Supporters slam closing of Flushing stray shelter
By Stephen Stirling
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| A “closed” sign hangs on the door of Animal Haven’s Flushing sanctuary Sunday. Photo by Christina Santucci |
After more than 40 years, Flushing’s Animal Haven closed its doors Sunday, a move the nonprofit said was essential for its continued survival, but several former volunteers contend was the result of gross mismanagement and the abandonment of the group’s mission.
Animal Haven opened its doors in 1967 and has operated as one of the borough’s most successful and best known animal shelters for the last four decades. The group made a name for itself as a no−kill shelter that would medically care for and house abandoned and stray dogs and cats at either its 35−22 Prince St. location or upstate sanctuary while they found an adopting family for them.
But the nonprofit, which recently dismissed its executive director amid growing debt, was forced to close its upstate sanctuary in December and on Sunday shuttered the Flushing center to operate full time out of a singular location in SoHo in Manhattan and a mobile adoption van.
“Animal Haven is sizing its operations to a more manageable level as we feel this is the cautiously optimistic and responsible way to handle ourselves given the fund−raising outlook for the foreseeable future,” said Tiffany Lacey, the interim executive director.
But the closure has not sat well with many longtime volunteers and supporters, however, who have called the decision misguided and said the consolidation has led to the euthanization of several dogs and cats that were not adopted in time and the organization no longer has the space to care for.
“When they were closing the Animal Haven shelter, they weren’t even trying to adopt the animals,” said Marsha DiPietro, who has volunteered with the group for 12 years. “They’re heartless people.”
Animal Haven maintains that the decision was the most prudent course of action to keep the organization alive and said it does not euthanize animals unless absolutely necessary.
Martha Waltien, who has volunteered for the group for the last five years, said she has never known the group to consider euthanizing animals because of a money situation.
“The loss of the shelter in Flushing is incalculable. Animal Haven was always a beacon of hope, a role model and inspiration,” Waltien said. “Their motto has always been ‘For a lifetime of care.’ Animals are only admitted if they are deemed adoptable. Once animals were admitted, they were never ever, ever euthanized. It goes against everything they stood for.”
Gertrude Barron, who owns the Worthy Paws shop in Bayside and was the legal representative of Animal Haven when it started 40 years ago, said the loss of the Flushing Center creates a big hole to fill in Queens.
“I think it’s a tragedy because there is no no−kill shelter in Queens anymore. Animal Haven served a purpose, a very good purpose. Now none of this is available — if there’s a stray dog or cat in Queens, too bad,” Barron said. “Animal Haven is a Queens organization, but they said they need to transfer the building to Manhattan to stay alive. That’s not going to bring back the animals that have been put down.”
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e−mail at sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 138.
Animal Haven opened its doors in 1967 and has operated as one of the borough’s most successful and best known animal shelters for the last four decades. The group made a name for itself as a no−kill shelter that would medically care for and house abandoned and stray dogs and cats at either its 35−22 Prince St. location or upstate sanctuary while they found an adopting family for them.
But the nonprofit, which recently dismissed its executive director amid growing debt, was forced to close its upstate sanctuary in December and on Sunday shuttered the Flushing center to operate full time out of a singular location in SoHo in Manhattan and a mobile adoption van.
“Animal Haven is sizing its operations to a more manageable level as we feel this is the cautiously optimistic and responsible way to handle ourselves given the fund−raising outlook for the foreseeable future,” said Tiffany Lacey, the interim executive director.
But the closure has not sat well with many longtime volunteers and supporters, however, who have called the decision misguided and said the consolidation has led to the euthanization of several dogs and cats that were not adopted in time and the organization no longer has the space to care for.
“When they were closing the Animal Haven shelter, they weren’t even trying to adopt the animals,” said Marsha DiPietro, who has volunteered with the group for 12 years. “They’re heartless people.”
Animal Haven maintains that the decision was the most prudent course of action to keep the organization alive and said it does not euthanize animals unless absolutely necessary.
Martha Waltien, who has volunteered for the group for the last five years, said she has never known the group to consider euthanizing animals because of a money situation.
“The loss of the shelter in Flushing is incalculable. Animal Haven was always a beacon of hope, a role model and inspiration,” Waltien said. “Their motto has always been ‘For a lifetime of care.’ Animals are only admitted if they are deemed adoptable. Once animals were admitted, they were never ever, ever euthanized. It goes against everything they stood for.”
Gertrude Barron, who owns the Worthy Paws shop in Bayside and was the legal representative of Animal Haven when it started 40 years ago, said the loss of the Flushing Center creates a big hole to fill in Queens.
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Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e−mail at sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 138.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of yournabe.com.
animal lover wrote on Mar 6, 2009 10:22 PM:
" You people need to get your facts straight. The people interviewed in this article are NOT volunteers at Animal Haven. They are ignorant to all of the good that Animal Haven does everyday and they know nothing about the organization. "
Belissima Gatta wrote on Mar 6, 2009 11:12 PM:
" Whomever you are--why don't you stop covering for the miserable deeds committed by AH Soho--those poor creatures were exterminated as "The Final Solution" namely by the Board of Directors and AH overpaid Directors--
I was a volunteer and can vouch for the heartless and disgusting way these animals were done away with after being made to suffer without medcial treatment for too long....We are the people of the true Animal Haven of Queens on Prince St. whose doors are now closed since Death visited it last week...and not by the most humane methods, mind you... "
I was a volunteer and can vouch for the heartless and disgusting way these animals were done away with after being made to suffer without medcial treatment for too long....We are the people of the true Animal Haven of Queens on Prince St. whose doors are now closed since Death visited it last week...and not by the most humane methods, mind you... "
beaus mom wrote on Mar 7, 2009 9:19 AM:
" If no animals were killed, perhaps the defenders of Soho can reveal the specific whereabouts of Ace, Jackpot, Google, Freeway, Cruella, Toe, and Oliver to name just a few animals that seem to have "disappeared." "
Belissima Gatta wrote on Mar 7, 2009 4:34 PM:
" Yes, Beaus, Call them up and talk to
Tiffany Lacey and ask her exactly what
happened to them. You have a right to know. Let us know he, as well. Do you need the phone #?
