Home » Op-Ed/Letters » Reader and long-time cat advocate and rescuer takes issue with HDHS handling of Cat House

Reader and long-time cat advocate and rescuer takes issue with HDHS handling of Cat House

The 9-22-24 High Desert Humane Society raid on the Cat Rescue building was unwarranted and needlessly aggressive. Regardless of any financial constraints or reasons known only to HDHS, the transfer of cats to the new location was conducted with calculated cruelty, divesting Director Sylvia Smith of her job, banishing her and her son Daniel from all HDHS properties and prohibiting her from any inclusion in decisions regarding future care of the cats, many of whom she had bottle fed and raised. 

Sylvia is the Patron Saint of Cats, accomplishing more in two years than any of her predecessors. She is knowledgeable and devoted to her job, which is demanding, daunting, and often heartbreaking. She, Daniel and their dependable volunteer team have been a lifeline to homeless cats. Their spay-neuter efforts would have reduced the local unwanted cat population in the foreseeable future, transporting up to 40 cats weekly for surgeries. These were rescues, ferals and companion cats from the public. Even though many surgeries were performed free of charge, HDHS shut down this effort. Sylvia’s position was complicated by on-going harassment and intimidation from a menacing board member who has a history of creating a hostile work environment. Her priority is power. 

It is assumed that a humane society would meet the highest standard of humanity, civility, respect, and appreciation for those willing to work on behalf of animals. Sylvia and Daniel were discarded as heartlessly as unwanted throw-away cats. Under the present leadership and regime, HDHS has become a renegade bully brigade.

Laurie Manzano

 

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