PLEASE....DON'T TURN YOUR BACK AND WALK AWAY...
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil,
but because of those who look on and do nothing.
~ Anna Sewell
Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our souls
when we look the other way.
Martin Luther King
MARCH, 2011: PLEASE READ THESE PAGES, PLEASE PASS THE LINK TO THIS SITE TO ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT YOU FEEL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE INFORMATION WITHIN.
I WAS THE FIRST STAFF VETERINARIAN HIRED TO WORK AT BJC ANIMAL CONTROL IN 2002 AND MY CONCERNS FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THOSE ANIMALS STILL HAUNTS ME, DEEPLY.
WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO PUT THIS SUFFERING TO AN END UNTIL WE SPEAK UP, AND WE MUST SPEAK UP IN NUMBERS. I HAVE READ THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS WAITING ON THE MAYOR TO SUBMIT AN "RFP", REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, OR BIDS ON THE CONTRACT FOR RUNNING THE FACILITY. THIS WILL ALLOW SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE MAN WHO HAS KEPT HIS FISTS TIGHTLY CLENCHED ON THIS CONTRACT TO TAKE OVER THE FACILITY AND TO MAKE IT A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. AND HOPEFULLY THIS WOULD PUT AN END TO THE TERRIBLE SUFFERING MANY OF THE ANIMALS IMPOUNDED THERE GO THROUGH, AND THE CORRUPT USE OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT ARE PAYING FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY.
AS IT STANDS NOW, IT IS THE ONLY "FOR PROFIT" ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY IN THE NATION. AND IT HAS BEEN A "FOR PROFIT" FACILITY FOR OVER 13 YEARS. I DON'T THINK IT TAKES A GENIUS TO SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF THE "SYSTEM" WITH SUCH A LUDICROUS CONTRACT. AND EVEN MORE TELLING IT IS A CONTRACT THAT ELIMINATES ACCOUNTABILITY BY FORBIDDING ANY AUDITS OF THE BOOKS, EVEN BY THOSE THAT HAVE FUNDED THE FACILITY, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE COUNTY COMMISSION. THESE ARE YOUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS BEING SUCKED DOWN A BLACK HOLE. WRITE OR CALL THE BIRMINGHAM MAYOR'S OFFICE, YOUR CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS, AND URGE THEM TO GET THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OUT TO THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE WAITED FAR TOO LONG, FAR TOO MANY ANIMALS HAVE SUFFERED, FAR TOO MUCH OF OUR MONEY UNACCOUNTED FOR. JUST TAKE A TOUR OF THE BUILDING - SEE IF YOU CAN TELL WHERE THE PROFITS HAVE BEEN GOING.........
Even more important, if you are one of the many, many people who have real concerns about that facility, please submit your information below. You can and will remain anonymous, if for right now you are in fear of retaliation from Smith. I have received letters and comments from people, especially from rescue groups, that want to speak up but are in fear of the negative impact this will have on the animals. Rescue groups who are allowed to "pull" (ie-adopt these animals out of the facility and officially relinquished to their care where they can get them needed medical attention, spaying and neutering, and get them adopted into the proper homes) will not speak out because they are afraid (and rightly so, because this does happen) that they will be denied the opportunity to get the animals out of there, and this of course takes precedence. otherwise, you know what will happen to these animals. Employees are fearful of losing their jobs if they say anything. I know this is true because I was in several staff meetings where Mr. Smith made it quite clear that if he caught ANYONE what he referred to as "leaking information" heads would roll, and employees would be fired. He can do this because he is an "at will" employer (as are many in Alabama, if not all; this may be a state law, or statute or something). This means he can fire any person, at anytime, for any reason. I don't know how things are now, but when I worked there, employees were well paid, with comprehensive benefits. These were just ordinary people with families to support, bills to pay, and perhaps not qualified to do any other type of work. In my observations as an employee there, employees could get by with a minimum of effort to satisfy their job requirements. I felt that Mr. Smith gave minimal supervision over the employees, and they of course took advantage of this.
Just remember, there is safety in numbers. the more legitimate complaints we have, the greater our power, and if this information is put in the right hands, and with the right people, Mr. Smith's hands will be tied, because if he tries to do anything he knows he will get caught. I am putting myself in danger, but really, what else can he do to me? (more about that later) but more importantly, I may put my animals at risk. i just have to say some really heartfelt prayers because if somebody tries to harm my babies, i will end up in jail for life for murder!
Filling out this form does not submit any of your personal information. If you want to be contacted, you must put your correct email address, or other contact information. in the body of the message. And you have to believe me when i say i will keep that information confidential until you give me permission to reveal it.