C.V. Humane Society needs transparency

On July 2, The Gazette Editorial Board reported having met with leaders from the Cedar Valley Humane Society. The board expressed its disappointment in the non-profit's reluctance to provide transparency to the public in general and its donors in particular. Well, join the club.

In March, the Cedar Valley Humane Society Board of Directors was presented with a petition signed by 948 people that included signatures of local veterinarians, animal welfare and rescue organizations, and CVHS donors requesting transparency from the shelter's leadership. The petition was simply asking for information that might help them put to rest the rumors that persist about whether or not the CVHS is best utilizing its resources to improve the lives of the homeless animals in their care. It might have also put to rest the allegations that there has been and continues to be euthanasia of healthy adoptable animals simply for a lack of space.

People in our community expect the agencies they support to be open and honest regarding their policies and practices. These expectations are not unrealistic. The CVHS has a responsibility to this community - the people donating cash, in-kind services and goods and the volunteers giving of their time - to reestablish the CVHS as a trustworthy agency committed to the animals in its care and its fiduciary responsibility to its donors.

Sadly, the CVHS board has spurned all requests for disclosure and continues to thumb its nose at the very people responsible for keeping their doors open.

Doug Fuller

Marion