In 2015, the operation of the Humane Society of Allen County was taken over by an organization known as the Ohio SPCA, located in Grove City, Ohio. In taking over the operation, the new management claimed the takeover to be a move in a positive direction. According to an article posted on November 7, 2015 in the Lima News, Executive Director of the Ohio SPCA, Teresa Landon claimed “It’s very positive,” “It’s a win-win situation for this humane society.”
According to the article, Landon proposed that “the new board will restructure the humane society, make changes, add programs and potentially even change its name”. “Though changes will be made, services and programs will only be added, not taken away, and the mission of the shelter will stay the same” she said.
The observation of the shelter over the last few years is that she has not followed through. This is not a win-win for our community. There have been minimal, if any, programs added and the shelter offers very little to the community under the Ohio SPCA management.
The Ohio SPCA is a non-profit organization which is to be operated by a Board of Directors. Unfortunately, it appears that the Ohio SPCA Board is dysfunctional. This dysfunction has impacted the operation of the shelter and has led to decisions made in contrary to the best interest of the animals. The Board leadership exhibits a lack of transparency with the public, apparent conflicts of interest, and conflicting agendas. They are not willing to add more local community members to the board, who could help with implementing programs, fundraising and grant-writing. They have not been open to making changes to better serve Allen County. The current board seems to allow favoritism and bullying. They have turned their backs on dedicated and passionate management that have been hired throughout the years. These employees are forced out when changes and programs are suggested and questions asked. The hired managers are allowed to know minimal of the workings of the shelter and are often kept in the dark about important information that management should be aware of. This has been the routine for years and the reason there have been numerous managers that have come and gone since the Ohio SPCA took over in 2015.
Due to the apparent mismanagement, the Ohio SPCA is again without a humane agent. This is desperately needed in our community and per Ohio Revised Code 1707.05, the agent is to be employed by a Humane Society. They recently employed a dedicated, top notch officer who was coming down on animal abusers in Allen County and holding them accountable. He was forced out, like so many of those before him. The Ohio SPCA leaves these dedicated people who care about our community animals and the shelter no choice but to leave. They feel they are unable to perform their jobs any longer due to the hostile work environment, lack of support, and ceased communication from board members and staff.
The Executive Director, Teresa Landon, does not live in Allen County and has not been to our shelter in several years. Instead, she allegedly operates an animal sanctuary in an “undisclosed location in central Ohio” where she also lives.
We want the removal of the Ohio SPCA and their board from our facility and want people in charge who will add and keep much needed programs to protect the animals of Allen County. We want a board that is transparent with how donations are being spent. We want a board that is energized to make changes to better care for our animals in Allen County, and not wasted on egos and power struggles.