Carolyn Parker, President of the Cayman Islands Humane Society, after getting through one problem regarding a revolt from some dog walkers who refused to sign a waiver (see iNews Cayman story today “CIHS clarifies volunteer agreement”) faces another one from a petition calling for her removal.”

The petition says:

We are requesting your support in demanding the resignation of Carolyn Parker from her position as the President of the Cayman Islands Humane Society (CIHS)

(Please join our Facebook Group to see latest updates)

Carolyn Parker was recently responsible for sending a much loved shelter dog, NingNing, to be killed without following any of the CIHS policies or procedures.

There was no warning or communication that this was to happen. The  Director responsible for the shelter was  informed by a VOLUNTEER that NingNing had been taken to the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to be killed.  She immediately called the DOA to try and save NingNing, but it was too late she had already been killed. Her actions clearly demonstrate that she was not informed of Carolyn Parkers’ decision and that she definitely did not agree with it.  She is also not the only Director who did not agree with this decision.

Carolyn Parker justified her actions by saying “NingNing was unadoptable and had been involved in several dog fights at the shelter” it is not disputed that NingNing had been involved in a few altercations with other dogs in the shelter, but this is far from unusual at the CIHS.  This has happened in the past with many dogs, yet they were given the chance of evaluation and training by one of the islands most respected dog trainers who has been very successful in rehabilitating dogs with such anxieties in the past, so why was NingNing not given this opportunity, as is normal CIHS procedure? NingNing was even featured in a recent press article and described as “a large bouncy bundle of enthusiasm, happy go lucky and a crowd pleaser” which is a correct description, she was a very loving and sensitive dog who loved cuddles and was not in any way human aggressive ever.   She was also a favorite with volunteers who walk dogs weekly at the shelter who were devastated at hearing what happened.

What evaluation techniques and what training has Carolyn Parker had to suddenly and without warning decide ON HER OWN that NingNing had changed from “a large bouncy bundle of enthusiasm, happy go lucky and a crowd pleaser” to  “unadoptable”.and should be killed immediately?

In our opinion this incident has clearly demonstrated that Carolyn Parker shows no compassion for the animals at the shelter and has a complete disregard for her fellow Directors, members of the CIHS, and the animals themselves.

People who work with animals should  have a true love  and compassion for them and should do everything in their power to save an animal before allowing it to be put to sleep.

Please Sign this petition to demand the resignation  of Carolyn Parker and  help us get a caring, dog loving President for our much loved Humane Society so we in turn can help our four legged friends and make their lives a little bit better.

To:

Carolyn Parker, President

In light of recent events, we implore you to resign your position as President and Director of the CIHS effective immediately. Your decision to have NingNing put down without following the shelter procedures/policies has come to our attention. We do not believe someone who acts in this way should be responsible for the well being of our beloved shelter animals. Nobody who makes such decisions without following shelter policies should have the honor of being President or a Director responsible for the well being of these animals.

We would like you to make way for a more suitable President to take over, whose first priority is the welfare of the animals in their care. We do not believe you deserve this position any longer after your actions have proved you not capable of making informed decisions in the best interests of the animals.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

END

However, the President of the Cayman Islands Humane Society got a vote of confidence from board members:

“We unreservedly support the actions of the President [Carolyn Parker], who has continued to put animal welfare at the forefront of all Humane Society actions, and has personally funded projects to the benefit of the Humane Society.”

They also said, “These allegations are unfounded, and are made by people in most cases not even residing in the Cayman Islands.”

Meanwhile, the Humane Society says a number of new additions had been made to the board including former bank director Kevin Sedgwick, Jackie Stirling returns as treasurer, attorney-at-law Rick Finley and professional business manager Wanda Rice.