark House location?
3. I have made requests via phone/email for a copy of your audited financial statements in 2024 with no response. And I think others have as well. Why are you not sharing this information with me and others?
4. How many paid staff were on board the OPHS payroll as of 12/31/23 and how many paid staff do you have as of today, Nov 12, 2024? Are the staff at both locations or just Kitty City?
5. It’s my understanding that the staff has unionized. As the Board President why do you think they thought that was necessary?
6. How many cats are in residence as of Nov 12 at Kitty City? And how many of those cats are still intact?
7. It’s my understanding from one of your directors at a public meeting that 5 or so cats were at a local vet for a week waiting for them to have free time to do spay/neuter free of charge and that they were returned since they didn’t have time. Why is the OPHS board not authorizing local vet clinics to proceed with paid spay/neuters to facilitate both their health and adoptions?
8. What makes the current board of directors think that your current plan for reopening the Bark House campus to dogs will be effective, assuming it’s a worthwhile plan, without seasoned behavior and veterinary management as well as shelter management on board at the OPHS?
9. My last question at the moment is what is the OPHS plan for addressing the extreme and immediate need for dog and cat spay/neuter programs in Clallam County?
I would so enjoy hearing the answers to those questions in response but hopefully at the scheduled meeting with others to hear who are also concerned about the OPHS’ future. Thank you for reading.
The first of your questions were met with the canned response “501c3 orgs are required to produce their tax returns. Those are available online.” Any further questioning along this line were met with condescending or sarcastic response. Finally the director agreed to “Take the request for transparency to the board.”
4. There were about 50 staff at the peak and only six now.
5. There was some discussion of unionizing but the org is not in a position to bargain at this point. Sounds like this is on hold.
6 and 7. There are 43 cats at kitty city. 40 is capacity. Half of the cats are not yet ready for adoption because they’re waiting for spay/neuter. There are very few spay/neuter appointments available and without on staff vet this is definitely a hold up.
8. There is a plan in place to utilize professionals in the realm of behavior and infectious disease prevention. They have begun the process of improving quality of health and care by upgrading facility and improving procedures.
Did not see this until this morning (14th). I think what we have are volunteers that do not have CFO or CEO experience. We must in this community have some retired financial wizards that could donate a year of their time in helping get this back on track. I think we have people that care that want to help but are in way over their head. And no, financial information was not forthcoming and it was asked several times.
KC: We all trust that "nonprofits" are run by volunteers. Not so, it's amazing how much the CFO's and CEO's profit from nonprofits. Look at what happened to the GOODWILL industry. I think Watchdog has exposed a type of animal shelter GOODWILL that is taking advantage of trusting people who love animals. Can you imagine donating your money in your will because you care about animals and feel peaceful your donation will benefit the very animals you love, only to have the profits line the pockets of people? Too bad... it's too late to find another legacy.
Oh, I know there’s a lot of money in nonprofit. I see the county give money and grants to the nonprofits around here willy-nilly it’s very profitable to be a nonprofit.
Thanks again Jeff, sure doesn’t sound like they want ANY transparency into the financial document nor compensation. How can only 8% be used for these animals? Great info.
In 1906 a newspaper in Great Falls, Montana employed an analogy that compared the power of sunlight and publicity:
“Turn on the light and let us have a glimpse of the secret things done in the dark places in Washington. Sunlight is the great germicide and disinfectant, and publicity is healthful to the morals of government.”
We need to shine a bright light of transparency in Washington DC, Washington State, and Clallam County, and clear out the cockroaches that operate in the dark, in secret, behind closed doors.
Yes, however, although WA state enacted a number of sunshine laws in the 1970's many other laws have neutered them.
"Voters approved the Public Disclosure Act by initiative in 1972. At the time, the Act included only 10 exemptions from disclosure. As of 2016, there are over 500 exemptions in the Revised Code of Washington." (source: attorney general's office).
While there ARE ethics laws on the books -- the teeth have been removed completely for elected county and local leaders (unless it's a whistleblower, someone who works within government). It's mostly a circular complaint department, like a hamster wheel.
Our county and city (Port Angeles, I don't know about Sequim) lack any ethics rules at all. Long gone is the ethics committee that PA once had (doubt the county ever had one) and, there are no repercussions for any elected official.
So much for sunshine, it's more like artificial light.
(exact same markings, same name, oh look...same photo) So this request for donations is absolutely as bullshit as it gets. Same ol'OPHS. The kitty litter needs to be changed.
