Elephant Sanctuary
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March 3, 2013
Since Carol Buckley was ousted in an ugly coup, the Sanctuary has tenuously maintained a facade of its old self but, in reality, it has been eviscerated. It's run by a board that knows and cares about money, not elephants. There is no one -- no one -- on staff with anything remotely approaching Carol's knowledge of, experience with and deep affinity for elephants.
As to Marcella Smith's comments about Carol: A few years ago Marcella wanted to build a house on property she bought bordering the Sanctuary. To enter her property from the front to build the house would have required her to build a bridge across a stream, which she could not afford. Instead, Marcella wanted construction crews to be able to drive THROUGH part of the Sanctuary habitat to reach her property. Carol refused, given the disruption it would have caused to the elephants and their daily lives. Ms. Smith is obviously still angry.
There are many people who idolized Carol Buckley but, since the coup, have demonized her. Their comments should be taken with a large grain of salt. And those who hold to their belief that nothing has changed at the Sanctuary show their lack of knowledge of the therapeutic process Carol developed there.
I would advise potential donors to stay away from the Sanctuary until Carol Buckley returns.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
February 28, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
I am no longer employed as Director of Husbandry at the Sanctuary. I left just a few months after Rob Atkinson, CEO, left. Janice Zeitlin is acting CEO. Susan Mikota is Director of Veterinary Services. [This website asks me to rate the Sanctuary: I do not wish to rate the Sanctuary so I have selected the middle rating in each category and the same number of stars it already had to satiate the demand of the site without meaning to imply any opinion about the sanctuary in my rating.]
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Okay
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Some
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review from CharityNavigator
2 previous reviews - show all
August 18, 2011
They have now rid themselves of the other co-founder Scott Blais. The BOD have replaced his $35k salary with 3 new director positions at an unknown cost. They never file their 990 until the last min... more
November 30, 2012
Rob Atkinson has also left now and they are in search of another CEO. The other co-founder left this year. The ones that need to go are the board of directors.
More feedback...
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
August 18, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
They have now rid themselves of the other co-founder Scott Blais. The BOD have replaced his $35k salary with 3 new director positions at an unknown cost. They never file their 990 until the last minute and then it is almost two years old.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the time before the BOD took over when it was a wonderful place.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get rid of the BOD before they do even more financial damage and harm the elephants.
April 27, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
It just gets worse and worse for this once magnificent charity. A second lawsuit by another employee has been filed against The Elephant Sanctuary. Here is the link to the story.
http://lewisherald.atomicnewstools.com/pages/?p=2495
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the rescued elephants living as-free-as-possible life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
boot out the current BOD and reinstate Carol Buckley.
1 person found this review helpful
July 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I write this review in memory of a dog named Bella. Who, without the Elephant Sanctuary, would have never known the love of an elephant named Tara. The Elephant sanctuary is a peaceful place for elephants to live out their years with plenty of room to be...elephants.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
December 28, 2011
3 people found this review helpful
I think that supporters of Carol should be ashamed of themselves. Have you read the legal response of TES to Carol's self-serving & grossly inaccurate lawsuit? Sorry folks, your hero is a psychotic, & the BOD did not disclose the ugly details for the best of intentions. Carol needs way more help than she is capable of giving. Kudos to the BOD for handling such an unfortunate & miserable situation with tactfulness & concern for the mission. My heartfelt condolences to the employees & interns who suffered Carol's abuse.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
December 22, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I am so very glad to be a donor of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. I noticed that the sanctuary lost its five star rating when Ms. Buckley was still in power, she was not suppended until the end of 2009. I also see she rejected the opportunity to visit Tarra. I also see the TB situation with the care staff were during her reign. I am very thankful that there is 3 people in the HUGE and overwhelming amount of work that was Scott's job, I look back and wish Ms. Buckley had done that sooner for Scott and the Girls. I am very proud to be a donor for the sanctuary, because no matter what is going on in administration, the girls still need their food and I love the Girls!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 12, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
Why should I continue to donate to an organization whose Baord of Directors ousted the very insirational primary founder and CEO, but did not make that info public until months afterwards so they could continue to solicit donations in her name? This charity does not file mandatory paperwork in a timely manner. The last 990 covers 2009. They were late in filing the proper paperwork to maintain their non-profit status in the state of Tennessee. They do not publicly list their Board of Directors identities nor remuneration on their website. This organization has not submitted to independent financial audit. Their overall Charity Navigator rating has fallen to 3 stars. There are just too many issues with this organization for me to maintain my desire to contribute. There are other elephant welfare organizations that have transparent operations and I believe are more worthy of my hard earned money.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
n/a
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Open the books for audit. Remove the current Board of Directors. Reinstate the former co-founder. Work to overcome the damage done by the current Board of Directors in order to regain the respect of the public and donors.
2 people found this review helpful
September 21, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I had been a donor for eleven years because of the excellence of the dream that Carol Buckley created for old, sick, and needy elephants. I kept in touch with what they did during all that time, through newsletters, web site, national news media, and special programs about animals that included The Elephant Sanctuary. All during this time, they did everything right! I contributed all I could and even set up a trust that was to go to them upon my passing.
Now, however, that evil people, attracted by the money good people have donated to help the elephants, have descended into the Sanctuary, huge amounts of money are being given to spouses of board members and to contractors who have done no work. Worst of all, they have, in a coup that blindsided her, ousted Carol Buckley, the inspiration for The Elephant Sanctuary, without whom the Sanctuary never would have existed or have been the excellent refuge for beleaguered elephants that it was. They knew she would never stand for their evil acts -- in fact, she closed the bank account from which the spouse and contractor had been paid!! This is all described in the lawsuit Carol filed against the Sanctuary, referenced in a comment above.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
A heaven on earth for elephants while Carol Buckley was there, and grief and dismay at her being ousted. No way can these people properly care for the elephants -- all they care about is getting as much money as they can out of it!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Throw out every board and staff member and reinstate Carol Buckley immediately! If any staff member was not directly involved in Carol's ousting, they're still complicit by staying there and helping them do their evil deeds instead of quitting in protest!
1 person found this review helpful
September 13, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I have supported The Elephant Sanctuary for years. I even have my front
license plate from this organization. I read "Water for Elephants" and can't help but want to help those beautiful creatures. However, the news
letters have changed and I have become suspicious of the new organization. Why is is possible for the "founders" to be fired. My biggest concern right now is the elephants and their care. I have noticed that more have died and fewer have found sanctuary since these changes have occured. Shame on you.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
reading every word of the newsletters in the past and finding many changes in the focus and goals.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
reinstate the original founders and get back to the original mission and the original donors would then come back also.
July 7, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I have donated to this charity for several years, but stopped in this last year when I had more questions than answers given.
Donor beware as this charity has lost its non-profit status with the State of Tennessee.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
receiving no follow up to my emails after being a donor of 10 + years.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Respond to your donors. Let people know what is going on. Do NOT ignore those who donate and keep you operating. Also, adhere to the original mission to rescue elephants. When was the last elephant rescued?
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
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