The former Executive Director of the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan has responded to the latest statement released earlier today by the Board of Directors of that organization, calling out that board for “false accusations,” and defending herself from the allegations alluded to in the press release.
Here is Jill Svoboda’s response to the board’s statement today:
“I do not know nor have I ever heard of Lynne Christiano, she has only been a board member for 1 week. Therefore, I do not think she should speak of what she does not have knowledge of.
Enough with the false accusations. Kennel Techs routinely take out trash. The only thing thrown away was trash as I cleared my office/desk. The photos that this Lynne Christiano refers to were given to me by our longtime volunteer photographer, as gifts for Christmas. I had received many from her throughout the years. These photos were taken with her personal camera and she purchased with her own funds and gifted to me for Holidays. I chose to hang them in the Humane Society for all of the staff to enjoy. Those were my personal photos and I told the staff they could take one if they wanted. I do not know anything about a football nor do I know anything about Heartguard, as the Humane Society never used or purchased Heartguard under my tenure.
I was aware that Cuddlebug is an aging dog, but Doctor O’neal never mentioned a tumor prior to my departure and all I was aware of is a cough being monitored.
The Facebook account was created by a volunteer years ago and I never had credentials for it.
We used a diluted bleach foam spray, which was approved by the Dept. of Agriculture for the past 13 years and I will point out that I have NEVER been cited for anything. The polymer floors were approved for diluted bleach-use per our project manager, Mike Tomazewski with Pearson Construction.
It has never been common practice to supply kennel techs with boots. The boots left on the property were from a previous worker who simply left them behind.
As far as the financial situation, I went above and beyond to do my job. When I left the Humane Society due to ridicule and retaliation I left it better than I found it. My team and I moved the entire building and its contents to Royalton Township with no help from this Board of Directors. We then paid it off free and clear and left them with a healthy bank account.
I resigned from my position because of the harassment and the ridicule proposed by this toxic board. I hope the community is watching. If it is all about the animals, resign. As our prosecuting attorney states, there was no evidence of wrongdoing. Instead of wasting your time accusing me of falsehoods, the board of directors should be focused on animal welfare and getting to know the donors and the community that they will have to rely on. The Humane Society is a full-time commitment. There is nothing glamorous about it. It is a commitment that requires integrity and passion, there is no room for politics or egos. I dedicated 13 years of my life to the Humane Society and the well-being of the animals, I nor my former staff do not deserve this treatment.”
The board’s latest statement issued earlier today is at this link:
