Where is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) when you need them? Here is a recent Facebook post from a prior LA Pound Volunteer who is trying to bring awareness to the Pound's killings and death row. They want to hide the facts that they are high kill when the LA Times buys into their lies that they are NO KILL. They'll do anything to hide the truth.

Below you will see the Facebook post. Below that post you'll see the recent Memo to volunteers.

Facebook Post...
Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?! LAAS is not about the protection of animal welfare, its concern has always been about protecting its own image, interest and its employees. It has never, nor will it ever be about the animals. We had high hopes for the new manager, but after a year, she left and we are back to Brenda’s team, Ms Ramirez is now bumped up.

LAAS just released this “social media posting guidelines” to the volunteers. Take notice that there’s nothing about how to how THEY can do better to network the animals. Nor is there anything about how they can better protect the volunteers from the hostile, toxic environment they continue to uphold, and allow staff to harass volunteers.

LAAS doesn’t want to be associated with words such as “pound”, “kill”, or “death row”, but what are they going to do to make sure that they stop operating the shelters like a pound and stop killing animals? Nothing other than gag volunteers.

LAAS has a documented history of allowing abusive behavior against volunteers. However, they are also excellent at controlling the narrative and telling volunteers not to bully or harass. Hmm… it’s the other way around. They condone employees calling volunteers “assholes” or slamming door on volunteers, trying to grab their cell phones, making physical hitting motions behind their back, screaming at the top of their lungs; etc. to the point that volunteers had to call LAPD for help while at the shelter. All the while, their upper management is able to make bold faced lies about reason for terminating volunteers in Commissioners meetings and in Department emails for all to hear and see, and yet there are no consequences. Never any consequences because the commissioners are rubber stampers for Mayor Garcetti.

Volunteers are held to a higher, more strict standard and guideline. And mind you, volunteers work for free.

LAAS wants to dictate the narrative and massage the facts into something palatable for them. It’s willingness to go to great lengths and pay hundreds of dollars for PR tells you everything you need to know about it’s priority- it’s only concerned about its image and animal welfare is not their priority.

The Memo posted by LA Animal Services

Social Media & Memo Posting Guidelines
This policy is designed to protect individuals and Los Angeles Animal Services, to ensure any references to LAAS are factually correct and do not breach confidentiality requirements, and to ensure that all LAAS volunteers and staff are treated with respect. Failure to follow this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal from the volunteer corps.

* Posts are to refrain from using language such as "death row" or "pound" or "kill." This language serves to drive away investment in the shelter and makes potential adopters fearful of visiting our campus.

* "Social media" is defined as websites and application that are enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking, including, but not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Snap Chat and Tik Tok.

* Regarding animals that may be associated with an investigation or consider evidence, LAAS volunteers may not share information that has not been publicly released through the official LAAS Facebook page, LAAS Website, Volgistics or Foster and Rescue emails. Once information has been shared officially, volunteers are encouraged to share that information.

* A respectful tone is important when referring to past or current LAAS staff, volunteers, customers and partners. Derogatory or threatening speech, name calling, etc. will not be tolerated. 

* Any communication between employees and/or volunteers that would be considered inappropriate in a workplace (i.e., sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying, etc.) is also prohibited for online communication. 

* Staff names are not to be used in behavioral memos or social media posts.

* LAAS reserves the right to remove inappropriate posting on its official social media platforms and databases.

* LAAS does not monitor non-affiliated social media sites. When content in these sites would otherwise violate the standards on LAAS social media and this content is brought to the attention of leadership, we reserve the right to take appropriate follow-up action to and including the termination of volunteer status.