Their dirty business of death covered up by yuppy types downtown will never be forgotten by us, the working class fighting cat and dog Mamas of Queens! The business of death cannot be hidden to anyone who has eyes and knows how to do simple math. Thanks "
Tiffany Lacey and ask her exactly what
happened to them. You have a right to know. Let us know he, as well. Do you need the phone #?
Their dirty business of death covered up by yuppy types downtown will never be forgotten by us, the working class fighting cat and dog Mamas of Queens! The business of death cannot be hidden to anyone who has eyes and knows how to do simple math. Thanks "
the yuppies wrote on Mar 7, 2009 5:27 PM:
" Get your facts right. I know Animal Haven inside and out - and they are good people who did right by the animals. You all need to get a life! Animal Haven worked hard to place all of those animals. I am sure that some were humanely euthanized for their own sake. Living in a cage or room is not a life. You all are selfish for wanting these animals to live in a house with over 200 other animals for eternity. "
beaus mom wrote on Mar 7, 2009 7:09 PM:
" In reply to the "yuppies" who know Animal Haven " inside and out":
That's a perfect phrase for the new organization that hijacked a 40 year old no kill shelter and turned it" inside out". I guess euthanasia is an easier solution than finding homes for the animals and working hard to make their lives more enjoyable. How many hours a week did you walk the dogs at Flushing to get them out of their rooms? How many toys and treats did you buy? How many cats did you pet and play with? What does the word HAVEN mean now? "
That's a perfect phrase for the new organization that hijacked a 40 year old no kill shelter and turned it" inside out". I guess euthanasia is an easier solution than finding homes for the animals and working hard to make their lives more enjoyable. How many hours a week did you walk the dogs at Flushing to get them out of their rooms? How many toys and treats did you buy? How many cats did you pet and play with? What does the word HAVEN mean now? "
Leopard wrote on Mar 7, 2009 7:13 PM:
" Animal Haven sold out the people of Queens. The shelter belonged in Queens. If efforts had been made to host events in Queens, to raise money with more intensive outreach queens could have survived. Soho was the death knell for AH. I am sorry that I diid not listen to my inner voice when Soho was started back in 2004--and stop donating then, I would not be so hurt now. I knew that this was the wrong thing to do--along with others.--but our voices never counted. "
Avery wrote on Mar 7, 2009 10:14 PM:
" Oh Miss Yuppie ,
Best Friends maintains over 200 cats in their shelter .
They live in home like settings .
Like Animal Haven's kitties did .
Why don't you call Best Friends & tell them they torturing their cats & dogs till eternity .
Hmm...
ps
I betcha you dress your dog in those obnoxious doggie dresses that AH sells !
Friends selling doggie clothes, Friends running a dog training school at AH etc . ...
Makes me think all you care is your wallets not homeless animals .
GREEDY GREEDY GREEDY !!! "
Best Friends maintains over 200 cats in their shelter .
They live in home like settings .
Like Animal Haven's kitties did .
Why don't you call Best Friends & tell them they torturing their cats & dogs till eternity .
Hmm...
ps
I betcha you dress your dog in those obnoxious doggie dresses that AH sells !
Friends selling doggie clothes, Friends running a dog training school at AH etc . ...
Makes me think all you care is your wallets not homeless animals .
GREEDY GREEDY GREEDY !!! "
Leopard wrote on Mar 8, 2009 9:26 AM:
" http://support.animalhavenshelter.org/site/PageNavigator/Catsforadoption
Cruella seems to be up on one of pages. What happened to her? "
Cruella seems to be up on one of pages. What happened to her? "
another yuppy wrote on Mar 8, 2009 2:56 PM:
" There is a difference --
best friends has 3,000 acres to take care of there hundreds of animals!! the shelter in flushing was a HOUSE!!!
that's the difference.
can't be a best friends in a small little house in queens "
best friends has 3,000 acres to take care of there hundreds of animals!! the shelter in flushing was a HOUSE!!!
that's the difference.
can't be a best friends in a small little house in queens "
Samatha wrote on Mar 8, 2009 4:35 PM:
" So sad .
And I bet this is the future reality for AH Flushing .
As Joni Mitchell wrote ...
"They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot ." "
And I bet this is the future reality for AH Flushing .
As Joni Mitchell wrote ...
"They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot ." "
love my pets wrote on Mar 8, 2009 6:01 PM:
" I volunteer at animal haven - both flushing, van events and at the soho location. It is a great organization and I think you people are just getting angry because you all are obsessed with the fact the shelter is leaving queens. The shelter continues to do great work. There is a dog there who is special needs - and the shelter now has the time to work with him. he will be placed in an amazing home!