Edit 2: It seems that these are indeed different cats. The OPHS mailer shows a cat with a black nose, and the reddit cat has white on its nose. See comparison: https://ibb.co/6vtTH5V
Wag, and rise have stepped up to care for as many as they can handle. Also Fox Bell Training Center and Fox Bell events have also stepped up in creating Fox Bell Humane Society and have their 501.3c (?) already under the Olypen Peninsula Equine Network umbrella. This made it easier and faster for them to get started. They are accepting donations and have already mapped out the area and plans to build. The Vaughns have always been big into rescue, horses, dogs and cats to name few. I couldn’t be happier with the ladies as they are successful business leaders in our community and I’m excited they have stepped up
From what I understand the Vaughns have had a meeting with the county to inform them of their plans and the county was receptive but as they are just getting off the ground no commitments have been made at this time. I’m excited to see another avenue for our community to assist with the multitude of animals that we are seeing in need of assistance and support.
I’ve got them on automatic donations, same as I do for the horse rescue Olympic Peninsula equine network OPEN. I like local charities as I can see them in person and can see how the money is used. Love these ladies!!
As a donor or taxpayer, it’s essential that any funds given to a nonprofit are used responsibly, with transparency and accountability. We don't expect profit sharing, but in exchange we all deserve to see a clear, thorough analysis of the return on investment of our altruism.
Hence why there is a form to complain about a non-profit with the IRS. Form 13909 is something that we all should fill out regarding the 990N's filed with the IRS (and available for anyone to view ..for the last 5 years). The massive increase in salary of the past executive director -- is INUREMENT (https://www.nonprofitexpert.com/nonprofit-questions-answers/what-does-inure-or-incurment-mean/) The reticence of OPHS to actually open their books to the public, really strengthens the optics of wrong-doing. If they won't open them to the people, they certainly must to the IRS.
We here have been tracking much of the same facts that are presented in this article, and we are again absolutely disgusted by the same shady characters that are currently in the local government who continue to insist that "all is well" despite the obvious blatant evidence to the contrary~! We are NOT stupid! Most Americans are waking up to these same childishly low level "mind tricks" that are always intended to trigger our emotions, just so that the criminals within our government and community can continue to rob us blind~! Yes, of course, it is all about "the kitties and puppies" and what is best for the community, however this is NEVER to be confused with the absolute moral requirement of transparency and the many criminal violations of the public trust that we know of~! What don't we know??? When those in the government who have a seriously questionable track record & history of failures handling our public funds quote dubious "law", that their corrupt cronies in government have designed to cover up their shady dealings, we damn well know that our hard-earned money is being stolen and used for things that we never agreed to or wanted in the first place~!!! This is an absolute outrage! Just pennies out of every dollar go to the animals that are supposed to get the help? These criminals within our communities all across America are using the same corrupt "evil rule book" and the time for them using our emotions against us has ended... Will it be necessary to have large scale criminal prosecutions of these shady characters? Will the corrupt government and their rigged "justice systems" be allowed to continue to deceive Americans and play us for fools? It is becoming more & more clear just why angry Americans in past history were pushed by the criminals in government to "tar & feather" them to finally address their long list of crimes & abuses~! Let us hope that "we" (Americans) can have a peaceful change in the way that those in government handle their duties VERY soon~! This is a good community of mostly decent folks, and I know many who would gladly work cheap or even for free if we remove the criminals who are robbing the taxpayers blind and creating dysfunction with their sick greed & gross incompetence~! Enough is enough~!!!
Tugging at the heartstrings is a sure way to get money out of people... and for those who don't know, baby seals have an increased rate of survival if you subscribe to CC Watchdog.
There is reality. Saving all kittens and puppies is not reality. We can't save the world. It just can't happen. Many Clallam County residents are living from hand to mouth and can't afford rent much less contributions to save animals. Although it reads good that all these breeding cats and dogs can be saved, that is not the truth. People in the county can't afford health care... that's the truth. People can't afford rent, that's the truth. People can't afford to eat healthy, that's the truth. Saving all animals is not the truth and as harsh as it is, that's the truth. Set honest and real goals, otherwise the dog and cat shelters will become more like inhumane hoarding situations. We cannot spade and neuter enough to keep up. That is the truth.
At one point last year, they were bringing animals from outside Clallam County to receive services from OPHS. We can't even pay for the ones we have here, let alone those from other counties and states.
