Emails suggest LHS Board passed secret resolution of 40 dog cap.

In June of 2010, there were “rumors” about the previous board lowering the shelter’s dog inventory in an attempt to save money.  With these “rumors” came heart wrenching panic, fear, and deep sadness from shelter staff, volunteers, and the community at large.

Don’t believe anything you hear until it is officially denied.

Well, these “rumors” were officially denied by the previous board, and continued to be denied by the interim board upon taking over.

While the public was fearing for the safety of the dogs, an email was sent to the previous board...the board that wanted to lower dog inventory...the board that resigned en masse in mid July...the board that blamed all of LHS’s problems on the management at that time...the board that blamed No-Kill.

This email expressed the public’s concerns, as well as the legal implications brought about by the previous board’s “rumored” decision to lower the shelter’s dog inventory.  The email is as follows:

1. "The Board passed a resolution without public notice of such.  This was not listed on the agenda for the meeting as per the Open Meetings Act.  The group is also focusing on the fact that the the resolution was a surprise to staff and management, with no prior discussion or buy in.  The "concerned group" is circulating the fact that the resolution to cap the inventory of dogs at 40 basically requires that all dog inventory (after adoptions, transfers, foster), be euthanized at the end of each month to make room for the 57 that come in each month.  Strong focus on the fact that this resolution will reduce LHS to a 30-day hold pound and in no longer keeping with our mission statement;"
2. "The Board passed a resolution to cap the dog inventory at 40 which is direct violation of the new 5 year contract with Jersey City which states the dog inventory to be at 74.  Furthermore, it does not account for the additional $96,000 contract with Hoboken which calls for an additional 4 dogs per month;"
3. "LHS was granted a $300,000 restricted grant, in addition to the annual contract, several years back from the City of JC to enlarge the dog kennel area and make other necessary improvements to the facility.  The "concerned" group wants a complete report on why that money was not spent as it was intended, and may call for it to be returned to the taxpayers;"

"I would respectfully suggest that we seek legal guidance on these issues in that they could result in the loss of our contract with JC and Hoboken as well as the need to repay "restricted" monies that were to be used to enlarge/enhance the facility. These monies, instead, were used by prior board members to pay bills.  For sure, this would close the shelter down."

The board responded to this email.  Former Board President John O’keefe gave this answer:

"These are not legal issues.  Ask them to attend the next board meeting to voice their concerns.  I will speak to Harry about the 75-dog capacity requirement in the contract and try to get it lowered."

If it’s not a concern, then why speak to Harry Melendez, Director of Health and Human Services, to get the 75-dog capacity requirement lowered?

And at the next board meeting that John O’keefe was referring to, the community came together to ask their questions, but the board resigned. 

Why, then, did the interim and new board deny all this?  Why are they denying that the shelter’s contract with Jersey City requires them to house 74 dogs?  And Hoboken’s contract an additional 4 dogs ?

Not only do their actions void the contract with Jersey City ($270,000) but they void the contract with Hoboken ($96,000).  As well as void their contract with John Neu to reduce euthanasia at the shelter based on his 2010 donation of $275,000.

I’m sure any “humane” shelter would happily take $275,000 to help lower euthanasia.

So now I ask you, those who continue to think that all is ‘fine and dandy’ at the shelter, how can you turn a blind eye to something that is so blatant, and so wrong?

Oh, and how many dogs are at the shelter now?