This is to bring awareness and shine a light on the detrimental environment and inhumane treatment of the animals that Lt. Frank Macomber has created in our shelter. In September, the previous manager was placed on leave and city officials placed Police Lt. Macomber in charge as the interim manager, but he has no compassion for the animals and is putting pets' lives in danger!
Here are just a few of the reasons that he is not appropriate for this job:
1) He does not follow the mission statement of the SBC shelter. He is killing perfectly healthy animals even if they have potential adopters or rescuers waiting for them. Two months ago, the kill rate at our shelter was 11%. In the 60 days that he has been there, the kill rate has jumped to 25%.
2) He had covered fences installed in front of the kennels so the animals do not see outside visitors or kennel mates for companionship or comfort. Potential adopters cannot see in, and families looking for lost pets cannot see them. This jeopardizes the mental welfare of these animals, causing kennel stress, biting at the bars, turning circles, or cowering in corners.
3) He has limited where the volunteers are allowed to go, including the medical area, isolation area, and confiscated animals section. Those areas are not cleaned properly, and when they are, it's with a hose and the terrified animal is still locked inside its cage.
4) He has downsized staff so that they are over-worked. He has turned away volunteers so the animals do not have time spent with them during their care, and so he can euthanize animals without outside influence or eyes watching. He threatens staff with their jobs if they don't do as told.
5) The facility upgrades are only those that seclude the already terrified or injured animals. Dogs are mislabeled as aggressive based on breed and without taking into consideration how terrified they are.
We are profoundly saddened and angered by Lt. Macomber's actions and mis-management of our shelter. The animals have no voice to share their pain, no means to help themselves, and no reason to be treated so unfairly and unjustly. We must be their voice and we say loudly: "Do more, and do better!"
We strongly urge city officials to find a replacement for Lt. Frank Macomber. A proper manager should be someone who has compassion for all life. They should have the drive to aide in the rescue and re-homing of all animals suitable for placement. And they should care deeply about healing and nourishing the ill and weak. Lt. Frank Macomber is none of these things. He is not an appropriate fit for manager of the animal shelter!