Jeff, just to clarify, since I hear a lot of people complaining about reacues bringing in dogs from out of the area…. As a long time per rescuer and current “breed rescue,” I can assure you this is very common practice. When dealing with no kill shelters, you end up with a kennel full of pit bulls, German shepherds and behavior dogs who are very difficult to adopt out. The community begins to lose interest in adopting from the shelter because there is never any variety. At the same time, rescues and shelters are inundated with daily requests to help with abandoned, starving, injured, and code red(dogs in imminent danger at high kill shelters). Many of these dogs are of highly adoptable breeds so it’s very tempting to take them on, save their lives and easily adopt them out. I do this all the time and there are people in the community who criticize, but I am not a “no kill shelter.” I help dogs of a certain type because I have connections to people with the same passion and know I can place them. I happen to know the people who have rescued dogs from out of the area, dod so because 1. The plea tugged at their heart and they wanted to save lives, and 2. They felt the addition would lend a variety to the shelter and would be easily adoptable.
I don't pick up these fine details everyone else catches. Someone pointed out that one of Cascadia Consulting Group's employees (from "There's a Hole in the Budget") is named Meg Horst... could it be a connection to Sequim's self-proclaimed activist and agitator-in-chief?
Rome is down to its knees from government overhead. Rome will not last without private industry and is down to its final days. They look like they are just waiting for Rome to crumple the rest of the way to transfer the government flags over to the non profit NGO model looking through the international retribution lens.
You're welcome, Lawrence. WAG (Welfare Animals Guild) has taken the lion's share of strays since OPHS closed and when I asked, they encouraged me to come "look at their books."
RISE Rescue Alliance took over the 10 remaining dogs after the closure of the Barkhouse (at their own expense) and they have been working diligently to care for them and find them great homes!
Fox Bell hasn’t even taken in one dog yet, or gone out and helped with picking up and finding homes for stray animals in the community. WAG has proven their worth of our donations over and over again for years and about their care of our animals in need and they are very transparent with all of their actions. RISE is another solid organization to donate to.
Unfortunately the information they're reporting lacks details. At this juncture that's needed to properly evaluate if future tax payer dollars should be directed to them. When someone loses trust they're required to admit they're mistakes and identify what they'll do in order to regain it. But that's my opinion.
Yes, and the 990n's have a lot of "expenses" grouped in strange clumps. On FB they tried to explain this as "oh it was a mistake" however, once anyone finds evidence of mistakes reported to the IRS, they are obligated to send in an updated, amended return, to correct these errors. I find no evidence online (IRS) that this was ever done.
Subscriber Hope Williams has contacted OPHS multiple times with questions but has not received answers. Unable to attend, she is hoping someone might ask these questions, or report back to CCWD and post pertinent information under "comments."
“To Paul Stehr-Green, OPHS Board President/Acting Executive Director:
I wish I could make it to your Nov 13th meeting in Port Angeles but I’m unable to. Alternatively I request that you provide answers to the following questions at your forum with the understanding that your answers will be both informative and necessary for the appreciation and support/non-support for your “Bark House reopening plan”. My questions are:
1. What is the total value of the OPHS’ cash and cash equivalents (investments) as of November 1, 2024? The extraordinary bequest donation of $425,000 made to the OPHS in August must still be around, no?
2. What is the $ value of the real property held by OPHS at Kitty City and the Bark House location?
3. I have made requests via phone/email for a copy of your audited financial statements in 2024 with no response. And I think others have as well. Why are you not sharing this information with me and others?
4. How many paid staff were on board the OPHS payroll as of 12/31/23 and how many paid staff do you have as of today, Nov 12, 2024? Are the staff at both locations or just Kitty City?
5. It’s my understanding that the staff has unionized. As the Board President why do you think they thought that was necessary?
6. How many cats are in residence as of Nov 12 at Kitty City? And how many of those cats are still intact?
7. It’s my understanding from one of your directors at a public meeting that 5 or so cats were at a local vet for a week waiting for them to have free time to do spay/neuter free of charge and that they were returned since they didn’t have time. Why is the OPHS board not authorizing local vet clinics to proceed with paid spay/neuters to facilitate both their health and adoptions?
8. What makes the current board of directors think that your current plan for reopening the Bark House campus to dogs will be effective, assuming it’s a worthwhile plan, without seasoned behavior and veterinary management as well as shelter management on board at the OPHS?
9. My last question at the moment is what is the OPHS plan for addressing the extreme and immediate need for dog and cat spay/neuter programs in Clallam County?
I would so enjoy hearing the answers to those questions in response but hopefully at the scheduled meeting with others to hear who are also concerned about the OPHS’ future. Thank you for reading.
