.bmp)
The New Year started with a bang! The pseudo-sanctuary failed to pay its property taxes, owed over several years, and now the local County District Courts has turned over the delinquent tax account to Collections. That means if the pseudo-sanctuary does not pay its over due tax bill very soon, it is possible the County tax assessor-collectors will show up at the facility and start seizing items of value to sell. Don't worry folks, I don't think they will seize tigers or lions -- it's more likely they will seize one of the MANY vehicles in its possession or the computers, office furniture, etc.
Then I learned a large company sued the pseudo-sanctuary for failure to pay monies owed for an internet records search service. The company filed suit with the local County Clerk's Office in January 2007. The pseudo-sanctuary was served, refused to respond or go to court, so the Judge ruled summarily for the plaintiff (company). The pseudo-sanctuary was, again, served notice of the judgment against them. In December 2007, the pseudo-sanctuary FINALLY paid the amount ordered by the Court, to include: original amount owed, plus interest (8.25%), legal fees, attorney fees, and court fees. The pseudo-sanctuary ended up paying about double which was originally owed -- approximately $7,000! This dollar amount was taken from the animals' mouths and used to pay for a frivolous service the directors purchased for no other reason than to serve their own needs – a record search internet service which was not animal-related in any way.
Oh, and remember, last year the directors gave themselves (with the blessing of the Board of course) a 150% salary increase!! The salary increase was more than enough to cover the cost of the overdue taxes and the frivolous company bill (before it went to court).
Needless to say, all this information was sent to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Let see if these latest shenanigans got their attention!
On the plus side, a local Internet newspaper has been reporting the alleged activities of the pseudo-sanctuary on the web! I’ve learned his series of articles have quite a following amongst the animal rescue community and he has caught the eyes of the State and Federal agencies, plus the local media. Apparently, several people have come forward and provided him with information pertaining to their experiences with the pseudo-sanctuary. Some people are understandable angry (their animals are now dead of course) as they were promised life long wonderful care for their animals. Some people want to help, but are scared they will either lose their remaining animals if they speak out to the media or law enforcement. Some people want revenge. Some people want justice. And some people had such bad experiences they are afraid to speak out for fear they will be burned again.
I had no idea I would turn into a animal grief counselor when I started this investigation. Working with people, over the last 2+ years, whom have been lied to in the past and are now afraid to move forward in this case has been rather challenging. I cannot change what transpired in some one's past dealings with the pseudo-sanctuary--I cannot clear people's names (as there were many individuals discredited by the pseudo-sanctuary's directors and current staff, including myself) -- and I cannot promise people this case will resolve happily. All I can do is press forward--one day at a time--and pray the animals will receive the attention and care they so desperately need very soon. While I wish I could deal with all the emotions flying around this case - I have to remain steadfast to the cause - my main focus - the only reason why I started this entire investigation- to save the surviving animals. I'm not insensitive to peoples feelings, it's just I am only one person and there were a lot of hurt people out there wanting something from me I just am not capable of giving what everyone needs right now -- other than my promise that I will always be forthcoming and honest with each person and to make good on my promise not to give up on the animals. I believe I have earned the confidence of the current group of complainants whom had negative dealings with the pseud0-sanctuary directors. My main challenge now is trying to earn the confidence of the new “hurt” people joining the ranks of animal rescuers – and new “hurt” people seem to be joining the cause at a startling rate. Word is getting out that finally, progress is being made, and there is hope for the future. As we become a stronger, more confident group of people working hard to save the animals, it becomes almost impossible to ignore our pleas to remove the pseudo-sanctuary board of directors and instill a team dedicated to the health and welfare of all the sanctuary’s animals.
Then I learned a large company sued the pseudo-sanctuary for failure to pay monies owed for an internet records search service. The company filed suit with the local County Clerk's Office in January 2007. The pseudo-sanctuary was served, refused to respond or go to court, so the Judge ruled summarily for the plaintiff (company). The pseudo-sanctuary was, again, served notice of the judgment against them. In December 2007, the pseudo-sanctuary FINALLY paid the amount ordered by the Court, to include: original amount owed, plus interest (8.25%), legal fees, attorney fees, and court fees. The pseudo-sanctuary ended up paying about double which was originally owed -- approximately $7,000! This dollar amount was taken from the animals' mouths and used to pay for a frivolous service the directors purchased for no other reason than to serve their own needs – a record search internet service which was not animal-related in any way.
Oh, and remember, last year the directors gave themselves (with the blessing of the Board of course) a 150% salary increase!! The salary increase was more than enough to cover the cost of the overdue taxes and the frivolous company bill (before it went to court).
Needless to say, all this information was sent to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. Let see if these latest shenanigans got their attention!
On the plus side, a local Internet newspaper has been reporting the alleged activities of the pseudo-sanctuary on the web! I’ve learned his series of articles have quite a following amongst the animal rescue community and he has caught the eyes of the State and Federal agencies, plus the local media. Apparently, several people have come forward and provided him with information pertaining to their experiences with the pseudo-sanctuary. Some people are understandable angry (their animals are now dead of course) as they were promised life long wonderful care for their animals. Some people want to help, but are scared they will either lose their remaining animals if they speak out to the media or law enforcement. Some people want revenge. Some people want justice. And some people had such bad experiences they are afraid to speak out for fear they will be burned again.
I had no idea I would turn into a animal grief counselor when I started this investigation. Working with people, over the last 2+ years, whom have been lied to in the past and are now afraid to move forward in this case has been rather challenging. I cannot change what transpired in some one's past dealings with the pseudo-sanctuary--I cannot clear people's names (as there were many individuals discredited by the pseudo-sanctuary's directors and current staff, including myself) -- and I cannot promise people this case will resolve happily. All I can do is press forward--one day at a time--and pray the animals will receive the attention and care they so desperately need very soon. While I wish I could deal with all the emotions flying around this case - I have to remain steadfast to the cause - my main focus - the only reason why I started this entire investigation- to save the surviving animals. I'm not insensitive to peoples feelings, it's just I am only one person and there were a lot of hurt people out there wanting something from me I just am not capable of giving what everyone needs right now -- other than my promise that I will always be forthcoming and honest with each person and to make good on my promise not to give up on the animals. I believe I have earned the confidence of the current group of complainants whom had negative dealings with the pseud0-sanctuary directors. My main challenge now is trying to earn the confidence of the new “hurt” people joining the ranks of animal rescuers – and new “hurt” people seem to be joining the cause at a startling rate. Word is getting out that finally, progress is being made, and there is hope for the future. As we become a stronger, more confident group of people working hard to save the animals, it becomes almost impossible to ignore our pleas to remove the pseudo-sanctuary board of directors and instill a team dedicated to the health and welfare of all the sanctuary’s animals.
