Athena Jreij
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Three volunteers at the Desert Hot Springs Animal Care and Control facility reached out to News Channel 3 alleging they were let go from their positions without reason.
Speaking with News Channel 3 under the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, the volunteers say they worry about the direction of the shelter since the city took over management from the Humane Society of the Desert in January 2024.
Those volunteers allege within the past six months, several volunteers have been let go or walked away from their positions. They now worry what this could mean for dogs who are cared for by volunteer staff.
One woman who still has her job as a volunteer but is friends with those fired, sat down with News Channel 3 to speak anonymously.
She says these firings will hurt the animals, who rely on volunteers for daily walks, interaction and social media posts that promote adoption.
“It’s just heartbreaking that they would let them go when they’ve done so much. It makes you sad because these animals really need them,” she said.
Some volunteers who run social media pages advertising adoptable dogs, say the issues began when the city wanted more control over the content. Others say it started when they raised concerns over kennel conditions.
“We got an email saying that from now on, everything will go through the, the coordinator at the shelter and that we were not to post anything … Some dogs didn’t have water. Some dogs were being doubled up with maybe the improper dogs. We didn’t have dogs in the shaded area. We didn’t have misters.”
Earlier this year, all volunteers signed a waiver stating they could be released from their position at any time without reason.
The city has claimed new protocols in place didn’t align with volunteers, but one woman says they felt they were treated disrespectfully by new management.
“As a volunteer, we should feel that we are working together for these animals. It’s not a battle. It shouldn’t be a battle between us.”
While the volunteers say they’ll move on and look for other ways to support animals, they worry about dogs still at Animal Care and Control.
“It’s really unfortunate because the only ones suffering right now are the, the the animals. The cats and the dogs. The main thing they said to me is help Trish and help Barney and help so many other dogs get seen and get out,” our anonymous interview said.
News Channel 3 reached out to multiple Desert Hot Springs officials for interviews, but was told they were unavailable. In a statement, they said:
“The City has undergone significant restructuring efforts at our animal shelter and sanctuary over the past few months. Our primary goal has been to enhance the quality of care for the animals in our facilities while promoting a more professional atmosphere for our team and volunteers.
To achieve this, we have implemented a series of new processes and policies designed to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. This includes the addition of more staff and the hiring of contractors dedicated to supporting and encouraging animal adoption and rescue initiatives.
In conjunction with these changes, we are excited to announce the creation of a comprehensive volunteer program. This program includes clearly defined duties and responsibilities, along with a detailed overview that outlines our mission, principles, and expectations for all volunteers. We believe that a well-structured volunteer program is essential for fostering a positive environment that aligns with our values.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a professional atmosphere, we have made the difficult decision to release several volunteers whose values did not align with our mission. We wish these individuals the best in their future endeavors, but we must prioritize what is best for our City and its operations.
I am pleased to report that all our animals are currently well cared for, happy, healthy, and thriving, which remains our top priority. To further demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability, we regularly showcase our animal adoption outcomes on the City’s social media pages. These updates reflect the positive results of our efforts and the dedication of our team and volunteers.
We remain committed to the highest standards of animal care and appreciate the community’s continued support as we move forward.”
News Channel 3 hopes to sit down with officials once changes are made. Stick with us as we continue to follow this story.
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