09/03/2023
LET PURSUIT LIVE
Let Pursuit LIVE
Many of you have seen news stories about Pursuit, but even though the dog is temporarily safe because of volunteers and the community, the time has come to make real changes at the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA).
[**Protesters gather to oppose HSHA scheduled euthanasia of dog, Pursuit**](https://theburgnews.com/news/protestors-gather-to-oppose-humane-society-of-the-harrisburg-areas-scheduled-euthanasia-of-dog)
# # # We urge the HSHA Board of Directors to replace Ms. Amy Kaunas with new and effective leadership.
The swell of anger and dissatisfaction from volunteers and staff โ both current and former - toward Ms. Kaunas cannot be ignored. While Ms. Kaunas is predictably trying to explain this away as being from โdisgruntledโ employees and volunteers, these individuals have dedicated significant time to animal welfare and have firsthand experience and knowledge of HSHA operations.
The average tenure for a non-profit Executive Director is six years. Ms. Kaunas has been in her role for 17 years. Over the years, we have seen that she has lost the confidence and respect of the Harrisburg community at large and many donors. We believe her leadership style no longer has a place at HSHA. We made every effort to try to ensure everything in this petition is factual. Here are just a few areas of great concern:
# # # ANIMAL WELFARE โ With poor policies, severe understaffing, and firing of long-term volunteers, the animals suffer
โช๏ธ Dog kennels are often left with p**p for many hours without any cleanup.
โช๏ธ For many, many months, dogs were only getting walked once every few days, and the walks were often for less than 20 minutes. Dogs have been visibly stressed and are no longer given the enrichment opportunities to go offsite with volunteers to decompress.
โช๏ธ Ignoring varying caloric needs, most cats, regardless of size, are directed to be fed only one-half cup of dry food once per day plus a little canned food sporadically. In addition, per management, โAny volunteers feeding the cats wet food in any area (except for kittens) will be dismissed on the spot.โ
โช๏ธ Assistance from outside rescue organizations and behavioral specialists has been rejected.
# # # QUESTIONABLE USE OF ASSETS - Ms. Kaunas resides on a 5-acre farm in Perry County which is owned by HSHA. However, it appears that Ms. Kaunas receives most of the benefits.
โช๏ธ House on the farm was renovated based on Ms. Kaunasโ specifications.
โช๏ธ Swimming pool was installed presumably for the benefit of all HSHA staff. However, most have rarely seen it.
โช๏ธ The farm appears to be underutilized over the years other than providing Ms. Kaunasโ comfortable residence.
# # # LACK OF TRANSPARENCY โ Ms. Kaunas seems to believe that the less information shared with the community, including the staff, the better.
โช๏ธ In addition to horses housed at the Perry County farm, other horses have been stabled at other facilities at a great expense. The associated farm and external stable costs have never been and continue not to be shared. This lack of transparency is a great disservice to donors.
โช๏ธ IRS Form 990 is inaccessible through the HSHA website, and no annual report is provided.
โช๏ธ Unlike York and Lehigh shelters, no data is readily available on save-rate statistics.
โช๏ธ Policies are inconsistently followed with no explanation.
# # # TOXIC CULTURE - The HSHA workplace has been considered toxic and punitive for many years, with the attitude that โeveryone is expendableโ communicated by Ms. Kaunas herself.
โช๏ธ Many of HSHAโs long-tenured volunteers as well as staff have quit or been fired.
โช๏ธ Volunteers are fired for speaking up for the animals.
โช๏ธ Staff and volunteers have been ignored or reprimanded after making even simple suggestions on how to improve the operation. In fact, a volunteer offered to pay for a full engineering plan to install air conditioning in the dog kennels with the understanding that significant monies would be forthcoming. Ms. Kaunas rejected the offer. More than one offer has been made to upgrade the dishwasher/sterilizer at no cost to HSHA, but those offers were also rejected by Ms. Kaunas.
The HSHA Board of Directors has a reputation in some circles for being personally approved by Ms. Kaunas and unwilling to act independently. However, we can see that the Board has a wealth of experience, and many have been actively involved in the betterment of the Greater Harrisburg Community.
# # # We need new executive leadership NOW before the reputation of HSHA is irreparably harmed. THE BOARD MUST ACT ON WHAT IS BEST FOR THE ANIMALS, NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR MS. KAUNAS.
Even the City of Harrisburgโs local newspaper editorial is demanding change
[**Patriot-News Editorial: The Harrisburg Humane Society needs to restore community trust after the crisis over Pursuit**](https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2023/02/the-harrisburg-humane-society-needs-to-restore-community-trust-after-the-crisis-over-pursuit-pennlive-editorial.html)
# # # JOIN THE OUTCRY: Tell the HSHA Board of Directors that we need new and effective executive leadership for the sake of the animals.
For additional information (may need to sign in for the free article), see:
[**Pennlive News article: Furor over plan to euthanize dog unleashes complaints about humane society of Harrisburg"**](https://www.pennlive.com/news/2023/02/furor-over-plan-to-euthanize-dog-unleashes-complaints-about-humane-society-of-harrisburg.html)
https://www.change.org/p/for-the-sake-of-the-animals-demand-new-executive-leadership-at-humane-society-harrisburg
