19 people found this review helpful
GENTLE BARN FOUNDATION
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February 25, 2013
19 people found this review helpful
I understand Darshan Sergi is trying to organize a public meeting with the Gentle Barn! I would love to attend!
My name is Erich Lange and I was a donor, volunteer, special person, served on the committee for the Gentle Barn's first golf tournament, possess a Lifetime Family Membership Card ($1000.00), and rode with Jay to the Planning Department in 2010. I have been to both of their facilities. I volunteered from May 2010 until I was asked not to come back in February 0f 2011. My first visit to the Gentle Barn was to make a $1000.00 donation to help save "60 sad cows". Here are a few questions I would like answered at the meeting:
1. Where is their 2010 IRS Form 990? (update 2/26/13 - it is now on Guidestar)
2. Where is their 2011 IRS Form 990? (update 2/26/13 - it is now on Guidestar)
3. Was the structure they put up on the Agua Dulce property permitted? I can't find a record of a permit.
4. What happened to the 60 cows from their 2010 campaign; the one where they raised $200,000?
5. On their 2009 IRS Form 990, I believe it says they paid $0.00 in salaries. How is that possible with a full office staff?
6. Jay once told me that he and Ellie didn't draw a salary. How did they support a family of 5 with no income?
7. If they weren't drawing a salary, how did they pay for their Las Vegas wedding and their various vacations (Hawaii, etc)?
8 Did their Board meet regularly BEFORE the Attorney General showed up in November of 2011? Do they have the minutes?
9. What does Ellen have to say about the 60 cows that were never rescued?
10. Could we ask to see their personal tax returns for 2010 and 2011 so we can see how they supported a family of five?
11. Were they responsible for my website being temporarily shut down?
12. How many "disgruntled" people did Ellie actually send her "Notice and Warning" to?
13. When the Gentle Barn was in Tarzana(?), was it zoned for an animal rescue?
14. GB faithful have claimed that my posts seeking answers are "filled with lies!" yet I am still waiting to have that claim substantiated. Please ask Jay, Ellie, Mike, Michelle, etc. to compile an actual list of these lies so I can apologize in public at this meeting. In two years the best any of them has come up with is that I had the name of a chicken wrong (the one that was accidentally killed by one of their pigs). The truth is that I have never knowingly lied about Jay, Ellie, or the Gentle Barn.
I hope this helps in preparing a list of questions for the meeting.
Erich O. Lange, P.E.
E-mail: wherearethecows@gmail.com
Facebook: Where are the cows?
Website: wherearethecows.webs.com
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
No
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
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
16 people found this review helpful
February 25, 2013
16 people found this review helpful
My Name is Nikki and I was a special person at the Gentle Barn for a horse named Princess. I was a special person to Princess for almost 2 years. I came to see her almost everyday; grooming her, walking her, riding her, and taking general care of her until I could not take the verbal abuse and prolonged stress I endured from Ellie and Jay any longer...forcing me to leave.
I also donted money for the "60 sad cows" campaign...the same cows that were never saved. I have filed a complaint with the Attorney General and the Gentle Barn is currently under investigation.
I would be very interested in meeting for a public forum to get answers.
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?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Okay
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
15 people found this review helpful
February 25, 2013
15 people found this review helpful
My name is Kathy Lange. I was a donor, volunteer and a 'special person' to a cow at the gentle barn. I am willing to attend a meeting to hear what Jay, Ellie and the Board of Directors have to say about the allegations made on this and other sites.
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
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
17 people found this review helpful
February 25, 2013
17 people found this review helpful
My Name is jackie Wagner and I volunteered at the Gentle Barn for three years. I also was employed by Elli and Jay to babysit their children and work with the horses for a short period of time. I worked closely with the all the animals and the volunteers and was there about 20 or more hours a week. Me and my family also made donations to the Gentle Barn.
I saw personally how they treat animals and volunteers and it is not okay. Because of the mistreatment I saw I would absolutely attend a meeting where the board, staff and Elli and Jay can answer our many questions. I think its time that me and many others finally get the answers that we deserve. If Elli, Jay and the Gentle Barn have nothing to hide than this meeting sounds like a wonderful idea.
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?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
12 people found this review helpful
February 25, 2013
12 people found this review helpful
My name is Alexandra Caswell. I was employed by the Gentle Barn from 2010-11 as an Office Administrator following several months of volunteering. I would be very happy to attend an open, public discussion with the current staff and Board of Directors regarding financial and animal care records.
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?
