1 person found this review helpful
PASADOS SAFE HAVEN
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May 20, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
the posted reviews of psh are extremely disconcerting! in the past i contributed financially to this organization although after visiting psh several times i had an uneasy feeling that the place served to realize the founders' dream of becoming "famous" and living the good "country life" more than helping animals. the salaries of the current and past "administrators" are simply obscene and show again that homo sapiens is the greediest and most untrustworthy of all animals.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
2 people found this review helpful
February 21, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
Before I begin, I would like to state that the following is my opinion, based on my observations and experiences as a volunteer.
It is with sadness that after almost two years of volunteering regularly on the farm, I wrote a detailed letter to Pasado’s yesterday informing them that I would no longer be volunteering or supporting them. This has been a very difficult decision because I have become close with many of the animal residents there. Unfortunately, it is a decision that I feel I had to make. I believe that the most important objective at a sanctuary is the well being of the animals who reside there. I agree with this statement from Wikipedia:
What distinguishes a sanctuary from other institutions is the philosophy that the residents come first. In a sanctuary, every action is scrutinized for any trace of human benefit at the expense of non-human residents. Sanctuaries act on behalf of the animals, and the caregivers work under the notion that all animals in the sanctuary, human and non-human, are of equal importance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sanctuary)
While I think that there are some very caring employees at Pasado’s and some improvements have been made (like the addition of another person to clean on the farm), I believe that overall morale is low, good management is lacking, and that the care of the animals is not the first priority. Animal care, cleanliness, and shelter all fall far below my expectations of what is expected at an animal sanctuary. To me, this is a systems issue larger than what can be addressed by individual employees or on an issue by issue basis. I am hoping that management will consider improving care and conditions immediately, especially for the cows, or consider surrendering them to an organization that can provide a better life for them. I have expressed to management that I think that a great resource is Farm Sanctuary. They offer helpful tips on running a sanctuary and the proper care of farm animals on a sponsored website at http://www.farmanimalshelters.org/index.htm . I am very sad and will miss the animals dearly. I hope that my experiences, observations, concerns, and suggestions will be received with respect, shared with board members, and will bring about positive change for the animals at Pasado’s Safe Haven.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Unlikely
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?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
February 13, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
I was a volunteer at Pasado’s Safe Haven for almost 2 years before I was banned for expressing my disapproval of euthanizing a dog that I believed was neglected by caretakers. I had offered to adopt him, yet they decided to euthanize him instead. From the beginning of my volunteering, I watched as the farm wet downhill. In my opinion, the animals were not being cared for properly. Pasado’s owns several large land parcels that were not being used for animals. Instead they threw animals onto small areas of land that were insufficient to meet their needs. They used to let the goats and llamas down to a large area of land everyday to get exercise and stimulate them. They moved their cows from their large roaming land to this area, which took it away from the goats. The goats were going stir-crazy not being able to graze and wander and were crowded into a small area with 4 other llamas. The cows that were moved to this area were starting to suffer. No one would trim their hooves, and in fact, they sent a certified letter to a former employee who was the only one able to do this task, telling her that if she stepped foot on the property again, the sheriffs would be called. The cows were and still are standing in at least 6 inches of mud. A couple of volunteers (now banned from the farm too) and I offered to host a work party to fix their living conditions. I was told that it had to go through management first and that management might decide for us to do something else. We were not allowed to request where we would like to work. After months of offering our help, I was told that the cows’ area would be done by Pasado’s Safe Haven. In acquired about the status last fall and was told by a caretaker that it was never done and that the cows were still living in squalor conditions. I again offered my help to gather a work party and I later received an email requesting me to pay between $5000-15,000 dollars to have this done. This is ludicrous considering that Pasado’s has a net worth of over 5 million dollars. It is also inappropriate to request this kind of money from a volunteer when in fact, Pasado’s should be paying to make sure that their animals are taken care of. The work has still yet to be completed. In the fall, the dog conditions were alarming. Dogs were locked in small cyclone fence kennels for months at a time, with no shelter from the cold, rainy, wet, sometimes snowy elements. The dog yards and houses are meant for packs of dogs, yet there were many yards that housed only one dog while others lived in horrific conditions. While these yards were almost empty, dogs who could have been rescued, were left to die in the shelters. One of the dog yards and house, contains cats owned by a volunteer. It houses no dogs. Why one might ask themselves, isn’t this area being used for rescuing more animals. I recently had the chance to view pasado’s 2010 990 form. I was utterly shocked. How can the living conditions and lack of rescuing more animals be null while the salaries of the executives were nearly doubled from around 600 thousand to 1.2 million in one year!!! I could go on and on about what has happened in my short time volunteering at Pasado’s. I implore you, as a donor, a volunteer, or just an animal lover to take a long, hard look at the present Pasado’s Safe Haven. A once stellar organization is collapsing I am afraid. I am afraid for all the animals that are involved and am afraid that one day, if management keeps running things the way they currently are, that Pasado’s Safe Haven will be no longer.