How dare you all for making these comments. I bet you haven't really volunteers in a long time - or at all!
Have you walked the dogs? socialized the cats? done a transport to an adopter or vet appointment? You should not throw stones.
I bet you are all hoarders who just want animals to live no matter what the circumstances or quality of life are! "
How dare you all for making these comments. I bet you haven't really volunteers in a long time - or at all!
Have you walked the dogs? socialized the cats? done a transport to an adopter or vet appointment? You should not throw stones.
I bet you are all hoarders who just want animals to live no matter what the circumstances or quality of life are! "
beaus mom wrote on Mar 8, 2009 6:48 PM:
" In answer to the questions posed by "love my pets"....yep. Many times, for many years. i don't live in a glass house, so I can throw as many stones as I wish. "
avery wrote on Mar 8, 2009 6:50 PM:
" Doesn't have to be a Best Friends with all those acres of land .
But, it can be a Barc , Little Shelter , I Love Animals etc .
Which are great NY shelters & use their small spaces wisely to house animals humanely & lovingly .
You can do allot of things in a small house .
Let say making the building higher if you get zoning approval .
Did they ever try to do that ?
If you spend the time , energy , money you can make ant nests into castles .
But, it wasn't the size .
I believe monies went to SOHO .
I heard that the Mayors Alliance paid $250,000 to renovate the SOHO space ?
And, now they will be paying the SOHO spaces costs for the next 2 years ?
If that's true the Alliance has betrayed the many animals that had AH Flushing as a home & adoption center.
Including NYC's animal loving citizens too.
Why didn't they spend the money to make improvements in Flushing if needed ?
Karma & the truth is on it's way ... "
But, it can be a Barc , Little Shelter , I Love Animals etc .
Which are great NY shelters & use their small spaces wisely to house animals humanely & lovingly .
You can do allot of things in a small house .
Let say making the building higher if you get zoning approval .
Did they ever try to do that ?
If you spend the time , energy , money you can make ant nests into castles .
But, it wasn't the size .
I believe monies went to SOHO .
I heard that the Mayors Alliance paid $250,000 to renovate the SOHO space ?
And, now they will be paying the SOHO spaces costs for the next 2 years ?
If that's true the Alliance has betrayed the many animals that had AH Flushing as a home & adoption center.
Including NYC's animal loving citizens too.
Why didn't they spend the money to make improvements in Flushing if needed ?
Karma & the truth is on it's way ... "
love all animals wrote on Mar 8, 2009 6:51 PM:
" Love my pets - obsessed with the shelter leaving Queens? What about upset and angry at a no-kill shelter of 41 years closing w/out any word until they were forced to annouce it and what about the fact that they put beloved animals to sleep?? I don't think you are a volunteer I believe you work there - shame on you!
PS I have 1 animal. "
PS I have 1 animal. "
Not so quick to judge wrote on Mar 8, 2009 8:02 PM:
" Here is the situation - Animal Haven having to leave Flushing is very sad. There is a lack of care and consideration for the animal population in Queens, and that in itself is a very disheartening fact. But let me ask all of you who are flying off the handle about the shelter's decisions. When was the last time you saw the shelter? If you say, "just several months or weeks ago", then you should know better than to say the reason it closed was due to overpaid staff members. The building was so old that there was mold in the foundation! There was no way to isolate any of the air flow so that contagious diseases did not spread from room to room. That house was not built to be a long-term care facility for 200+ animals, but the hardworking (and I DO mean hardworking like you cannot imagine) staff members and volunteers did their very, very best to provide for an overpopulation of animals that the organization did not have the resources to care for.
If you could honestly look at that facility and think that the main room of 200 cats was "just fine"... I wouldn't dare set one foot in your home. It was not "fine" by any means and downsizing the organization was by far the best thing AH could have done for the animals in their care.
Animal Haven has adopted out more animals in the past few months than the Flushing location has in YEARS. YEARS.
And for all those who say that the Soho facility is about "pocket pooches" and purebreds.... why don't you check out who is currently up for adoption. A DEAF pit, an overweight pit with skin allergies, and an emaciated pit who was pulled from the ACC. They'd look pretty funny in your pocket, wouldn't they?
What Animal Haven had going on before- though it sounded nice- was not only unrealistic, it was too much to handle for such a small organization. And yes, PAST management (former BOARD members included), are to blame for many of the predicaments AH recently found itself in. What the current management is doing now, is not only responsible and humane, it is going to put more animals in wonderful homes.
I don’t even need to know who you are (though I can guess) to know that you have little understanding of and education in NYC animal sheltering. You have NO idea how hard AH staff works in order to provide these animals with the highest level of care and best chance at adoption. Most of the staff works 7-days a week, around the clock. And you think they make $100,000?! No. That was around what the past executive director made who, by the way, might have shown up at the shelter once a week... IF that.
The majority of the staff barely makes enough to cover bills. Many times, they don’t even make THAT. But they continue to work day and night to adopt animals out to loving homes. Anyone who tries to make their job harder than it already is, is not only illogical (because how is HURTING the shelter and the staff going to HELP the animals??), they are cruel and selfish. So please, get off your damn computers, stop trying to protest outside their shelter, and do something meaningful with your time.
