Transparency will rebuild trust

A year after changes in leadership, the Cedar Valley Humane Society seems to be getting a lot of things right.

We heard a lot of positive news from the agency when leaders met with our editorial board this week. They described a more businesslike approach to management and other changes that will serve the area well.

And we were glad to hear of the organization's renewed focus on outreach and education, their dedication to training for staff and addition of veterinary expertise. All of those efforts will further the humane society's ability to promote animal welfare in Eastern Iowa.

But we're concerned about the board's continued reluctance to routinely disclose data such as euthanasia numbers. And we're disappointed the board has yet to discuss ideas for collaboration on animal services with the City of Cedar Rapids. Clearly, there is more work to do.

Especially after last year's tumult, transparency is what's needed to help build broad public and donor trust.

And it just makes sense for the organization to discuss partnerships that will help the humane society fulfill its mission - to fight animal abuse, cruelty and overpopulation and help build healthy relationships between people and animals throughout the region.

The Cedar Valley Humane Society is an open admission animal shelter - accepting all animals regardless of their health or temperament. It provides services for all of Linn County except for Cedar Rapids and Marion, often it is the shelter of last resort for the animals in its service area.

Last fall, the shelter's executive board fired two co-directors and other staff members without any public explanation, leaving the shelter so short-staffed that they had to dramatically reduce their open hours to the public.

Much of the controversy centered on the shelter's euthanasia practices. Some former employees alleged the shelter was euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals - something board members said just wasn't true.

But distrust persisted, rumors were rampant, and relationships were damaged. Clients and donors were left in the dark.

And because of the controversy, the shelter's ability to do business was compromised.

When Zach Melton was hired as executive director last October, he set about the process of rebuilding that trust, telling a reporter: “You can't change the past. What you can do is focus on what got us there and how do we make sure it doesn't happen again.”

Collaboration and communication are two important tools he and other humane society leaders must use to make sure that it doesn't.

There have been a lot of good, productive changes in recent months at the Cedar Valley Humane Society.

We hope to see more in the future.