Several years ago, a popular TV series called “Numb3rs” explored how math is used in everyday life. The show focused on using math to solve crimes. But at SPCA Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, Florida, it’s being used to conceal killing.
The policies of former Humane Society of Indianapolis CEO Martha Boden have set up a familiar horror story and the people of Pinellas County are just now learning the truth thanks to the efforts of SPCA/TB Behind the Kennel Doors. One former volunteer, dear to the animals and the agency before Boden’s tenure, declares that SPCA/TB should now be called the Society for the Perpetuation of Cruelty to Animals.
Instead of caring for homeless pets, this once-vibrant agency has become a killing field where the CEO apparently finds fulfillment in manipulating numbers, animals, and people for self-promotion and satisfaction. Individuals and rescue organizations with the means to care for an SPCA animal needing medical or behavioral attention, and eager to foster that animal, are denied. Instead, the animal is killed.
All about the numbers
In a previous post we reported how Boden instituted
1. An appointment-only surrender policy to selectively choose more adoptable animals and
2. The practice of selectively importing more adoptable animals from out of state to enhance outcome numbers
Numbers look good to uninformed donors and board members. But these numbers represent lives.
Boden’s numbers represent achievement in dollars, adoration and “success”. The two do not have to be mutually exclusive, but for the SPCA/TB board and their CEO, apparently they are.
In a February 21 Tampa Bay news report, “Volunteers protest practices at SPCA Tampa Bay,” Boden responded to critics that her approach and policies are working, and that the proof is in lower intake and euthanasia numbers. Here’s why.
Since the new surrender-by-appointment policy turns animals away, unwanted pets wind up at the alternative receiving agency, Pinellas County Animal Services. Their chances of a live release there are 56%. The SPCA/TB boasts a 72% live release for 2013. From 2012 to 2013:
• Intake of owner-surrendered dogs at SPCA/TB was down 31% (-467)
• Intake of owner-surrendered dogs at PCAS was up 49% (+365)
• Transfer of more adoptable/attractive animals into SPCA/TB was up 210% (+373)
• Intake of owner-surrendered cats at SPCA/TB was down 20% (-581)
• Intake of owner-surrendered cats at PCAS was up 78% (679)
Follow the money
As if this callous manipulation of animals and numbers to artificially inflate the live release rate wasn’t enough, here are some numbers board members should especially appreciate. According to information provided to the City of Largo Commissioner’s Meeting by Joseph Ciccolini on 2/18/14 :
• Fundraising has become a top priority. Revenues are up 11.1%; contributions up 17.4%
• Revenue allocated to administrative costs has increased. Total salaries and employee expenses are up 10.9%; amounts going to specific manager salaries is up 85.5%. The CEO’s salary is $115,500
• Revenue allocated to animal care has decreased by 25.8%.
• The $573,144 value of volunteer service hours vanished when 35.8% of volunteers either left in frustration with management policies or were asked not to return
The share of total expenses going to employee and manager salaries has increased from 5.3% to 9.3%.
The share of total expenses going to animal care has decreased from 12.2% to 8.5%.
In summary:
• More money is coming in
• More money is being spent on employee and management salaries and benefits (including 3 weeks’ paid vacation)
• Fewer animals are being served
• Less money is going to fewer animals
As Mark Twain put it, “Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.”