Hope"
The first of your questions were met with the canned response “501c3 orgs are required to produce their tax returns. Those are available online.” Any further questioning along this line were met with condescending or sarcastic response. Finally the director agreed to “Take the request for transparency to the board.”
4. There were about 50 staff at the peak and only six now.
5. There was some discussion of unionizing but the org is not in a position to bargain at this point. Sounds like this is on hold.
6 and 7. There are 43 cats at kitty city. 40 is capacity. Half of the cats are not yet ready for adoption because they’re waiting for spay/neuter. There are very few spay/neuter appointments available and without on staff vet this is definitely a hold up.
8. There is a plan in place to utilize professionals in the realm of behavior and infectious disease prevention. They have begun the process of improving quality of health and care by upgrading facility and improving procedures.
9. This was not discussed.
Did not see this until this morning (14th). I think what we have are volunteers that do not have CFO or CEO experience. We must in this community have some retired financial wizards that could donate a year of their time in helping get this back on track. I think we have people that care that want to help but are in way over their head. And no, financial information was not forthcoming and it was asked several times.
KC: We all trust that "nonprofits" are run by volunteers. Not so, it's amazing how much the CFO's and CEO's profit from nonprofits. Look at what happened to the GOODWILL industry. I think Watchdog has exposed a type of animal shelter GOODWILL that is taking advantage of trusting people who love animals. Can you imagine donating your money in your will because you care about animals and feel peaceful your donation will benefit the very animals you love, only to have the profits line the pockets of people? Too bad... it's too late to find another legacy.
Oh, I know there’s a lot of money in nonprofit. I see the county give money and grants to the nonprofits around here willy-nilly it’s very profitable to be a nonprofit.
Thanks again Jeff, sure doesn’t sound like they want ANY transparency into the financial document nor compensation. How can only 8% be used for these animals? Great info.
In 1906 a newspaper in Great Falls, Montana employed an analogy that compared the power of sunlight and publicity:
“Turn on the light and let us have a glimpse of the secret things done in the dark places in Washington. Sunlight is the great germicide and disinfectant, and publicity is healthful to the morals of government.”
We need to shine a bright light of transparency in Washington DC, Washington State, and Clallam County, and clear out the cockroaches that operate in the dark, in secret, behind closed doors.
Terrific analogy.
Yes, however, although WA state enacted a number of sunshine laws in the 1970's many other laws have neutered them.
"Voters approved the Public Disclosure Act by initiative in 1972. At the time, the Act included only 10 exemptions from disclosure. As of 2016, there are over 500 exemptions in the Revised Code of Washington." (source: attorney general's office).
While there ARE ethics laws on the books -- the teeth have been removed completely for elected county and local leaders (unless it's a whistleblower, someone who works within government). It's mostly a circular complaint department, like a hamster wheel.
Our county and city (Port Angeles, I don't know about Sequim) lack any ethics rules at all. Long gone is the ethics committee that PA once had (doubt the county ever had one) and, there are no repercussions for any elected official.
So much for sunshine, it's more like artificial light.
"hamster wheel," "neutered," you're doing great with animal puns, Marolee... someone should keep you on a leash :)
usually people recommend a muzzle...
Perfect …. They are loathsome… love living in filth.
You're welcome, David.
Excellent as usual, Jeff! Thank you.
It seems that we need far less bureaucracy and self-important titling, and more people taking care of animals.
You're welcome. Our community is so generous and empathetic... it's a perfect opportunity for money-hungry nonprofits.
Thank you, Jeff, for continuing to shine a light into the dark corners of local government.
You're always welcome, Sally.
Shout out to WAG for their continued (and well-managed!) efforts. They were recently awarded a contract with the County to help assuage some of the burden brought on by Humane Society's closure. https://wagsequimwa.com/?origin=serp_auto#/articles/media/671acc94dd99d021a6598620
Josie is a cat on /reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/1btrqcm/josie/?rdt=46163
(exact same markings, same name, oh look...same photo) So this request for donations is absolutely as bullshit as it gets. Same ol'OPHS. The kitty litter needs to be changed.
Nice find! Scandalous, even.
ITM.
Edit: I've reached out to the reddit user for any insight or feedback. Will update this comment as I learn anything...
https://www.reddit.com/user/dairycowliker/submitted/
Edit 2: It seems that these are indeed different cats. The OPHS mailer shows a cat with a black nose, and the reddit cat has white on its nose. See comparison: https://ibb.co/6vtTH5V
Odd how the names are the same... story is the same.
