1 person found this review helpful
GENTLE BARN FOUNDATION
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
May 14, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
This organization is currently under investigation by California Attorney General for financial fraud. Today is May 14th, 2012 and yet Guidestar does not have tax information for The Gentle Barn for 2010 or 2011 yet. This is due to the fact that the organization has yet to file their tax documents for 2010 or 2011. Do your homework before you consider giving money to this organization. It seems they are in some very troubled waters and there is no way to know how it will turn out.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Remove the leadership (Officers and the current Board of Directors) and replace them with a functional board and leadership.
More feedback...
How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What is unique about this organization?
They have a truly inspirational business model. If run correctly, there is terrific potential in the vision.
2 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
When I first went to volunteer at the GB I was elated. I had found my peace and my passion. A place where I can give and receive love. The people that were there were also fantastic. After a while when the rose colored glasses came off, I began to see what was some of the worst behavior I could imagine. The owners Ellie and her husband Jay are on a whole other planet. I planet where they are the be all end off knowing everything. They live way outside their means for a non profit salary. A boat, a wedding in Vegas , a housekeeper, lavish stuff for the kids, that believe me spared no expense. Or did it? Yes the expense of the animals. They are so delusional to think that supplements will make everything better. I have never seen so much neglect of animal care in my life. The suffering and miserable existence that some of these animals endured was horrific and when brought to their attention we were made to feel stupid and unknowing. These 2 people have NO business doing what they are doing and should be ashamed of themselves they way they treat these animals. As volunteers most of us have left , not so much of the way of how badly they treated us but the animals. Most people would wonder why we stayed but we were all worried sick for the animals we came to know and love. The evil that resides in the minds of those 2 people is unreal to me. They are not the people they portray and eventually the world will see it, just as the community there has. Their reputation w the businesses where they are located is bad...they have alienated everyone because they think they are untouchable. The animals are a reason to have that place exist and they are the reason anyone should be there. DO NOT give $$$ as it DOES NOT go to animal care, it goes to the owners. This is not a lashing out as a disgruntled volunteer its a cry for help. They must be stopped for the sake of the animals.
More feedback...
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?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
May 14, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I was a volunteer for several years, and decided to leave by choice. The founder and her husband put arrogance, pride and questionable credentials ahead of animal care. Several animals have died or suffered permanent disability because they spend funds on their personal life rather than on veterinary care. In fact, local vets will not practice there because of the non-professional manner in which they have been treated. They constantly solicit for 'emergency' funding, while living a lavish lifestyle that includes a cook, maid service, a laundress, and personal assitants, without even working full time. They do not pick up after their own pets, they make Gentle Barn employees do it. There has been no evidence that they were taking a a salary and paying personal income taxes until recently when they came under scrtiny. They may have been living directly on donations with no accountability to anyone. I have heard the founder say many times that she spends time with every animal every day. All volunteers can refute that, it is untrue. The founder and her husband have never presented any credentials that they are expert animal trainers, but say in public, especially on camera, that they are. I can find no evidence that the founder has a college degree, but presents herself as a qualified counselor/therapist. This is easy information for anyone to aquire if they took the time to investigate. Many people are drawn to volunteer and/or donate to this organization, but most volunteers leave quickly once exposed to the disrespectful treatment they receive. I stayed so long because of the friendships with animals and adults I had made. I think the idea of The Gentle Barn is great and there is much potential for success, but it is getting harder to see it working with the present founder and her husband leading it. I felt that as long as I thought I was doing some good, I was able to put up with the major discomforts I endured. Once the balance shifted to mostly pain, and little effectiveness because of "Founder's Syndrome"(look it up), I left.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Unsure
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
5 people found this review helpful
February 23, 2012
5 people found this review helpful
My concern with the Gentle Barn is the complete lack of financial oversight. They have a board, but have never had a board meeting nor produced any board minutes. They use Foundation monies for personal reasons regularly - for vacations, for their boat, for their kids, and to pay for their family therapy sessions. I believe that they do some good work with the animals and with their programs, but until the financial aspect is corrected, I would not donate money to them. Donate your time - that goes right to the animals, but your money may very likely not go to the care of the animals at all.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Likely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Okay
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
February 22, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I am a different person now because of The Gentle Barn. For three years I have volunteered for the Gentle Barn and have seen first hand the MIRACLES they perform. I helped a terminally ill man hold a chicken which immediately produced a child like smile on his face a week before he passed on. I witnessed a troubled youth describe himself as dirty only to leave calling himself brave. I witnessed a wheelchair bound child get his first kiss from a horse, I have helped them with animals of neglect and abuse recover and be loved again. I've seen horribly sick animals get 24/7 hands on care and love, along with western and eastern medicine. I have seen numerous people give up meat and become Vegan saving tens of thousands of animals lives because of Ellie and Jay and the Gentle Barn. This last christmas The Gentle Barn and LAPD's P.A.L. program gave out over 200 "Cars 2 "toys to inner city under privileged kids. All this in three years. I look forward to volunteering 10 more years! So yes I am a very different person now, for the better. I highly recommend a visit to the Gentle Barn to see for yourself.