If you ALL were so upset about Animal Haven closing, why didn’t you get together and BUY the building? Why not open your own shelter? Because it’s just not that easy…..is it? "
If you could honestly look at that facility and think that the main room of 200 cats was "just fine"... I wouldn't dare set one foot in your home. It was not "fine" by any means and downsizing the organization was by far the best thing AH could have done for the animals in their care.
Animal Haven has adopted out more animals in the past few months than the Flushing location has in YEARS. YEARS.
And for all those who say that the Soho facility is about "pocket pooches" and purebreds.... why don't you check out who is currently up for adoption. A DEAF pit, an overweight pit with skin allergies, and an emaciated pit who was pulled from the ACC. They'd look pretty funny in your pocket, wouldn't they?
What Animal Haven had going on before- though it sounded nice- was not only unrealistic, it was too much to handle for such a small organization. And yes, PAST management (former BOARD members included), are to blame for many of the predicaments AH recently found itself in. What the current management is doing now, is not only responsible and humane, it is going to put more animals in wonderful homes.
I don’t even need to know who you are (though I can guess) to know that you have little understanding of and education in NYC animal sheltering. You have NO idea how hard AH staff works in order to provide these animals with the highest level of care and best chance at adoption. Most of the staff works 7-days a week, around the clock. And you think they make $100,000?! No. That was around what the past executive director made who, by the way, might have shown up at the shelter once a week... IF that.
The majority of the staff barely makes enough to cover bills. Many times, they don’t even make THAT. But they continue to work day and night to adopt animals out to loving homes. Anyone who tries to make their job harder than it already is, is not only illogical (because how is HURTING the shelter and the staff going to HELP the animals??), they are cruel and selfish. So please, get off your damn computers, stop trying to protest outside their shelter, and do something meaningful with your time.
If you ALL were so upset about Animal Haven closing, why didn’t you get together and BUY the building? Why not open your own shelter? Because it’s just not that easy…..is it? "
Da Vinci wrote on Mar 8, 2009 9:07 PM:
" Yes, I agree the buiiding was totally funky and less than attractive. But it was only because of fats egos to get involved with a money pit called Soho--and get money from the Mayor's Alliance to pay for it, and then sacrifice and not care for the Flushing animals. Again, any responsilble manager of a non-profit in a designated community, who cared about the community that the shelter was in --in this case--Flushing- would have found ways to improve it. They could have sold the building and relocated to another premise, and concentrate on local events, and raise money within Queens. There are several rescue groups in Queens who have their acts together as we speak to raise money for their causes by hosting events in the Borough of Queens. Queens is full of families y and private dwellings--not like Manhattan where barely 10% of the apartments allow pets. There was no reason for this to happen except in the fantasy world of those in charge who wanted to be adored by Broadway guys and dolls. This is a straight case of class conflict and class warfare--It was a community shelter for Queens--not Manhattan which has several shelters and (not the death camp ACC) and many many rescue groups. Can you please try to understand that our shelter has been taken away from us and that cats and dogs have died needlessly because of the stupidity and and fiscal irresponsibiilty of those in charge. Whatever possessed them to think that al little shelter could branch out into Manhattan? The money would have been put to far better use to overhaul Queens and find a better shelter. There was no reason for the cats and dogs to die a horrible death--and no one believes that AH Soho found homes for
circa 200 cats or dogs--They simply transferred them to a facility that would put them to death so they would not have the blood on their hands. They could not care less about those living creatures one bit. I had a revealing conversation with one AH Director early on and the response was very telling.BTW The 2008 IRS report will show what the Directors are making, just as the 2007 report did. "
circa 200 cats or dogs--They simply transferred them to a facility that would put them to death so they would not have the blood on their hands. They could not care less about those living creatures one bit. I had a revealing conversation with one AH Director early on and the response was very telling.BTW The 2008 IRS report will show what the Directors are making, just as the 2007 report did. "
Da Vinci wrote on Mar 8, 2009 9:15 PM:
" One more thing, to Not So Quick To Judge
Can you please be more specific with details as to your statement:
"Animal Haven has adopted out more animals in the past few months than the Flushing location has in YEARS. YEARS".
Can you please prove it--and maybe maybe we will feel a little better... "
Can you please be more specific with details as to your statement:
"Animal Haven has adopted out more animals in the past few months than the Flushing location has in YEARS. YEARS".
Can you please prove it--and maybe maybe we will feel a little better... "
avery wrote on Mar 8, 2009 9:34 PM:
" "Not So Quick to Judge "
I believe that you are the person that could have kept Flushing AH alive , safe & sound too .
Wish you had the courage to chalk up SOHO as a big mistake .
I don't think it's too late to reopen Flushing unless
someone keeping your hands tied ! "
I believe that you are the person that could have kept Flushing AH alive , safe & sound too .
Wish you had the courage to chalk up SOHO as a big mistake .
I don't think it's too late to reopen Flushing unless
someone keeping your hands tied ! "
Aiurophile wrote on Mar 8, 2009 9:44 PM:
" For the record, I saw the horrid condition that one of the Flushing AH's adoptees was in. Thankfully, because of her he was spared death. The vet said he was in critical condition with an eye infection, green discharge, rotten teeth, respiratory infection, diarhhea, and more. My friend did her mitzvah in adopting this cat and God Bless Her. For the record, this cat was destined to die after being made to suffer for at least two years without medical attention...The sweet boy told her by holding out his paw that he wanted to live--he said Please get me out of here--and that is why she saved him as her mitzvah--a torah commandment--to do a kind deed. "
Chantilly Lace wrote on Mar 9, 2009 9:34 AM:
" Anyone who has even has the slightest IQ canfigure out what Soho is going to do with the Prince Street property. With the several million dollars they will get for it, being that it is a commercially zoned district, Soho will now have a nice fat wallet to pay for the excesses at Soho.
