It seems that Best Friends is willing to try ANYTHING but the very obvious solution of reducing the birthrates through spay and neuter. If affordable spaying and neutering became widely available through generous funding (which Best Friends could certainly provide) pet overpopulation would quickly begin to decline. Shelters would become less crowded, and animal control budgets could be shifted to maintaining spay and neuter programs, because the thing about spay/neuter (or other sterilization techniques, if they become available) is that they absolutely need to be ongoing. They are not high-profile extravaganzas that grab attention and bring in bucks, but they are the true no-kill solution.
Jennifer, the truth may be more sinister. During the years 1990-2010 the USA experienced an 80% decline in euthanasia due to a focus on low and no-cost s/n programs. It was then, when no-kill seemed within reach that BFAS, ASPCA and others deprioritized s/n and reversed all that progress.
“Friendly, adoptable animals in high-intake shelters are being euthanized because of overcrowding, while unsocialized animals from rural shelters are prioritized to meet Best Friends’ metrics.” I hope Los Angeles elected officials takes note and develops policies to prevent Best Friends from importing rural dogs—particularly livestock guardian breeds—into urban areas. After adopting one myself, I’ve learned how challenging these breeds can be in non-rural settings. The low euthanasia rates in rural areas often mask a harsh reality: owners frequently resort to shooting these dogs when they don’t meet expectations. Best Friends also seems to lack a commitment to proper spay/neuter education, transporting dogs from areas without such programs into Los Angeles, exacerbating local issues.
There are allegations that Best Friends was importing animals into the LA Mission Hills Shelter in violation of their contract with the City. There really needs to be an audit of this organization's involvement in LA, but City Officials are unresponsive to any strategy that would actually help the animals under their charge.
I know the Sanctuary has been through a “changing of the guard” so to speak. The original group who started in AZ and then moved to Utah are up there in age and seem to have passed the administrative control to a new generation. I know the surviving members of the original group live on the Sanctuary grounds (at least they used to when I volunteered there). Are they on board with this pivot? It seems so different than the direction they were going 15-20 years ago.
Hi Bananies, like you, I was involved with the first generation of BFAS, whom I don't think would recognize today's leaders much less endorse them. But, as the say, silence is complicity...
I've been told over and over "They were a great organization 20 years ago, but have lost their way. Be careful about badmouthing them, as they are highly litigious and have deep funds to destroy you." So, Ed, thank you for your courage in shining a light on how truly awful they are. We all need to write to their big corporate sponsors and ask them to redirect funds to local rescues who are doing the real work of helping animal. And, continue to spread the word. Until funding goes down, Best Friends does not seem interested in changing their policies.
Another factor that is overlooked, these people collect some pretty hefty change, people who make money off the backs of animals are not motivated to help them and solve the problem. Why would they risk their hefty paychecks and perks. This is coroprate greed in the animal rescue world.
BF is desperate and being kicked out everywhere. After witnessing what they did to the communities in the RGV in Texas, I am convinced they are a cult and have zero interest in helping animals. It’s all about numbers and money. They prey on the uniformed animal lover in the worst way. They defraud the public and misappropriate donor and tax payer money. This is illegal and hopefully the AG will get involved at some point. Their donors have a great case for getting their donations back! They thought they were donating to “save them all” but instead they donated to “DUMP THEM ALL” and high salaries. They are the biggest con in the animal space I know and should be removed from the animal world so we can start real change. Education and spay neuter is a good start!
This brings to mind something I recently read: "If you want to understand how to fix a problem, you have to ask who is profiting from the problem, not who is suffering from it."
It seems that Best Friends is willing to try ANYTHING but the very obvious solution of reducing the birthrates through spay and neuter. If affordable spaying and neutering became widely available through generous funding (which Best Friends could certainly provide) pet overpopulation would quickly begin to decline. Shelters would become less crowded, and animal control budgets could be shifted to maintaining spay and neuter programs, because the thing about spay/neuter (or other sterilization techniques, if they become available) is that they absolutely need to be ongoing. They are not high-profile extravaganzas that grab attention and bring in bucks, but they are the true no-kill solution.
Jennifer, the truth may be more sinister. During the years 1990-2010 the USA experienced an 80% decline in euthanasia due to a focus on low and no-cost s/n programs. It was then, when no-kill seemed within reach that BFAS, ASPCA and others deprioritized s/n and reversed all that progress.
Job security. They saw the writing on the wall.
“Friendly, adoptable animals in high-intake shelters are being euthanized because of overcrowding, while unsocialized animals from rural shelters are prioritized to meet Best Friends’ metrics.” I hope Los Angeles elected officials takes note and develops policies to prevent Best Friends from importing rural dogs—particularly livestock guardian breeds—into urban areas. After adopting one myself, I’ve learned how challenging these breeds can be in non-rural settings. The low euthanasia rates in rural areas often mask a harsh reality: owners frequently resort to shooting these dogs when they don’t meet expectations. Best Friends also seems to lack a commitment to proper spay/neuter education, transporting dogs from areas without such programs into Los Angeles, exacerbating local issues.