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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?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Somewhat badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
February 12, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
Well, I have to differ with you when it comes to Pasado's as being a great place for their animals. I volunteered for almost 2 years and started to slowly notice that things were not the same and the care of the animals became 2nd to making a high salary. They sell themselves as a no kill shelter but they killed a young, vibrant blind and deaf dog named Rio in Dec. He had been at Pasado's for way too long and not much was done with him except for a few dedicated volunteers who paid him attention. He was wanted and there were adoption requests but Pasado's was afraid of liability because he had bitten a few people. He was frightened, left alone way too much and he needed something major to help him adjust. They hired a trainer but for a short time and it was too little too late. Several volunteers suggested Best Friends Animal Sanctuary,where they have amazing one on one intense training for dogs in need. Pasado's never even called them for help and then lied about it and said they contacted them. The CEO Matt and his friend and board member Stacy Martin stuck together and decided to put Rio down. The volunteers received a letter on a Friday that they were going to put him down and through out the weekend several of the volunteers tried to stop this and wrote to Pasado's and told them there were 3 adoption requests and they should not do this. Pasado's said they would give it more time but on the following Thursday without warning ,they killed Rio, scared and alone. At least 8 volunteers have been banned from the property. While the CEO makes $175,000 a year , the care for the animals have gone down hill and the adoption rate is nill. They still have the same dogs they have had for months on end with not prospect of a home. No mops were provided to clean the cabins after asking several times. I used my feet and towels with the cleaner to clean the floors but Matt makes $175,000. Salaries went up over a 1/2 million from 2009-2010 and revenues went down over 1 million. They are selling land and have several other locations now in Pierce County, Whidbey Island and an office in Clinton, WA. Why don't they take care of all the animals at the Sultan location? Shame on you Pasado's. I fund raised for you, did adoption events and helped in the office and with the dogs. I am now with another wonderful organization that just adopted out 16 dogs in One Day. Now that is impressive and the dogs and the new owners are happy. How many adoptions has happened at Pasado's, not much if any. I feel for the dogs and animals left behind. Do not donate to this organization. Do your research!!!!!!
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?
A lot
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
3 people found this review helpful
February 12, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
PASADOS SAFE HAVEN FINALLY RELEASES 2010 990 Form. Corruption at an animal sanctuary, bilking donor dollars to support salaries! Who in their right mind would give them a dime?
2009 spent $674,181 on salaries and 2010 they spent $1.217,292 million on salaries, $543,111 more in salaries!
Revenue: 2009 2.307550 million 2010 1.403346
Less animals, Less Revenue and More Salaries
Overall they lost almost $660,000 for 2010 but they filled their own pockets nicely.
Cant wait to see 2011 reports. 990 located on their website, or you can simply google pasadossafehaven 2010 990 form and it pops right up.Also people should know they have very few animals on the property and the 10-15 dogs they do have on the property have been there for over a year....I just pray they don't try to take anymore innocent animals...I wouldn't let my dog spend the night there!