None
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 25, 2013
11 people found this review helpful
My name is Jody. I would love to attend a public meeting to discuss the financials of The Gentle Barn as well as the care of the animals and maintenance of the facility. As a nonprofit 501(c)3, all of the financials of The Gentle Barn should be available for public review. As donors have a right to know how much money is coming in and how it's being spent.
I think an independent moderator is an excellent idea. And I even think it's appropriate to put all finance-related questions to Ellie, Jay and the Gentle Barn Board of Directors prior to the meeting so that they have ample time to gather the documents necessary to support their claim or refute those from the public. This way, there can be no "I'll get back to you on that" moments.
I volunteered for several months a couple years ago. I left for reasons explained in detail in a much earlier review that I posted on this site (still available should you feel like scrolling through to read it). Just look for my name, it was on page 6 as of this morning...
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
November 3, 2011
27 people found this review helpful
I, too, am echoing the other reviews and adding a little extra from my own experience. I began volunteering there in 2010. I spent most of my time in the upper barnyard. Shortly after I began volunteering, there was an urgent fundraising effort to save an orphaned calf from a local farm. The day the calf was to arrive, suddenly the mother was located and so the calf was no longer orphaned. Instead of using the raised funds to improve the housing for the existing animals at GB, or for food and health care, they decided to go to an auction and PURCHASE two other calves. These calves caught the attention of Ellen Degeneres and were named by her - Holy and Madonna. Once Ellen learned of these calves she became an active supporter of GB and now donates large sums of money on a regular basis.
While their fundraising habits leave something to be desired and clearly lack the transparency one would expect from a non-profit, I also have a personal issue with Ellie and Jay. They live on the property and have 5 pet dogs. I am a professional canine behaviorist and read dogs very well. I know how to interact with them and have (so far) never been attacked. On one day, as I was getting ready to leave, 3 of her dogs appeared out of nowhere and surrounded me, barking, and one lunged at me. Once I was able to extract myself from this unpleasant situation, I reported the incident in the office. Ellie brushed it off as being harmless. When I left the office and approached the upper barnyard fence so I could speak to Ellie, I was again surrounded by these dogs who were acting in a very menacing manner. That time, I was blocked between the fence and my car by these dogs, and my only means of safe escape was to enter my car through the passenger door.
Only a month later, as I arrived, another of Ellie's dogs charged me at full speed, barking and menacing. This was sudden and aggressive enough, that my instinctive response was to change directions and make myself less threatening. When that failed to slow the dog down, I instinctively challenged the dog back to try to get it to back down. I screamed "Whoa!" repeatedly; after my third shout of "Whoa!" Ellie finally came into the area and dragged the dog off. Ellie seemed appropriately contrite. But just one hour later, as I was leaving, she AGAIN allowed this same dog free access and this dog AGAIN charged me at full speed, barking and menacing. As I said, I'm a professional and I have the self control and confidence to simply stand still with my back to the dog, but most people would have been very frightened by this dog's aggressive behavior. Had I screamed in fear or tried to run away, I have no doubt that this dog would have tackled me and may have bitten.
I tried to politely point out the massive liability issue of having these dogs loose on the property - both during the week when volunteers (not paid employees) are wandering around, but also on Sundays when they are open to the PAYING public. Ellie informed me that it was absolutely "not [my] place to comment" and Jay assured me there "is no liability because they don't bite." To me this is egregious neglect. Any dog who is that aroused and acting in a fearful, defensive manner as this dog was (and who has teeth in their mouth) WILL bite at some point.
Ellie and Jay's complete lack of concern for the safety of their volunteers and the paying public was the last straw for me. I am a canine professional and I was more taken aback and actually frightened by her dog (the second encounter) than I've ever been with any dog I've ever encountered. I decided that as a volunteer who was donating my time, I did not need the stress of wondering if I would be attacked every time I arrived. I informed Ellie that I would no longer be volunteering and the specific reasons for my departure. She never responded.
If Ellie and Jay's connection to GB were to end, and a proper board of directors was established, with transparent reviews of where the money is coming from and where it's going, I would be open to resuming my volunteer work there. But as long as Ellie and Jay are at the helm, I have no interest in being connected to GB.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I volunteered my time with the animals for 4 months at the end of 2010.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would remove Ellie and Jay from any role with GB. The concept of Gentle Barn is great. But Ellie and Jay mismanage the money, fraudulently fund-raise, are rude and disrespectful to the volunteers and show a complete lack of concern for the safety and well being of those who spend time on that property.
February 25, 2013
15 people found this review helpful
My name is Darshan Sergi and I worked in the Gentle Barn office for 4-1/2 years. My title ranged from Development Associate to Director of Development, but most of my work was on the operations side. I was also on the Board of Directors for several years. There are a lot of claims being made in this forum. I am not going to add anything in this post, but I have a proposal.