Agreed. With all the 'bots' on reddit, these days, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the account is fraudulent with computer-generated content.
There have been other instances of 'lost pets' being used to aid in the commission of scams. See: https://ibb.co/M5MMcjz
Thank you for this information.
Wag, and rise have stepped up to care for as many as they can handle. Also Fox Bell Training Center and Fox Bell events have also stepped up in creating Fox Bell Humane Society and have their 501.3c (?) already under the Olypen Peninsula Equine Network umbrella. This made it easier and faster for them to get started. They are accepting donations and have already mapped out the area and plans to build. The Vaughns have always been big into rescue, horses, dogs and cats to name few. I couldn’t be happier with the ladies as they are successful business leaders in our community and I’m excited they have stepped up
But, the county pulled back the $167k they gave OPHS last year, and this year has only slated $10k. Talk about a funding cliff....
From what I understand the Vaughns have had a meeting with the county to inform them of their plans and the county was receptive but as they are just getting off the ground no commitments have been made at this time. I’m excited to see another avenue for our community to assist with the multitude of animals that we are seeing in need of assistance and support.
Wow!!! That’s really good news…. I can hear the sound of donations already flowing ❣️❣️❣️
I’ve got them on automatic donations, same as I do for the horse rescue Olympic Peninsula equine network OPEN. I like local charities as I can see them in person and can see how the money is used. Love these ladies!!
As a donor or taxpayer, it’s essential that any funds given to a nonprofit are used responsibly, with transparency and accountability. We don't expect profit sharing, but in exchange we all deserve to see a clear, thorough analysis of the return on investment of our altruism.
Hence why there is a form to complain about a non-profit with the IRS. Form 13909 is something that we all should fill out regarding the 990N's filed with the IRS (and available for anyone to view ..for the last 5 years). The massive increase in salary of the past executive director -- is INUREMENT (https://www.nonprofitexpert.com/nonprofit-questions-answers/what-does-inure-or-incurment-mean/) The reticence of OPHS to actually open their books to the public, really strengthens the optics of wrong-doing. If they won't open them to the people, they certainly must to the IRS.
Excellent work by Jeff Tozzer again~!
We here have been tracking much of the same facts that are presented in this article, and we are again absolutely disgusted by the same shady characters that are currently in the local government who continue to insist that "all is well" despite the obvious blatant evidence to the contrary~! We are NOT stupid! Most Americans are waking up to these same childishly low level "mind tricks" that are always intended to trigger our emotions, just so that the criminals within our government and community can continue to rob us blind~! Yes, of course, it is all about "the kitties and puppies" and what is best for the community, however this is NEVER to be confused with the absolute moral requirement of transparency and the many criminal violations of the public trust that we know of~! What don't we know??? When those in the government who have a seriously questionable track record & history of failures handling our public funds quote dubious "law", that their corrupt cronies in government have designed to cover up their shady dealings, we damn well know that our hard-earned money is being stolen and used for things that we never agreed to or wanted in the first place~!!! This is an absolute outrage! Just pennies out of every dollar go to the animals that are supposed to get the help? These criminals within our communities all across America are using the same corrupt "evil rule book" and the time for them using our emotions against us has ended... Will it be necessary to have large scale criminal prosecutions of these shady characters? Will the corrupt government and their rigged "justice systems" be allowed to continue to deceive Americans and play us for fools? It is becoming more & more clear just why angry Americans in past history were pushed by the criminals in government to "tar & feather" them to finally address their long list of crimes & abuses~! Let us hope that "we" (Americans) can have a peaceful change in the way that those in government handle their duties VERY soon~! This is a good community of mostly decent folks, and I know many who would gladly work cheap or even for free if we remove the criminals who are robbing the taxpayers blind and creating dysfunction with their sick greed & gross incompetence~! Enough is enough~!!!
Paul Stehr-Green has a research/health background. (https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Paul-Stehr-Green-48889053) Wife was announced as a temporary replacement for our county health guy. (citation: https://www.sequimgazette.com/news/board-picks-stehr-green-for-interim-health-officer/) Not sure what epidemiology has prepared him for being involved as director of OPHS, but sure. Google is our friend.
Jeff don’t you care about THE KITTIES AND THE PUPPIES???????? That line was the most manipulative bureaucratic thing I’ve ever heard.
Tugging at the heartstrings is a sure way to get money out of people... and for those who don't know, baby seals have an increased rate of survival if you subscribe to CC Watchdog.
