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Robert Garcia's Statement
While BOD Robert Garcia is trying to rectify the situation those plans did not include if the search for the large amount of missing animals would continue. According to Vegas Friends of Guinea Pig Rescue:
78 rabbits are missing, 166 guinea pigs, 24 rats and 2 hamsters were MIA.
Garcia claims the board only became aware of the transfer of animals on August 31, more than three weeks after it happened; however the story of the large transfer was reported on various news outlets.
According to Garcia the Humane Society had successfully worked with Mr. Jones on small animal transfers on at least two previous occasions. It is highly concerning how many small animals have been sent to this snake breeding farm by the people who were entrusted with their lives.
Board of Directors fired Steve Farley and accepted the resignation of COO Christian Gonzalez. Garcia says this was due to their, "terribly negligent actions against the mission of the Humane Society and their failures to follow protocols among other reasons." While this is a step in the right direction, the fact that the board still claims they do not have enough evidence yet to say what ultimately became of the animals is unacceptable.
We the petitioners respectfully demand HSSA take responsibility in finding the missing animals by fully investigating the Jones brothers. Farley and Gonzalez intentionally and recklessly put over 318 animals in direct danger and they breached shelter protocol by sending the small animals to reptile breeders. Finding the animals should be the top priority of HSSA. According to HSSA’s website, their animal cruelty investigator works hand-in-hand with law enforcement yet there are no updates on the missing animals.
Colten Jones was called out by his own community on Facebook - who in fact do not support his unethical practices. Colten cannot adopt out animals because he is not a rescue, he is a snake breeder who sells small live prey animals for reptile food.
SDHS Update
Please continue to share the original petition,
For The Rabbits,
Linda Sue