I propose that we have a public meeting with Jay, Ellie and the Gentle Barn Board of Directors. I propose that the meeting be open to everyone so we can openly discuss all issues that have been raised. I propose the following guidelines:
-Independent Mediator: Given the emotional nature of the issues raised, an independent mediator would ensure all sides are equally heard.
-Supporting Documentation: Documentation should be provided to support or refute a claim. Jay, Ellie and the Gentle Barn Board of Directors should bring Gentle Barn financial and animal care records, and open them up for public inspection.
If you would be interested in attending this meeting, please post using your real name and describe your relationship with The Gentle Barn. Here is a sample:
“My name is John Smith. I am a donor and I volunteered with the horses for two years and I would love to attend this meeting.”
I look forward to an open and honest dialogue with everyone. Thank you.
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?
Some
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
February 25, 2013
2 people found this review helpful
I am a long-term volunteer and sponsor of The Gentle Barn. I can attest to the fact that each week that I arrive to work with the barnyard animals that they are well taken care of, loved, and respected. All of the current volunteers and staff who work there care about the well-being of the animals. My job includes interacting with the animals to give them the attention they deserve and want. I brush the goats, sheep, and pigs. I keep the barnyard and stalls clean by raking up poop and sweeping. I make sure that there's always fresh water available for the animals to drink. But, most importantly, I make sure that each and every animal is loved and shown kindness.
In all my years of volunteering at The Gentle Barn, I have never seen an animal mistreated, but just the opposite. When any animal needs medical attention, a vet is summoned right away, if necessary. I have personally witnessed a vet providing care to goats with arthritic problems and treating other animals on numerous occasions. Health-related problems of any of the animals are always reported to the office or to Ellie, herself. In my experience, the proper and expected actions have always been taken to insure that the health and well-being of the animals is foremost. Regular maintenance is also done to assure that animals are cared for properly. Hooves are maintained, and the sheep are sheared before the hot months of summer each year. One would have to question the motivations of many of the one star reviewers who allege that the animals are not cared for properly, or that The Gentle Barn is nothing but a glorified petting zoo. Far from the truth, ... one of the main purposes of The Gentle Barn is to educate the public about animal abuse and the work that goes on daily there. That is why it is open to the public only one day of the week and only between 10 am and 2pm, instead of being open everyday. Most of the animals love the extra attention given them on Sundays. The good work continues at The Gentle Barn during the weekdays, when children from schools, disadvantaged homes, senior citizens, disabled adults and children, troubled youth, and abused children and teens have an opportunity to visit with the animals, learn to respect all living things, and help with the healing process. Be the judge yourself, rather than give credence to the negative reviews that some want you to believe due to a hidden agenda. Come visit The Gentle Barn on a Sunday, and make up your own mind. As for myself, I will continue to financially support and volunteer for this organization, because I've personally seen the good work it does.
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?
2013
2 people found this review helpful
February 25, 2013
2 people found this review helpful
Our family loves the Gentle Barn. It is a great way to spend a Sunday. You'll meet a variety of animals including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, emu, and more. Don't miss feeding carrots to the horses and the adorable burro Addison! Your kids will be thrilled! The staff keeps the place pristine. The animals are well loved and cared for. When you see how confident the animals are around people, it's obvious they've been shown love and kindness by the staff and volunteers who interact with them daily.
Despite my busy life, I've been volunteering about 10 hours a week for going on 2 years, because I truly believe in their mission. It has been life changing to witness sick, starving animals who have been rescued and brought back to health, to live out their days in a comfortable loving environment. Words can't express how much I've come to adore these amazing animals and I'm forever grateful to Ellie and Jay for rescuing them! The staff at Gentle barn work tirelessly to make sure all of the animals have the best possible care and nutrition. The animals are safe, secure, and loved, that's really what it's all about!
I hope everyone will stop and consider the aminals when writing a review, they are innocent and they depend on donation dollars for their care. If you are truly an animal lover, please put them first!
Kris Bowlby
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?
2013
2 people found this review helpful
February 24, 2013
2 people found this review helpful
This is one of the most wonderful experiences. I have taken my daughter her many times, both individually and with her school. We have had the BEST time ever and everyone was so nice and welcoming. It was only $10.00 to gain entrance (which goes to supporting the welfare of the animals). We were able to play with the animals, brush a horse, and pet a pig's belly! It was the most fun we have had. It was also very clean and the animals were obviously very well cared for. I definitely will go many times again! Thank you Gentle Barn!
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
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