I got feedback from the SPCA about the photo of the cat cages on the AAS web site. Amongst other things, the shelter superintendent told me firmly that no one is allowed back there. This was spoken righteously, with no thought of accountability! It seems there's a lot that no one is allowed to know about the SPCA. I recall hearing that management salaries could not be disclosed to anyone, and once I learned what Doug Hooper had been making I could see why! It seems plain to me that the secrecy is not to protect the animals, employees or public. The bureaucracy is protecting itself. But I can barely believe that an organization of this size can exist in our midst, collecting and spending large sums of money without being held accountable by anyone at all.

I was also told that the SPCA is formulating a policy that will see volunteers banned if they publicly complain about the SPCA. I would completely support that policy if an organization is helping animals and a volunteer hinders that work. But when a volunteer complains with cause and in a reasonable voice, having gone through all the levels of authority internally, then banning the volunteer for speaking publicly would be a blatant indicator of the SPCA's true priorities.