As reported yesterday by several local news outlets, Rockland Green officially severed ties with the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center‘s board of directors – amidst allegations of financial mismanagement and contract breaches. A recent outbreak of feline panleukopenia virus claimed the lives of over 30 cats.
Four Legs Good, a nonprofit cat rescue organization – will serve as the new steward of the Shelter. This group functions from the South Mountain Road residence of the late Dr. Martha “Bobby” MacGuffie. From Friday morning onwards, the daily operations of the shelter will be managed by Nixie Gueits, the founder of Four Legs Good and a former Hi-Tor board member, alongside Michael Sanducci, who previously served as a director at Hi-Tor.
Immediate Donations Needed
In the wake of major changes at the Hi-Tor Animal Shelter, there’s an immediate and pressing need for community support. Departing members from the Hi-Tor team have reportedly taken all supplies, leaving the shelter desperately requiring donations. Here’s a list of urgently needed items:
- Non-clumping cat litter
- Bleach
- Clean linens
- Contractor bags
- Cat carriers
- Fancy Feast kitten food (wet)
- Friskies dry and wet adult cat food
- Purina Pro Plan dry dog food (salmon, small dog, and large dog)
- Purina Pro Plan wet dog food (beef and venison – no chicken)
- Martingale collars (no clip) – all sizes
- Cat treats
- Dog treats
- Milk Bone (soft treats, gravy, and regular)
- Dog crates (30 inch or larger)
- Toys
- Litter scoops
- Poop bags
- Slip leads
Donations can be dropped off at: Hi-Tor Animal Shelter 65 Firemen’s Memorial Dr Pomona, NY 10970. Monetary donations can be made by visiting the Four Legs Good website.
A History of Mismanagement
The current concerns raised against Hi-Tor include multiple failures, most notably in their response to an outbreak of feline panleukopenia, a contagious and often fatal cat disease. Numerous cats fell victim to the illness shortly after arriving at the shelter. Rockland Green claims the Hi-Tor team failed to disclose this outbreak timely, leading to further spread.
For years, financial mismanagement has been a major sticking point. Despite receiving a $1.4 million budget from Rockland Green, Hi-Tor allegedly did not utilize the funds effectively. By the end of March, an unspent amount exceeding $100,000 was noted, yet the shelter was still $500k over budget. Howard Phillips of Rockland Green highlighted that even with vacant positions at the shelter, Hi-Tor was not hiring the needed staff, despite having funds to do so.
Replacing Hi-Tor in the management of the facility is the nonprofit group, Four Legs Good, led by Nixie Gueits and Michael Sanducci, both former affiliates of Hi-Tor. Gueits, in her recent statement, emphasized her commitment to the animals and shared plans to reintegrate the community with the shelter.
The sudden change has not come without its fair share of criticisms. Brett Yagel, the recently ousted executive director of Hi-Tor, challenges the legality of Rockland Green’s decision. Rick Tannenbaum, who was let go from Hi-Tor earlier this year and also serves as business development director for Rockland Biz Journal, has also voiced criticism about Rockland Green’s expedient termination of the Hi-Tor Board. Tannenbaum wrote an op-ed on the publication criticizing the organization.
As the Hi-Tor Animal Shelter navigates these changes and challenges, the community’s support has never been more crucial to ensure the well-being of the animals in its care. To get involved, download this list of items to donate to the shelter, or visit https://www.fourlegsgoodnynj.org/donate.html