Wouldn't it be nice if the could spend that money on homeless children instead of the exorbitant overhead downtown and the paying off the extreme debt they are in now? "
Wouldn't it be nice if the could spend that money on homeless children instead of the exorbitant overhead downtown and the paying off the extreme debt they are in now? "
firebird wrote on Mar 9, 2009 9:43 AM:
" If the management of the Flushing shelter thought the conditions were overcrowded and terrible, why did they keep accepting additional animals? "
Hillary wrote on Mar 9, 2009 11:44 AM:
" Please posts links for the AH IRS reports for 2004 till now .
We are curious when they started refinancing the building with new morgages ? "
We are curious when they started refinancing the building with new morgages ? "
firebird wrote on Mar 10, 2009 8:09 AM:
" Hillary, if you write to a charity for its financial report, it is supposed to send it to you. "
animal lover wrote on Mar 10, 2009 8:45 AM:
" Soho thinks that that the former volunteers/supporters/sponsors are going to go away in time and all will be forgotten. MISCONCEPTION! Strength is in numbers and we are growing in numbers. You will be seeing alot of us...only the next times will be unannounced.
Soho is paying alot of money to their interim executive director and public relations person.
Management of Soho...you are wasting your money. They don't know how to deal with the public. The day the protestors were down at Soho...instead of inviting them into the shelter and trying to talk things out...they shut them out and were very antagonistic. Ever hear the expression? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer? Alot could have been resolved that day had the employees of AH Soho handled the situation differently. Unfortunately, they were not smart enough to know how to deal with the situation.
There is a long Spring/Summer ahead of us.
YOU WILL BE SEEING ALOT OF US!!!! "
Soho is paying alot of money to their interim executive director and public relations person.
Management of Soho...you are wasting your money. They don't know how to deal with the public. The day the protestors were down at Soho...instead of inviting them into the shelter and trying to talk things out...they shut them out and were very antagonistic. Ever hear the expression? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer? Alot could have been resolved that day had the employees of AH Soho handled the situation differently. Unfortunately, they were not smart enough to know how to deal with the situation.
There is a long Spring/Summer ahead of us.
YOU WILL BE SEEING ALOT OF US!!!! "
Lotsa love wrote on Mar 10, 2009 11:01 AM:
" Hillary ,
Sign up for Guidestar for AH financial report, .
It's free .
http://www.guidestar.org/ "
Sign up for Guidestar for AH financial report, .
It's free .
http://www.guidestar.org/ "
quick to judge wrote on Mar 10, 2009 1:30 PM:
" For the person who wrote not so quick to judge...does anyone remember how the previous executive director slept in mud in tents at Katrina to bring animals back here to safety?
I can't imagine anyone at the Soho boutique doing something like that.
Your previous executive director did not have to be at the shelter in Flushing every week. That person gave his life for 8 years and worked all sorts of hours.
Say what you want but we all know the truth. "
I can't imagine anyone at the Soho boutique doing something like that.
Your previous executive director did not have to be at the shelter in Flushing every week. That person gave his life for 8 years and worked all sorts of hours.
Say what you want but we all know the truth. "
give me a break wrote on Mar 10, 2009 2:52 PM:
" In answer to not so quick to judge...Animal Haven did not get those animals in the Flushing shelter adopted...it was the past volunteers that brought this fiasco to the attention of New York 1 News. We forced Animal Haven Flushing's hand to become public about what they were doing and let the public know that there were so many animals up for adoption.
It was a volunteer that called Best Friends in Utah to take the Leukemia cats and for the record...the last weeks before the shelter was closing many small spay and neuter organizations called Animal Haven and left messages that they would take animals but they never got a response back. We have emails to back this up.
The last month before they closed, the shelter was operating with their awning down and sometimes not even picking up their phone.
Once again, it was the former volunteers that shamed them into opening up their doors again to the public.
To top it off, they adopted out a cat that was on death's door...but according to them, he had just been checked out 4 months earlier and was in good health... which was a lie. To date, Animal Haven still has not provided any medical records to the owner.
I don't know who Animal Haven Soho thinks they are dealing with. We are alot smarter than you give us credit for as you will see in the very near future. "
It was a volunteer that called Best Friends in Utah to take the Leukemia cats and for the record...the last weeks before the shelter was closing many small spay and neuter organizations called Animal Haven and left messages that they would take animals but they never got a response back. We have emails to back this up.
The last month before they closed, the shelter was operating with their awning down and sometimes not even picking up their phone.
Once again, it was the former volunteers that shamed them into opening up their doors again to the public.
To top it off, they adopted out a cat that was on death's door...but according to them, he had just been checked out 4 months earlier and was in good health... which was a lie. To date, Animal Haven still has not provided any medical records to the owner.