There are allegations that Best Friends was importing animals into the LA Mission Hills Shelter in violation of their contract with the City. There really needs to be an audit of this organization's involvement in LA, but City Officials are unresponsive to any strategy that would actually help the animals under their charge.
Importing small fluffies?
Has anyone else checked out the salaries the top players at Best Friends are being paid? These are from their 2022 tax return.
(8) GREGORY CASTLE BOARD MEMBER / CEO EMERITUS ....... 220,092 + 9,072
(9) ALFRED BATTISTA....... BOARD CHAIR INTERNAL CONSULTANT ....... 187,987 + 9,072
(10) BERNADETTE MEJIA .... DIRECTOR OF PRINCIPAL GIFTS ......... 172,867 + 9,072
(11) CYRUS MEJIA ....... INTERNAL CONSULTANT ................. 88,888
(12) STEPHEN HOWELL ..... CFO AND COO ................. 421,962 + 13,248
(13) SUSAN CITRO ....... CHIEF EPERIENCE OFFICER ................. 281,501 + 18,136
(14) JULIANNE CASTLE ........ CHIEF EECUTIVE OFFICER ................. 527,705 + 9,072
(15) VALERIE DORIAN .... CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ................. 258,804 + 12,096
(16) GRETA PALMER ....... CHIEF BRAND & COMMUNICATIONS ................. 210,913 + 9,072
(17) JUDAH BATTISTA ......... CHIEF SANCTUARY OFFICER ................. 218,349 + 10,136
(18) HOLLY SIZEMORE..... CHIEF MISSIONS OFFICER ....................... 222,946 + 9,144
(19) MARC PERALTA ..... CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER ....................... 210,699 + 11,136
(20) AMY STARNES .... CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER ....................... 193,363 + 11,280
(21) ELISE TRAUB ....... CHIEF ETERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER & CHIEF OF STAFF ......215,061 + 8,648
(22) KAREN GALLARDO ..... SR. DIRECTOR ¬ MAJOR & PLANNED GIVING ..... 260,012 + 9,144
(23) REBECCA HUSS ....... GENERAL COUNSEL ....................... 201,538 + 9,051
(24) ERIKA ARNOLD ........ DIRECTOR ¬ PROCESS ECELLENCE ....................... 187,585 + 7,200
(25) JOSE OCANO ...... SR. DIRECTOR ¬ TALENT & CULTURE ....................... 178,995 + 4,266
An audit would help put all this in perspective...
I know the Sanctuary has been through a “changing of the guard” so to speak. The original group who started in AZ and then moved to Utah are up there in age and seem to have passed the administrative control to a new generation. I know the surviving members of the original group live on the Sanctuary grounds (at least they used to when I volunteered there). Are they on board with this pivot? It seems so different than the direction they were going 15-20 years ago.
Hi Bananies, like you, I was involved with the first generation of BFAS, whom I don't think would recognize today's leaders much less endorse them. But, as the say, silence is complicity...
I've been told over and over "They were a great organization 20 years ago, but have lost their way. Be careful about badmouthing them, as they are highly litigious and have deep funds to destroy you." So, Ed, thank you for your courage in shining a light on how truly awful they are. We all need to write to their big corporate sponsors and ask them to redirect funds to local rescues who are doing the real work of helping animal. And, continue to spread the word. Until funding goes down, Best Friends does not seem interested in changing their policies.
Another factor that is overlooked, these people collect some pretty hefty change, people who make money off the backs of animals are not motivated to help them and solve the problem. Why would they risk their hefty paychecks and perks. This is coroprate greed in the animal rescue world.
An audit would help clear all this up.
Michael Mountain would be appalled to see what Francis, Judah Batistta and Julie and Greg Castle have done to the organization.
BF is desperate and being kicked out everywhere. After witnessing what they did to the communities in the RGV in Texas, I am convinced they are a cult and have zero interest in helping animals. It’s all about numbers and money. They prey on the uniformed animal lover in the worst way. They defraud the public and misappropriate donor and tax payer money. This is illegal and hopefully the AG will get involved at some point. Their donors have a great case for getting their donations back! They thought they were donating to “save them all” but instead they donated to “DUMP THEM ALL” and high salaries. They are the biggest con in the animal space I know and should be removed from the animal world so we can start real change. Education and spay neuter is a good start!
The public must call them out for claiming shelters are “no kill” without ever checking the euthanasia records
Best friends is part of the machine
Once Best Friends claims a shelter is
a “NO KILL” partner, that shelter is used to dispose of pets by HSUS ASPCA GGC WOR Bissell.
BFAS Francis Battista & Julie Castle Never check the euthanasia records before they stamp the No kill Stamp on the shelter.
(and yes, it’s a cult)
This brings to mind something I recently read: "If you want to understand how to fix a problem, you have to ask who is profiting from the problem, not who is suffering from it."