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?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
February 12, 2012
My family and I have donated both our time and money to this outstanding organization. I have visited Pasados Safe Haven a number of times and I am always impressed by the great care, love, hard work, and dedication that I see from the staff and volunteers. The animals are very well cared for and loved and that is evidenced by anyone who takes the time to pay a visit to Pasados. I believe in their mission and what they have achieved and continue to achieve. They are an incredible organzation and I am so grateful for all the positive things they are doing to protect the animals. We need more organizations like this!!! My family and I will continue to support Pasados and all of the great work they are doing, I encourage anyone out there looking to get involved in an animal welfare organization to choose Pasados! Whether you can donate your time or money, or both, Pasados could use the help and you can rest assured you are donating to a truly amazing place.
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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?
2011
My Role: Professional with expertise in this field & Volunteer training - on and off, 10 years. Sanctuary 101 training - 4 years, Cruelty investigations - 10 years, Undercover investigations - 5 years, Construction assistance - 2 years, Supporter - 11 years, Manager - 6 months.
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2 people found this review helpful
February 12, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I debated whether to write a review, but think I shall weigh in. I was involved with PSH almost since it's inception (1998) and was even honored to be asked to help cut the ribbon on their Grand Opening. In time, I ended up starting my own sanctuary in Oregon (still running), went through the Animal Control Officer's Academy, became a Deputy Sheriff for animal abuse investigations, a paid speaker on animal rights issues, (all fees paid donated back to sanctuaries), and was generally considered an expert in the field. I mention these bona-fides as a preface to the following: In 2009, Susan Michaels, (at that time considered by me to be a close personal friend as well as mentor), asked me to take over the Operations Manager postion at PSH during a time of crisis and after a tumultuous past couple of years. This position effectively put me in charge of the entire organization through the tough times that followed. (See the Everett Herald stories on PSH that were in the works before I came onboard as well as the office of the Washington State Attorney's General investigation). At that time, Susan Michaels, (the co-founder), was starting to come to a declining personal state and soon thereafter started becoming increasingly irrational. My job was to keep the sanctuary functioning effectively and this I did throughout the near mortal wounds it recieved from the negative publicity surrounding not only the Herald articles, but the irrational purgings of many good and talented people ordered by Susan in her diminished state. (Susan maintained President status at that time though many had tried to remove her or diminish her responsibilities.) Eventually, I came to a point where I no longer felt I could continue effectively and, (as many had before me), quit the position. Given my, (up to that point), long time friendship with Susan and my over a decade of commitment to her, the animals and the sanctuary, this was a particularly difficult decision. However I found myself in agreement with many aspects of what the Herald story and the State of Washington's investigation had revealed and felt I could not do otherwise. Chief among these, (among other claims), was the consistant and pervasive lack of concern for those who worked and volunteered so tirelessly at PSH for the animals at little or no pay. They did it out of love and concern for the animals and recieved little if any of that back from Executive management. After I left, one of the long time volunteers, (with no experience other than volunteering that I had ever heard of), took over as Chief Operations Officer, (basically the same position I held), and I understand her former boss, (a prior non-executive manager with no experience at all that I know of), became the CEO. Yet I understand that they managed to acquire salaries that are more than double the salary that I and previous managers had recieved. One thing they did manage to do was to remove Susan from any decision making positions within PSH. What they have also managed to do (in my "expert" opinion), is to dilute the organization to little more than a husk of what it used to be. Repeatedly I see animal cruelty cases in the news that before would have seen PSH all over them, go unanswered by PSH. Other organizations have stepped in to take up the slack. Gone are the heyday of the mobile spay and neuter clinics. Gone are the dreams of providing low income pet owners low-cost medical services for their pets. Gone are the dreams of going National. Gone are the classes for aspiring Sanctuary founders. Gone are the days of making sweeping changes in the law for the sake of the animals, and gone too are most, (if not all), of the personnel that had not only the experience to make a difference, but the commitment and fire to speak and act on the animals behalf. The "Gone" list is indeed long. Oh assuredly, PSH continues to