I don't know who Animal Haven Soho thinks they are dealing with. We are alot smarter than you give us credit for as you will see in the very near future. "
Mitzi wrote on Mar 10, 2009 7:11 PM:
" I just would like to know....what happened to all the animals that were in AH. Is there proof? "
Confused wrote on Mar 10, 2009 11:01 PM:
" I have been a volunteer on and off for MANY years too many and don't want to reveal my age. It seems that there are so many comments and the truth is somewhere in the middle. I have see the flushing site have significant improvement. New air systems and smaller rooms for sick cats to be in. New things for them to climb on and new floors. The old floors were falling apart. The first big thing i remember was the cages being changed to small rooms for the dogs. Last time i saw them they needed work for sure. There were a lot of cats maybe too many but they all seemed happy!!! So it seemed that both the past management and staff really have worked hard to make flushing better. I would think they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on these things in the last 10 years or so. I also don't understand why all of sudden it was so bad it can not be improved? I think soho is an amazing location. so i don't see why such bad feelings about that as well. I am most confused about why there was not a media plea to help rebuild or improve flushing, raise money, adopt more animals. It seems to me the management changed and then Flushing was being closed without any effort to save it. I have seen Animal Haven on TV for so many great stories could they not have used those contacts? i remember not so many years ago lLittle Shelter almost closing and they used the media to save the shelter. I am not a huge donor but I gave a few thousand dollars a year. Why was i not contacted or other donors contacted to say we need to raise X to save flushing? Did i miss this plea? At the same time i don't understand why all the fighting. Why isn't everyone working together to help save these animals. "
give me a break wrote on Mar 11, 2009 8:38 AM:
" To: Confused.
Thank you. You summed it all up. New management did not want to save the Flushing shelter. Being in Queens was beneath too many of the staff members...and they know who they are. They were always degrading the queens shelter and the area. Certain staff also forced many good and loyal volunteers to leave the shelter. They treated the volunteers very poorly....meanwhile these people would get out of their beds early on weekends to go and volunteer either walking the dogs, socializing with the cats or going on the adoption van.
As previously stated, if former volunteers had not brought in NY 1 to make the public aware of what was going on, alot more animals would have been murdered at the hands of the present management of Animal Haven Soho Boutique.
We all need to ban together and fight the using of the prestigious name, Animal Haven, continuing in Soho. This new organization needs to change their name and filing status with the IRS. Tjhey are not a charitable organization anymore.
I certainly don't believe as stated in previous comments, by the staff of AH, I am sure, that they have adopted many animals out of Soho.
One of the volunteers that was at the protest at Soho relayed to me that a former customer of theirs was telling her that they had two kittens in their window for weeks and could not get them adopted. This was coming from a gentleman who, after talking to the protestors, said he would no longer patronize AH Soho. If you can't adopt out two cute kittens, how are you going to adopt out the compromised animals, that they say they have in the shelter?
I HATE LIARS. "
Thank you. You summed it all up. New management did not want to save the Flushing shelter. Being in Queens was beneath too many of the staff members...and they know who they are. They were always degrading the queens shelter and the area. Certain staff also forced many good and loyal volunteers to leave the shelter. They treated the volunteers very poorly....meanwhile these people would get out of their beds early on weekends to go and volunteer either walking the dogs, socializing with the cats or going on the adoption van.
As previously stated, if former volunteers had not brought in NY 1 to make the public aware of what was going on, alot more animals would have been murdered at the hands of the present management of Animal Haven Soho Boutique.
We all need to ban together and fight the using of the prestigious name, Animal Haven, continuing in Soho. This new organization needs to change their name and filing status with the IRS. Tjhey are not a charitable organization anymore.
I certainly don't believe as stated in previous comments, by the staff of AH, I am sure, that they have adopted many animals out of Soho.
One of the volunteers that was at the protest at Soho relayed to me that a former customer of theirs was telling her that they had two kittens in their window for weeks and could not get them adopted. This was coming from a gentleman who, after talking to the protestors, said he would no longer patronize AH Soho. If you can't adopt out two cute kittens, how are you going to adopt out the compromised animals, that they say they have in the shelter?
I HATE LIARS. "
beaus mom wrote on Mar 11, 2009 11:43 AM:
" re: Guidestar
I think you must be a premium uses ($1,000 a year) to access their reports. "
I think you must be a premium uses ($1,000 a year) to access their reports. "
da vinci wrote on Mar 11, 2009 2:13 PM:
" Yes, in regards to teh Flushing shelter, it did seem tto have improved. When I adopted there in 2000 it was funky but all I cared about was giving a home to some sweet-pies--so I overlooked the
conditions--I figured the shelter is on a wing and pray so cut them some slack. Then, my understanidng was that is was gonig to be improved so when I returned in 2007 it did look much brighter and cheerier--with paint and cat furniture, etc. What I fail to understand--is WHY WAS NOT MORE OUTREACH DONE IN QUEENS to find homes for the children? All I ever heard was that Queens residents would go to North Shore to adopt. Why. Because Animal Haven was too low a profile and not well known enough. or in a poor location. I believe that the tragedy was that hundreds of thousands of dollars were wasted on Soho when a bright spiffy shelter could have been established in Queens for people all over New York City to adopt.
There was no reason to go to Manhattan except to kiss the asses of the movie and broadway stars and the
snobby and elitist Board of Directors. "
conditions--I figured the shelter is on a wing and pray so cut them some slack. Then, my understanidng was that is was gonig to be improved so when I returned in 2007 it did look much brighter and cheerier--with paint and cat furniture, etc. What I fail to understand--is WHY WAS NOT MORE OUTREACH DONE IN QUEENS to find homes for the children? All I ever heard was that Queens residents would go to North Shore to adopt. Why. Because Animal Haven was too low a profile and not well known enough. or in a poor location. I believe that the tragedy was that hundreds of thousands of dollars were wasted on Soho when a bright spiffy shelter could have been established in Queens for people all over New York City to adopt.