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?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
February 22, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
During my time at the gentle barn I have been verbally attacked and cussed out by Ellie, I have seen Jay whip a horse with a rope for no real reason and I have been asked to lie more than once. They are evil money hungry people who treat the volunteers and animals with no respect! Jay is really good at selling the sob stories of himself and Ellie and the animals. DONT BELIEVE HIM. I was involved there for three years and have never seen people lie about so many things. Many of the animals there are not even really rescued, they are pets that Elli and Jay decided to take in. They say they are kind and loving yet they treated me with no respect and screamed and cursed at me until I cried. They cant even produce simple answers, I asked Elli many times how old Zoe was(a horse at the GB) and she responded that she lost the paper work. Seems a little sketchy to me. Then there are the even more simple questions, where are the cows? where are the barns? who is on the board? Please do not waste any time or money on this organization. There are many real rescues that need your help.
More feedback...
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?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
5 people found this review helpful
February 22, 2012
5 people found this review helpful
I would be very interested to knowing exactly who these secret board members are. To date no one has ever heard of them except the previous reviewer. Surely, the names of the board members is not top secret is it? And to the other volunteers that keep talking about how wonderful and peaceful The Gentle Barn is, it is wonderful and peaceful on the surface. As long as you don't get to close and you don't know too much, you will be fine. Once you get below the surface you see the problems. One problem you really want to stay away from is Ellie and her temper. She is a verbally abusive crazy person. So sad to see. I thought for sure she was mother earth when I got there. Boy was I wrong. Such a disappointment. And for the record, I have a very full and busy life and have found someplace else to volunteer at in addition to school and work and family so I'm not sitting around with nothing to do but some things are worth shining a light on.
More feedback...
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?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
3 people found this review helpful
February 18, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
I am very close to someone who is on the board of The Gentle Barn and I am a donor as well as a fundraiser for charities including the Gentle Barn. I've worked with them for years and watched them grow since inception. These posted allegations prompted board members, myself and fellow donors to investige the matter. We demanded transparency as none of us were happy with what we read here nor do we wish to donate into such an alleged situation. We discovered the postings are by ex- volunteers who are angry at the Gentle Barn for personal reasons. They are not on the board or even deeply affiliated hence they have limited access to detail regarding these matters . I can understand why certain issues appeared questionable to an outsider but when we approached them with credibility and demanded transparency, we were obliged. We not only confirmed these allegations don't correlate with the examined facts presented but we learned some surprising information. Though I don't have the right to disclose the information provided without obtaining permission-I will confirm that regarding the 60 cows and barns incident, there is a credible information as to what happened and I will ask permission to post the variables as I would like to see resolution for those who are concerned. I can assure legitimate explanations as to the alleged financial accusations- there has been no immoral activity such as theft or using funds raised for charity on personal usage. In fact, though I am not at liberty to disclose details, I was astonished by certain aspects of generosity that enabled the Gentle Barn not only to exist but to flourish and the extent of hardship and risk so given at times would be nearly impossible to recoup based on what we witnessed. According to what I've seen in the animal rescue community, there seems to be a frequent occurance of personal conflict I find baffling and I've concluded there are those who are prone to jealousy, control issues, and outright drama- unfortunately at the expense of the animal's well-being and/or the functionality of organizations. I became invested in The Gentle Barn as I watched it unfold and will never forget how the abused children from group homes responded to the animal therapy. I was amazed at how this program helped these at-risk and abused kids in conjunction with at-risk animals . The place is magical and likened to heaven by the work it does. These people work so hard for little to no compensation compared to industry standards. Frankly, I'm appalled at how this misperceived resentment has catapulted into such damage when such lack of justification is apparent based upon my objective pursuit of the truth. I cannot believe people could literally have vested interest in tearing something apart without absolute substantial fact to justify it. It's baffling how defective human action can be during the reckless pursuit of revenge. The grounds are spotless, well-groomed healthy animals approach strangers with no fear only to give unconditional love to needy and broken children yet a shortsided view can be blind to see the truth in just that one lonely variable... I'm speechless and left wondering what is wrong with some people? Don't they have better things to do? Like go volunteer someplace else? Or are they so caught up in 'self-absorbtion' that they can see that there is more that matters in the world besides themselves??? Or what really matters in life???
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
4 people found this review helpful
February 16, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
I've seen far too many animals die unnecessarily at the hands of the owners. It sickens me to think that people are still being snowed by their lies and that animals continue to die due to lack of proper care. Open your eyes. They're not who they say they are and the truth will be revealed. In loving memory of Zoe, Halo and Mama Dear.
More feedback...
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?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
December 7, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I think it is sad that disgruntled ex-volunteers feel the need to spew such poison about such a great organization. I love The Gentle Barn. The animals are amazing and the grounds are spotless. They obviously care deeply for each and every animal and the kids who come there too. I don't know of any other organization that does the kind of work they do. I get happy every time I drive through those gates and know I get to spend time with the animals. I feel like my work there really helps them and helps kids too. How could you not like a place like that?
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?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews