My Nonprofit Reviews

Lyingdog called all the other posts for Pal Humane Society a “smear campaign”. A smear campaign implies slander. Why would everyone here lie about their experiences? What good would that do? I understand that some of the situations presented by other posters many seem outrageous, even downright ridiculous. Sadly, I know from personal experience and observation that this is not the case. What you are reading happened and is happening. It’s true that PAL is currently run by only a few staff members, but hat has not always been the case, and the economy is not the only culprit. People need to start asking questions! Why is the turnover rate for volunteers and employees so high at PAL? Why, after 18 years, is PAL still struggling so hard just to make ends meet? Why has PAL had to move umpteen times in those past 18 years? Why does mentioning “PAL” or the name “Kathi Schlintz” in many community and civic circles result in waves of hostility? Why are there are so many disgruntled employees/volunteers. Why is everyone so upset with PAL CEO/President Katherine Schlintz?

Not providing wages owed to employees on posted date/time per the labor code.

Not providing legally required breaks to employees per the labor code.

Expecting employees to work overtime without pay, and suggesting terminations would result if employees did not participate in unpaid overtime.

Lack of training for employees’ assigned positions.

Lack of guidance/support for volunteers.

Misappropriation of funds including, but not limited to, grants, donations, bequests, program/membership dues, and fund-raising profits for specific programs.

The belittling and berating of volunteers, employees, clients, and board members, both publicly and surreptitiously.

Attempting to pit employees against each other through malicious untruths and gossip.

Attempting to pit employees against volunteers, and vice versa, through malicious untruths and gossip.

Attempting to pit employees against board members, and vice versa, through malicious untruths and gossip.

Not providing appropriate/timely medical care to animals entrusted into PAL’s care.

Blatant disregard for the dangers of animal overcrowding, particularly in regard to cats.

Favoring cats over dogs in regard to intake for the adoption program.

Unprofessional behavior including, but not limited to, tantrums, the sharing of sensitive/private employee/board member/volunteer/client information with other employees/board members/volunteers/clients, the malicious discussion of former employees/board members/volunteers/clients with current employees/board members/volunteers/clients, blatant condescension toward others, and an attitude of entitlement.

Not paying community businesses for services rendered in a timely manner, if at all.

Not paying rent in a timely manner, if at all.

Badmouthing said businesses/landlords when contacted and asked to make payment.

Constant project development and execution, including the spending of PAL funds, with little or no follow through.

And the list could go on and on. As stated by other posters, PAL was a great concept, and could have been a great organization, and it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that non-profits are run by saints who put the mission of the organization ahead of themselves. However, without an accountable president/CEO or an effective board of directors, PAL Humane Society will be what it has always been – a half-assed attempt at something that is really no more than an ego boost for Katherine Schlintz. And who bears the burden for this more than anyone else? Not the mistreated employees or volunteers, not the stiffed businesses, and not the duped donors. It’s the animals PAL claims to be helping. They are the ones who truly suffer. Think about that before you donate time or money to this organization.

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