There was no reason to go to Manhattan except to kiss the asses of the movie and broadway stars and the
snobby and elitist Board of Directors. "
Belissima Gatta wrote on Mar 11, 2009 2:33 PM:
" A HIGH MASS AND REQUIEM IS IN ORDER TO THE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF DOGS AND CATS KILLED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF NIMAL SOHO--IT WAS THEIR --AND THEIRS-- ONLY FINAL SOLUTION FOR THE FLUSHING KIDS THOSE OF US IN THE KNOW....WE CAN ALL CORROBATE STORIES ON HOW THEY DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON LEADS WITH A GOOD FAITH EFFORT--BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GIVE A CRAP ABOUT THE FATE OF THOSE CHILDREN..... "
avery wrote on Mar 11, 2009 3:34 PM:
" Beaus Mom ,
If you know an teacher ,educator or anyone working in a college they can use the premium for free for 7 days .
Also ,check your public library they might have the premium .
Check the site and call guidestar they are really helpful ! "
If you know an teacher ,educator or anyone working in a college they can use the premium for free for 7 days .
Also ,check your public library they might have the premium .
Check the site and call guidestar they are really helpful ! "
Joseph wrote on Mar 11, 2009 3:38 PM:
" Also ,to a find tax report for Animal Haven or any charities please go to : http://www.guidestar.org/ It's free . All people in the educational system can get a 7 day free premium account that lets you in their archives for older reports ... "
For Beaus Mom wrote on Mar 11, 2009 5:28 PM:
" Extra Extra AH tax information site .
Just checked 2003 .
Looks great so far ...
Please , if you work in an office print out all the tax forms .
As many years as possible !
So, we can have copies !
https://fdncenter.org/ "
Just checked 2003 .
Looks great so far ...
Please , if you work in an office print out all the tax forms .
As many years as possible !
So, we can have copies !
https://fdncenter.org/ "
For Beaus Mom wrote on Mar 11, 2009 5:32 PM:
" If this doesn't open .
You'll have to register .
It's free though.
http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php "
You'll have to register .
It's free though.
http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php "
joseph wrote on Mar 11, 2009 6:33 PM:
" Huhhhh...????
From AH SOHO's recent website .
The SOHO boutique doesn't have the space anymore for volunteers since there are only a small amount of animals for adoption
.
Unless, volunteers want to work the registers to sell gourmet pet products .
On AH's website :
"Since our Volunteer Orientations are booked through the summer, we are not accepting new applications at this point. If you have already submitted an application, you will be contacted with the available orientation dates. If not, please wait until June to submit an application. Thank you!" "
From AH SOHO's recent website .
The SOHO boutique doesn't have the space anymore for volunteers since there are only a small amount of animals for adoption
.
Unless, volunteers want to work the registers to sell gourmet pet products .
On AH's website :
"Since our Volunteer Orientations are booked through the summer, we are not accepting new applications at this point. If you have already submitted an application, you will be contacted with the available orientation dates. If not, please wait until June to submit an application. Thank you!" "
da vinci wrote on Mar 11, 2009 7:20 PM:
" I find that very odd and suspect about the volunteers and entirely disingenous--they are putting ona scab public relationss front to stick it to the Flushing volunteers--also they basically want to screen their volunteers ta la John Ashcroft to find out who they are because they want to ensure that no one knows exactly what they are doing and to make sure there are no molls down in Soho. I am just wondering if this is legal for them to do so. I have never heard of a non-profit not needing volunteers. They are just trying to look good after they disposed of all those poor cats and dogs--it is completely disgusting--so I hope no one buys this--furthermore--consider all the money they spend on that website and getiing testimonials from people--this is sickening ---they are truly truly hateful for tryingt o pull a fast one on the public after what they did in Flushing... "
what what wrote on Mar 12, 2009 12:55 AM:
" Previous Post says - "What Animal Haven had going on before- though it sounded nice- was not only unrealistic, it was too much to handle for such a small organization. And yes, PAST management (former BOARD members included), are to blame for many of the predicaments AH recently found itself in. What the current management is doing now, is not only responsible and humane, it is going to put more animals in wonderful homes."
SEEMS TO ME THAT MUCH OF THE PAST MANAGEMENT IS STILL AT AH. 2ND AND 3RD IN COMMAND? ALSO I KNOW SOME BOARD MEMBERS LEFT BUT ISN'T THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD THE SAME? AND THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS THE SAME WHO HAVE NOT LEFT. EASY TO BLAME PEOPLE WHO ARE NO LONGER AROUND. DOESN'T SEEM SO PAST VS PRESENT IT IS PAST VS WHAT IS LEFT!!!! "
SEEMS TO ME THAT MUCH OF THE PAST MANAGEMENT IS STILL AT AH. 2ND AND 3RD IN COMMAND? ALSO I KNOW SOME BOARD MEMBERS LEFT BUT ISN'T THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD THE SAME? AND THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS THE SAME WHO HAVE NOT LEFT. EASY TO BLAME PEOPLE WHO ARE NO LONGER AROUND. DOESN'T SEEM SO PAST VS PRESENT IT IS PAST VS WHAT IS LEFT!!!! "
ASK FOR IT wrote on Mar 12, 2009 1:00 AM:
" Every charity must provide their tax returns when asked. Just call and ask for the years you want. document your call, who you spoke to etc.. There is also something called a 990. I would ask for both. Seeing the numbers on charity navigator they had made many good increases in income. "
firebird wrote on Mar 12, 2009 7:11 AM:
" To add to what ASK FOR IT said: THE 990 is the federal tax report filed by non profits. AH must also produce a yearly financial report. The public is entitled to receive both. . "
charity navigator wrote on Mar 12, 2009 8:36 AM:
" you can read everything on www.charitynavigator.org for free. just enter animal haven in the search option. all information on these sites is dated back to 2007. 2008 will not be posted until mid-2009 after tax time and the financial audit for the previous year is complete. "
Joseph wrote on Mar 12, 2009 10:34 AM:
" Another site & better site for seeing copies Original Tax Statements for Animal Haven & other charities .
