Plenty of Work for Both Humane Society and Critics

The abused and abandoned animals of Ventura County are lucky to have so many people so eager to help them out.

It’s a shame that their well-meaning human protectors have spent the past few weeks fighting like cats and dogs for that privilege.

Last week a challenge to management of the Ventura County Humane Society, the area’s oldest and largest private animal-aid organization, came to a head at a crowded and impassioned meeting in Camarillo. Members of the nonprofit group approved new bylaws giving more control to its board of directors, which some critics felt had too much control already.

The power struggle is one of several issues that have split the Ojai-based organization recently, distracting from the never-ending work of rescuing, housing and seeking homes for animals.

Some of the concerns raised by the critics seem to be the fault of poor public relations, the kind of misunderstandings that flare up when a tight circle of insiders feels threatened by emotional challenges from outsiders.

But others appear to warrant a closer look, if only to reinforce the confidence of the public agencies that rely on the Humane Society’s expertise and the citizens who support it with donations. These include:

* Finances: A history of haphazard bookkeeping and ineffective communication has left uncertainty about the group’s cash flow and fiscal strategy.

Tax records show the Humane Society had nearly $3 million in reserves at the end of 1996, yet the organization reports monthly deficits of $20,000 or more in operating expenses and a badly needed spay/neuter clinic remains unbuilt. If the goal is to create an endowment to fund future operations, that sensible strategy hasn’t been explained to the society’s 1,000 members or other potential contributors.

An attorney hired by the Humane Society to help bring it into compliance with laws governing nonprofits says it is working to improve its bookkeeping. An outside review would give a stamp of approval to these efforts.

* Police powers: Critics say the group’s enforcement officers do their work with too much gusto and too little oversight.

Under a 1915 law, humane societies may appoint officers with the authority to wear police-style uniforms and badges and conduct criminal investigations. In Ventura County, humane officers have served search warrants, raided homes and confiscated pets. The Humane Society works closely with the county to investigate cases of animal cruelty and with the district attorney’s office in prosecuting them. The state Legislature tightened restrictions on humane officers after a 1994 Times series detailed their wide-ranging powers and potential for abuse.

* Secrecy: Critics say the group’s leaders are suspiciously secretive about their bylaws, minutes, finances, even their identities. When Ojai City Councilwoman Suza Francina attended a September board meeting to voice the concerns of some of her constituents, board members would not even tell her their names.

Thursday’s vote, which gave current board members the right to appoint their successors and took away members’ right to vote directly on future group decisions, is a step away from democracy that confirms the organization’s aversion to openness and change. In defense, Humane Society officials questioned the motives of their critics, calling the challenges a hostile takeover attempt by newcomers to the 65-year-old organization.

A “mission statement” read to the board by the critics urged “a more open, user-friendly and out-reaching organization.” We believe the Humane Society would attract wider support if it heeded that advice.

No one seriously questions whether leaders, staff and volunteers of the Humane Society love animals, work hard and perform many important tasks. For 65 years their contributions to Ventura County have been vital. We support their continued good works.

Yet an official review of the group’s books and policies would help restore the public’s faith. The state attorney general’s office, which regulates nonprofit organizations through its Registry of Charitable Trusts, should conduct one.

Meanwhile, critics who truly want to help the county’s needy animals should pull on their jeans and volunteer at the animal shelter. There’s plenty of work to be done there--enough for everyone.