Jasper County Animal Shelter Director Terminated Amid Backdrop of Turmoil
At a time of turmoil in one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing counties, the Jasper Animal Rescue Mission has seen the dismissal of its Executive Director, Caitlyn Schake who had been at the helm of the organization for nearly a decade. Months of disorder characterized by a mass exodus of staff, overcrowding and underfunding had beleaguered the shelter before this development.
On the backdrop of these issues, Schake’s termination on Friday is the newest twist in this story. The board of the shelter, which has coped with its share of disruption over the past year, made the decision to “eliminate” the position for financial savings, leading to Schake’s abrupt firing.
Board Issues and Staffing Crisis
Amidst allegations of mismanagement and lack of foresight, the leadership board has seen extensive changes and dysfunction recently. Interim board chair, Michelle Hughes, disclosed the board’s plan to absorb the executive director’s responsibilities, along with hiring a new shelter manager and a veterinary technician.
Schake expressed astonishment at her termination, pointing out that she had received no indication of this forthcoming action. After her termination, many staff members handed in their resignations, leaving only a skeleton staff to take care of the 200 animals left in the shelter.
Aftermath and Response
In an effort to challenge the termination, Schake initiated a petition that calls for her reinstatement and an investigation into her dismissal. Through this petition, Schake raised concern that the shelter is being managed by individuals with little knowledge of animal welfare or operational procedures unique to the shelter.
Simultaneously, the remaining staff at the shelter were assisted by volunteers and board members in order to manage the care and adoption of animals, as well as the building’s maintenance.
State of Infrastructure and Future Prospects
The shelter, despite undergoing over $15,000 in overdue repairs, continues to grapple with maintenance issues. The aging county-owned building shares space with an overburdened population of animals. The Jasper County center has had long-standing issues with poor living conditions for the animals, including infestations and exceeding capacity.
Officials have turned their attention towards the construction of a new facility costing $8 million. To accomplish this, they seek most of the funding from the state, asserting that the present facility has become inadequate for the shelter’s needs due to the rapidly growing population of both the counties.
No specific timeline has been set for the exercise, but officials expect the construction of the new facility to take at least three to four years.
As the shelter attempts to navigate these troubled waters, the major concerns center around the welfare of the animals, the need for more experienced staff, and the urgency to secure adequate funding for the new facility. There is a pressing need for resolution as the situation continues to evolve.