It's Free to & has access to archives of older dates .
https://fdncenter.org/
http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php "
It's Free to & has access to archives of older dates .
https://fdncenter.org/
http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990s/990search/esearch.php "
give me a break wrote on Mar 12, 2009 1:23 PM:
" In response to what, what.
What is leflt at the Soho Boutique from the previous management is nothing to brag about.
You can never replace the previous executive director. He had a heart of gold when it came to animals. Present staff and management at the soho boutique just don't have that feeling.
Much of past management is still there and was there when things were going down at shelter. They did not choose to fix the situation becuase they wanted the shelter in Flushing to close so they could move to Soho and become more of a profit organization...working under a charitable organization status. This way they could make more money to pay their high salaries and rent. "
What is leflt at the Soho Boutique from the previous management is nothing to brag about.
You can never replace the previous executive director. He had a heart of gold when it came to animals. Present staff and management at the soho boutique just don't have that feeling.
Much of past management is still there and was there when things were going down at shelter. They did not choose to fix the situation becuase they wanted the shelter in Flushing to close so they could move to Soho and become more of a profit organization...working under a charitable organization status. This way they could make more money to pay their high salaries and rent. "
icarus wrote on Mar 12, 2009 3:03 PM:
" btw
they are not making money in soho--it is a total joke---and as a non-profit organization ---arethey is not the public entitled to full disclosure of their profits and losses...in addtion --we all know that the chicky chics downtown have contempt for us outer boroughers---that's okay folks--because we ain't gonna be writing out any checks to you anytime soon! "
they are not making money in soho--it is a total joke---and as a non-profit organization ---arethey is not the public entitled to full disclosure of their profits and losses...in addtion --we all know that the chicky chics downtown have contempt for us outer boroughers---that's okay folks--because we ain't gonna be writing out any checks to you anytime soon! "
avery wrote on Mar 13, 2009 1:29 PM:
" Open Questions for Charity Navigator !
Your concerns on AH SOHO .
http://blog.charitynavigator.org/2009/03/have-question-about-donating-nows-your.html
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Have A Question About Donating? Now's Your Chance To Ask.
Do you have questions about how charities work, how they spend your money and how to make the best possible decision about where to donate?
Then, join Ken Berger, Charity Navigator's president & CEO, on Tuesday, March 17, at noon (Eastern time) for an online discussion, "Making Good Giving Decisions," when he'll be answering these questions and more.
Pose your own question or just follow along at the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Posted by Sandra Miniutti at 2:06 PM
Labels: Chronicle of Philanthropy, Ken Berger "
Your concerns on AH SOHO .
http://blog.charitynavigator.org/2009/03/have-question-about-donating-nows-your.html
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Have A Question About Donating? Now's Your Chance To Ask.
Do you have questions about how charities work, how they spend your money and how to make the best possible decision about where to donate?
Then, join Ken Berger, Charity Navigator's president & CEO, on Tuesday, March 17, at noon (Eastern time) for an online discussion, "Making Good Giving Decisions," when he'll be answering these questions and more.
Pose your own question or just follow along at the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Posted by Sandra Miniutti at 2:06 PM
Labels: Chronicle of Philanthropy, Ken Berger "
interesting... wrote on Mar 13, 2009 7:07 PM:
" for people who are not involved with the day to day of this shelter, you sure do have lots to say.
why not visit and see the way the animals are keep, how well socialized they are, so many volunteers and potential adopters -- So many adoptions....
check it out !! "
why not visit and see the way the animals are keep, how well socialized they are, so many volunteers and potential adopters -- So many adoptions....
check it out !! "
firebird wrote on Mar 13, 2009 7:43 PM:
" Hey "interesting".....
SOHO Boutique is not a shelter; it is a pet store. And you need to learn how to proofread. "
SOHO Boutique is not a shelter; it is a pet store. And you need to learn how to proofread. "
Wow wrote on Apr 9, 2009 5:16 AM:
" I don't know how many of you folks have actually seen the SOHO location, but it's not that nice, actually it's poop-hole. They do not have much in the way of pet items for sale. They are in a run-down area and there is no way I'd even begin to consider this place a boutique or a pet store. I went there to adopt a cat (not knowing about this issue) and they have the place very packed with cats & dogs. It's a shelter (poor one at that) and if you call it a pet store or a boutique you either have not seen this place or your an idiot. "
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cat goddess wrote on Mar 6, 2009 3:45 PM:
They needlessly and heartless euthanized these children who were supposed to have been protected. Moreover, they allowed their animals to get sick so of course they would become unadoptable... "