function and do some good, (salaries must be paid after all), and to those newly indoctrinated it still appears impressive and vibrant. But to those of us who MADE it what it was, (in many cases in spite of Executive Management), it is only a shell of it's former self and a promise un-fullfilled. There was such a great chance, once Executive Management was removed to get rid of the "cancerous" parts, yet continue with the mission and that opportunity has been wasted. It has instead, (it seems to me), to have become a place for opportunists to line their pockets while doing the minimal effort to keep the wheels turning. I'm not saying current management is evil or even that they don't care. But they are inexperienced and I believe, perhaps a bit opportunistic. And they may try to shoot me down as to what took place, but I have the compelling evidence, which, when I was contacted by the Attorney General's office, I provided to them for their investigation. In the end I've moved on and look back on my many years there with many fond memories and not a few regrets. Regrets of what once was and is no longer. Regrets of a dream unfullfilled. Perhaps you who have taken the time to read through this can make it better. But I tend to believe that in order for it do be so, that it first must be led from the top, by experienced, driven, commited leadership. (Cutting their pay in half would certainly show such commitment, as many more experienced and passionate people in those positions have been paid even less than that!) But as I said, perhaps you can! For my part, until things drastically change, I cannot support them, and that is yet another regret.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
From it's beginnings as related.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get in experienced management and re-define organizational mandates to be more in line with it's original one.
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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?
2009
What is unique about this organization?
Promise un-fullfilled, yet the foundation still remains.
February 12, 2012
I have been a long time supporter of Pasados Safe Haven. Each time I am there, I leave feeling thankful there really are good people out there devoting love, time, patience, hard work and dedication, to animals that have been so hurt and/or neglected by humans. Over the years our family has adopted 2 dogs and a cat from Pasados, who would not be part of our lives had Pasados not stepped in to save them. We are forever grateful! I have been extremely happy to see the positive changes made over the last couple of years, as the world evolves, so must places such as Pasados. There is a heightened sense of urgency to get things done and to do them right. The overall feel there is that loose ends have been tightened up, with clearly laid out proceedures to follow when on the farm, clear goals they are looking to achieve, and strong management. I feel my time and dollars are going to a 5 star non profit.
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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
February 10, 2012
I have been a regular volunteer at Pasado’s Safe Haven for over 10 years. I personally observe the wonderful care the dedicated staff and volunteers provide for these special beings. The management is dedicated to rescuing abused domestic and farm animals. They have worked tirelessly to prevent animal cruelty, and have gotten several laws passed in Washington State. I have seen so many animals arrive who have been very abused or neglected, and are so frightened. Fortunately, with all the loving care from the staff and volunteers, they begin to trust their human caretakers, and seek out their attention. The sanctuary also provides continuous veterinary care each animal. Pasado’s is also unique because they care for rescued farm animals, who would otherwise most likely be euthanized. Pasado’s Safe Haven is truly a safe haven and voice for those who cannot defend themselves. It IS a 5 star charity!
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
February 10, 2012
I recently joined the board at Pasado's. I joined because in the animal welfare arena, Pasado's is uniquely focused on a strong anti cruelty charter for both companion and farm animals. I met Stacie (COO) over a year ago when I first toured the farm and I continue to be impressed by the passion and dedication Stacie brings to her job. Pasado's employees work in jobs that demand round the clock access and urgent, practical solutions to the harsh problems posed by the hardest forms of animal rescue work. These people are unrelenting in their commitment to better the lives of the animals in their care, and through legislation and good example, protect the lives and circumstances of countless others. The recent expansion to Whidbey has enervated dozens of skilled volunteers who, in a very short time, are already becoming a voice for the animals in Island County. The new board president is an exceptionally competent, professional leader who will partner with the board and the management of Pasado's to creatively and effectively problem solve. The current staff at Pasado's has done an excellent job preserving the safe haven that is promised to every animal that comes through the gates. I look forward to serving with and for these people and the animals.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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