There is reality. Saving all kittens and puppies is not reality. We can't save the world. It just can't happen. Many Clallam County residents are living from hand to mouth and can't afford rent much less contributions to save animals. Although it reads good that all these breeding cats and dogs can be saved, that is not the truth. People in the county can't afford health care... that's the truth. People can't afford rent, that's the truth. People can't afford to eat healthy, that's the truth. Saving all animals is not the truth and as harsh as it is, that's the truth. Set honest and real goals, otherwise the dog and cat shelters will become more like inhumane hoarding situations. We cannot spade and neuter enough to keep up. That is the truth.
At one point last year, they were bringing animals from outside Clallam County to receive services from OPHS. We can't even pay for the ones we have here, let alone those from other counties and states.
Jeff, just to clarify, since I hear a lot of people complaining about reacues bringing in dogs from out of the area…. As a long time per rescuer and current “breed rescue,” I can assure you this is very common practice. When dealing with no kill shelters, you end up with a kennel full of pit bulls, German shepherds and behavior dogs who are very difficult to adopt out. The community begins to lose interest in adopting from the shelter because there is never any variety. At the same time, rescues and shelters are inundated with daily requests to help with abandoned, starving, injured, and code red(dogs in imminent danger at high kill shelters). Many of these dogs are of highly adoptable breeds so it’s very tempting to take them on, save their lives and easily adopt them out. I do this all the time and there are people in the community who criticize, but I am not a “no kill shelter.” I help dogs of a certain type because I have connections to people with the same passion and know I can place them. I happen to know the people who have rescued dogs from out of the area, dod so because 1. The plea tugged at their heart and they wanted to save lives, and 2. They felt the addition would lend a variety to the shelter and would be easily adoptable.
Not much of a believer in coincidence!!!
"1) How much did OPHS pay the GreenRubino firm?"
"CC Watchdog contacted President Stehr-Green with questions:"
Any relation between the two????
There are no coincidences… 😁
Doesn't appear to be any connection or relation. I doubt any PR firm would have an epidemiologist on staff.
I was thinking more along the lines of Mother, sister, brother, or cousin. Kinda like VP Joe and his brother getting Gov't contracts.
I don't pick up these fine details everyone else catches. Someone pointed out that one of Cascadia Consulting Group's employees (from "There's a Hole in the Budget") is named Meg Horst... could it be a connection to Sequim's self-proclaimed activist and agitator-in-chief?
Rome is down to its knees from government overhead. Rome will not last without private industry and is down to its final days. They look like they are just waiting for Rome to crumple the rest of the way to transfer the government flags over to the non profit NGO model looking through the international retribution lens.
Thanks Jeff.
Is there an alternative reputable rescue agency that deserves community support?
You're welcome, Lawrence. WAG (Welfare Animals Guild) has taken the lion's share of strays since OPHS closed and when I asked, they encouraged me to come "look at their books."
RISE Rescue Alliance took over the 10 remaining dogs after the closure of the Barkhouse (at their own expense) and they have been working diligently to care for them and find them great homes!
From what I've heard, Rise staff were also helping to keep the ophs Barkhouse facility in clean and working condition post-closure.
Rise has *plenty* of their own work to do - they deserve support and recognition from the community, as well!
WAG, Rise Alliance and Fox Bell
Fox Bell hasn’t even taken in one dog yet, or gone out and helped with picking up and finding homes for stray animals in the community. WAG has proven their worth of our donations over and over again for years and about their care of our animals in need and they are very transparent with all of their actions. RISE is another solid organization to donate to.
Thank you.
The Rise Rescue Alliance www.riserescue.org
They have their 2023 Annual Report posted on their website.
https://www.ophumanesociety.org/sites/ophumanesociety/files/2024-03/OPHS%202023%20Annual%20Report%20FINAL.pdf
Their pie graph indicates 71% of their monies goes to "programs" and 28% to administration + fundraising. That doesn't seem too bad.
Unfortunately the information they're reporting lacks details. At this juncture that's needed to properly evaluate if future tax payer dollars should be directed to them. When someone loses trust they're required to admit they're mistakes and identify what they'll do in order to regain it. But that's my opinion.
Yes, and the 990n's have a lot of "expenses" grouped in strange clumps. On FB they tried to explain this as "oh it was a mistake" however, once anyone finds evidence of mistakes reported to the IRS, they are obligated to send in an updated, amended return, to correct these errors. I find no evidence online (IRS) that this was ever done.