The Kauai Humane Society, which had come under fire for underreporting its euthanasia rate — claiming it was as low as 47 percent in recent years — has corrected information on its website to reflect a high of 75 percent.
The corrections came last month as the board of directors for the animal shelter deflected criticism of Executive Director Penny Cistaro and rejected calls for her ouster by some employees.
A petition signed by 12 of 36 workers requesting Cistaro’s removal was submitted to the board in May after the group said complaints raised to the board and to Cistaro had gone unanswered. The complaints were filed over the reporting of erroneous euthanasia rates, letting animals go hungry, filthy cages and the hiring of unqualified staff members.
The group criticized Cistaro’s leadership style, saying she had created a hostile work environment and threatened the care of animals at the shelter.
But board President Emily Larocque told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that board members stand behind Cistaro 100 percent, saying she has improved programs at the shelter and that removing her would be unwise.
"We have complete confidence in the executive director," Larocque said. "She comes to us with years of animal care experience and is extremely adept in developing policies and programs and implementing best practices in the care of animals."
She added, "We’re seeing that."
Field Services Supervisor Mana Brown, who has worked at the Humane Society for six years, said the main concern for those who signed the petition is the improper care of animals.
"Here we are begging and screaming for help, and nobody is listening to us," said Brown, adding that the board stepped in only when longtime donors indicated they shared the employees’ concerns at a meeting in April.
Actor Pierce Brosnan, who owns property on Kauai and has donated to the organization for many years, sent a letter to the board urging them to look into the matter of the euthanasia rates and other areas.
Inaccurate euthanasia rates on the organization’s website were corrected May 27.
The incorrect numbers showed a rate of between 47 and 52 percent.
The actual rates are between 68 and 75 percent.
Larocque blamed mathematical errors that occurred before Cistaro started at the Humane Society in 2013.
She maintains there’s a downward trend in the euthanasia rates and that information provided by the group of employees that show the rates going up is false.
In response to employees’ complaints about Cistaro, the board conducted a recent employee survey. According to Larocque, 63 percent of the 36 employees are satisfied with work conditions.
"A majority of staff members are happy at the Kauai Humane Society and extremely motivated of the care of the animals," Larocque said.
Also, the board said it is working with Cistaro on an action plan.
"There are some weaknesses in the organization that we’re identifying and addressing," said Larocque.
Cistaro declined to comment on personnel matters but denied that the care of the animals is substandard.
"The animals are well maintained," she said, adding that claims to the contrary are an insult to the shelter’s animal care technicians.
Community Services Manager Jonathan Fisher, who has been employed by the Humane Society for a bit longer than a year, supports Cistaro. He maintains the animosity against Cistaro stems from personality conflicts.
