Humane society responds to complaints, takes action

Over the last several months, Burke County Friends for Animals has been in turmoil.
It stems from some "clinical and administrative practices," said Gresham Orrison, acting president of the organization. Orrison said questions were raised in late summer about funds, personnel and practices.
But Orrison said the board of directors has worked to correct the issues. Part of the fallout includes three board members resigning, including President Peg DeMarco. The other two were Marie McClure and Kay Lewis.
DeMarco wouldn't comment on the issues facing the organization, referring all inquiries to Orrison.
Orrison said the board of directors has investigated practices and programs at the organization. As a result, the board suspended one program and took action against two employees.
Marsha Riddle, a board member for many years and chairwoman of the personnel committee, said the personnel committee conducted an investigation, which is not complete. But because of some of the recommendations from the committee, one employee was terminated and the committee found "questionable funds management."
Orrison said the board is still investigating and contacting people to find out if there was any embezzlement of funds. To date, he said, they haven't found any misappropriation of funds.
No money was taken or stolen, he said.
The organization did lose money with the downturn of the economy.
A trust fund set up by an individual to benefit the organization was mostly tied up in bank stocks. When the market took a nosedive, so did the trust fund, Orrison said. The money in the trust fund was used to help meet expenses when contributions didn't.
In addition, the board is keeping an eye on the daily business of the organization, including all financial transactions, Orrison said. He said the board established a review process of its finances.
Orrison said any money that comes in has to be documented and deposited the same day and the organization will have regular audits.
In addition, the board is creating a policy and procedures manual on all operations and will get input from all veterinarians in town. In the past, the organization hasn't communicated well with the veterinarians in town, he said.
One allegation made was that people other than a veterinarian or certified veterinarian tech was spaying and neutering animals. Chuck Zickus, the veterinarian for the organization, confirmed that.
Some members of the board of directors questioned the practice. Riddle said the intent was always that a veterinarian would be responsible for spaying and neutering.
Riddle said she asked Thomas Mickey, director of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board, about whether it was wrong for someone not certified to do it.
In a letter to Riddle, Mickey said that according to the North Carolina Veterinary Practice Act of the state general statutes sets 10 exemptions from the requirements of a veterinary license. One of the exemptions says that anyone can perform medical procedures on animals.
Orrison said in North Carolina a dog or cat or any other pet is considered property, the same as livestock, and anyone can spay or neuter. However, at Burke County Friends for Animals, Orrison said a veterinarian now has to do all of the spaying or neutering.
Orrison said the change came because of perception — in other words, it might be legal but is it right.
The intent, Riddle said, was always that a veterinarian would be responsible for spaying and neutering.
Zickus said there was one other person who also was performing spaying and neutering for two or three months. That person was trained and was competent to do them, he said. He said there was an accusation that a second person, excluding him, was performing the procedures but he was not aware of that happening.
Board members, Zickus said, told him around July or August that they want him to do all spaying and neutering, and he has.
He does 17 to 20 surgeries on Friday nights after he finishes his day job.
Zickus said he knows what the public perception is when it comes to treating dogs and cats the same as a farm animal but that's something that state legislators would have to change.
Everyone involved with Burke County Friends for Animals seems to want what's best for the animals.
"This organization is a growing, changing organization," Riddle said.
Riddle said the organization has provided many animals for the community.
If the organization didn't exist, the county animal control shelter would be swamped, Riddle said.
Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt said Burke County Friends for Animals is a great support for the county animal control.
McDevitt said in 2008, the county animal control shelter took in 6,024 animals. Of those, 1,205 were adopted through Burke County Friends for Animals.
He's not sure what they would do if the organization was no longer in operation.
A new law that goes into effect in January will require animal control to hold animals longer before they are euthanized.
Animal control can house about 35 animals, McDevitt said. With the new requirement, he estimates the shelter would have to double in size. But he also knows there's no money to do that.
As for the future of Burke County Friends for Animals, Riddle and Orrison said the board is working hard to keep the organization open.
Orrison said the board of directors has prepared revisions to its bylaws and improved communication with the organization's employees, members and volunteers.
"The near term goals are to improve administrative and clinical policies and procedures and strengthen the financial position of the organization," Orrison said.
Riddle said they're working hard to continue to care and support as many animals as possible and to find them a forever home.