Links are live - Justice for 318

Here is a sample letter, use it if you agree or write your own opinions and send to the members of the SDHS Board of Trustees, Gary Weitzman, and CA politicians. Copy all the email addresses below.

Email Addresses:
Mike17green@gmail.com, Grippnyc@netscape.net, Irmaieg@gmail.com, Bockoff@gmail.com, D-anne@cox.net, assemblymember.rendon@assembly.ca.gov, gweitzman@sdhumane.org

Letter:
Dear members of the Board,

I am writing about the 323 small animals the San Diego Humane Society transported to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona on August 7, 2023. 

Based on the recent findings, it is clear that Gary Weitzman, CEO, and Jessica Des Lauriers, COO, are not fulfilling their job descriptions. They have let the San Diego community down and they are not living up the the SDHS mission statement to “Create a more humane world by inspiring compassion, providing hope and advancing the welfare of animals and people.” In the case of the 323 small pets, they have failed their goals of success to “Advance Animal Welfare” and “Support a Healthy Community.” 

Gary Weitzman and Jessica Des Lauriers did not follow the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement - Companion Animal Transport Model Practices, which was drafted by a former SDHS Vice President and set the industry standards. The mixed species of animals were stacked seven carriers high, multiple rows deep and multiple rows across, which did not allow them to be checked as outlined in the standards. The carriers were also touching the walls of the truck and carrier doors were facing each other, also violating the standards. Some of the carriers were covered with towels that blocked air flow. Upon arrival in Tucson, the animals were not taken into the facility at HSSA nor were they vet checked upon arrival. Baby animals 3 days old, animals that were unfixed and unvaccinated and a pregnant animal was on the transport.

The animals were in carriers for 11.5 hours on the first leg of the transport and were not able to be checked on individually. In total, by timelines given by both humane societies, the animals were in carriers for a total of 18.5 hours which is detrimental to their welfare. The transport did not follow Fear Free methods as claimed. Additionally, Jessica and Gary did not even have the total number of animals transported until they did a “through audit” weeks later. This is a disgrace to the very standards the SDHS prides themselves on setting. 

Furthermore, the AAWA document states it is a collective responsibility of both the sender and receiver of the animals to ensure the welfare of the animals. “All source and destination agencies must be 501 (C) 3 agencies or municipal organizations.” Had the animals been taken in to HSSA and then transported to rescues not fitting this description, the onus would be on HSSA. That was not the case. Jessica moved these animals directly from the SDHS rental truck onto HSSA vans to be taken to a rescue that was not vetted, which turned out to be a snake breeder who sells small animals to be used as live food, inhumanely killed and frozen, or be used for breeding as future food. She failed to follow through on her responsibilities. Jessica did nothing to stop this betrayal, blatantly lied to staff and the public, and she planned this out with Christian Gonzalez step by step. 

In the agreement between the City of San Diego and the San Diego Humane Society
Page 7 of 16
“Whenever possible the Contractor shall conduct animal transfers to rescue
partners, including non-profit animal rescue or adoption organizations, and in
accordance with established criteria and guidelines”.

323 animals were not sent to non-profit animal rescue or adoption organizations; upon arrival at HSSA they were sent directly to Colten Jones a snake breeder/owner of The Fertile Turtle in the middle of the night.  At no time did Jessica or Gary follow the contract agreement when they failed to vet Jones as a real rescue. 

Lastly, Gary Weitzman and Jessica Des Lauriers failed to respond to public concerns on August 26, 2023, and simply stated, “We feel pretty confident we can help get this sorted out,” when community members expressed concerns about these animals possibly going to a reptile breeder. Their delay in action cost additional animals, who are known to still be alive at this point, their lives. I am demanding that the board take action and fire Gary Weitzman, who was ultimately responsible for overseeing this transport, and remove Jessica Des Lauries, whose actions demonstrate incompetence, from their leadership positions at San Diego Humane Society due to their failing the tax payers of San Diego and not living up to the organizations mission.

Thank you,