This is the type of stuff that you never want to hear. The good and optimistic side of you struggles with the notion that crap like this actually goes on, but alas, it does. This time at the Rancho Cucamonga shelter and at the behest of their fairly new director, Veronica Fincher…

I first came across this situation back in September when someone sent me a video of a dog named Rosalinda. This video is literally one of the saddest things that you will ever see and serves as a prime example of how the reality for some of these shelter dogs is simply devastating. The uploading of this video onto YouTube apparently really pissed some of the staff there off and since that time they have illegally terminated 4 of their best and most experienced volunteers. Those axed from their freely donated positions for simply speaking out include a “Grand Volunteer of the City” award winner and the former coordinator for their 2011 Pit Bull grant from Best Friends Animal Society. Not that the shelter staff needs reminding, because they absolutely know, but retaliation against volunteers is unconstitutional. I sincerely hope that those affected do indeed take the appropriate legal actions.

I’ve personally spoken to a few of those in the know and they want the public to know about what is going on here. About how the essential programs are being cut and phased out. About how the playgroups are being stopped. About how offered help from volunteers is being ignored. About how volunteers are no longer “allowed” to take pictures or video at the shelter. About how certain dogs are never seeing the adoption floor. About how certain dogs spend over 23+ hours a day in travel crates in the hallway. And about how labels are being used to justify killing and to create false adoption numbers. Please take note! And also look for much more information coming soon…

In the mean time, if you’d like to let the Rancho Cucamonga City Council hear your voices please email: council@cityofrc.us

Godspeed to Rosalinda, Luna, Pam and the many others…