03/30/2025
So, in an attempt to create some regular features on this page; including adoption posts, posts detailing the various services at UCC, posts about our adoption hopefuls, I plan to devote this space in Saturday nights to topical essays on issues in Rescue generally or UCC particularly...
Tonight's discussion relates to Transparency in Rescue, and thereby identifying Rescues that line up with your beliefs as a donor/supporter or volunteer. You want your time, your efforts and your money to further a Cause you are both correctly and proudly standing behind.
The past decade has seen a massive proliferation in Rescue operations. On one hand, this is good as there has long been a massive proliferation of animals in need of Rescue intervention. On the other hand, this is bad, because the advent of social media as advertising, as messaging and the growing empathy of a population that responds to tragedy shared has led to realization from some that collected tax-free donations can be an enormous financial windfall if misused...and the rapid fire chase of a viral post that triggers such windfalls has created an almost torture-porn esque pursuit of an attention -grabbing story.
The greater the suffering of the subject, the greater the response from the public- when 99% of the animals in Rescue are just as deserving, just a phenomenal, but they lack the headline to stir the sympathy or even the notice of the internet.
The ASPCA realized this long before social media leveled the playing field a bit- they monetized our heartstrings with the mournful chorus we all know so well, paired with pictures of puppies in chains; creating the myth that a donation to them somehow trickled down to your local shelter. But it didn't. In fact, according to recent statistics, 97% of revenue earned by the ASPCA isn't even spent on direct care of the animals- it's why their CEO earns $7,000,000,000 annually.
Do you donate to the ASPCA so it's CEO can afford penthouse apartments and vacations at the proverbial White Lotus resort? Or do you donate to get that puppy off the chain?
More recently, the Asher House has experienced a meteoric rise in prominence, due in part to a charismatic and good looking leading man persona front and center on countless viral videos.
I've been tagged, along with him, in a thousand pleas for help from across the web. His marketing videos seemed to present an almost mythical haven for dogs, the model we should all emulate; if only we all had the money from a career in finance and viral crowdfunding to back us. The image he displays, relying heavily on dog social groups, pack walks and boundless property is, in fact, similar to UCC's structure, but we lack the financial benefactor, the vast acreage, and frankly, after 20 years in kennels instead of the gym, I don't look quite as good with my shirt off.
But cracks emerged, as the always do, in his growing legend. 'justice for Chevy' posts circulated. Testimonial from board members and employees shredding his image as presented. Footage of kennels where most dogs live, a far cry from his pristine home featured in dozens of reels, or the joyful pack walks he posts regularly. Stories of dog fights, severe injuries, lack of medical care, and misuse of donor funds to finance expansive private properties.
Is all of that true? On the one hand, every Rescue doubtless has disgruntled employees staining their reputation whenever they can. I have made my share of enemies over 25 years, some I know full well spread lies about me, about Jamie, about UCC. On the other hand, many of those disparaging the Asher House seem to be bringing actual receipts, rather than relying on anecdotal stories hatched after they have been fired.
Do you donate to the Asher House so Lee can buy a bigger mansion?
For my part, I hope Asher is legitimate, his explanations truthful and his cause just, but the amount of smoke suggests there may be a fire- and this is why, while I applaud wealthy donors driven to effect change in this Cause, it remains virtually important to employ and respect medical and behavior experts in the field- rather than inserting yourself as a novice cosplaying as an expert. It's dangerous.
Donor dollars are the literal lifeblood of nonprofit work. And each dollar wasted on a fraudulent cause, or each dollar wasted on a high CEO salary is a dollar NOT spent in the trenches, not spent drafting a new life for that sad-eyed and nameless dog weighed down by a chain too heavy for their little neck- a dollar not spent giving that dog a name, giving them a HOME.
I'd go a step further- a donor dollar spent on CEO luxuries is in fact a dollar stolen from the animals that need it, the animals it was meant for, the life it was meant to save.
So my admonition to you, my advice to you all, is to seek out the Rescue local to you. Ask questions. A transparent rescue will not hesitate to discuss it's policies on intake, on adoption, on euthanasia, on employee compensation. A transparent rescue would provide its financial reports, if requested, which would detail salaries, and expenditures or flagship programs or unrelated benefits.
Meet the personnel. What expertise do they have to occupy their positions?
Meet the dogs. Watch for how the dogs respond to their handlers. Dogs will tell you a story no carefully edited Facebook reel can touch, they will tell you a story far more honest than can be found in the walls of the shiniest facility, or coming from the mouth of the sharply dressed PR spokesperson.
Donate to the orgs that exist in the trenches. That's where the past for these dogs is made history and the future is made bright, not to some crook half a country away editing his latest Reel from the deck of his yacht.
Thanks for listening.
Ulster County Canines is a Non-Profit Dog shelter, and Adoption center. Ulster County Canines offers
