I assume since you have chosen to read this blog, you support and are interested in the state of affairs of our county shelter. To avoid confusion, this website addresses the Manatee pound, not non-profit rescue groups like Humane. This was written to educate the public as to some critical changes that need to be made in order to IMPROVE MCAW. It focuses on the wastefulness of county resources designated for this department.
Staffing and management are the most significant key to a well functioning organization. Bad hires do not inspire good hires, they corrode the fabric of an organization and add to more bad hires.
This is NOT bashing or criticizing the shelter. This has nothing to do with politics. It is written with the strongest of support to dedicated hard working men and women who pour their souls into the proper care of these homeless animals. So many do some very laborious tasks in keeping these animals thriving in an otherwise dilapidated overcrowded facility. They should be commended and appreciated. Not everyone is willing or capable of working at a shelter, much less one that is in such disrepair.
We are all anxious to see the construction of a new shelter at the Bishop estate. We have the funding, we have the plans and we have the support of the public. After all, it’s our tax money that is going to build this beautiful facility. While we are under physical construction we need to focus on the construction of a strong and knowledgeable management, good staffing, and a supportive volunteer team. It is with deep appreciation that we acknowledge some exceptional staff. They have enriched the burdensome lives of the shelter animals with heart, empathy and dedication.
Thank you for a job WELL DONE… Lauren Tryon, Joanna Bassett, Nikki Szlamnik, Jessica Pilarz, Sierra Yulfo, Ashley Harp, and Kyle Purvis. #teamwork!
I am not a volunteer, I am however a tax paying resident, and an extremely concerned and frustrated one. I abhor paying salaries to people who are not doing their job, people who sabotage the hard work of others, people who have no respect and exploit the hard work of others, people who actually make more work for others, and especially people who have no business having custodianship over defenseless animals.
This shelter winds up with some very inappropriate hires because they are improperly vetted, not by the shelter, and certainly not by HR. These new hires are given no direction at their new job, basically left to figure it out, do as they want, answer to no one, and steward their own ship. This has been the culture within the department for years. In the deposition of Janine Davis (Daniels vs Manatee County et al), attached in the Davis section of this website, she clearly explains how she was given no training, and allowed to do whatever, whenever she wanted.
In further support of bad hires, the shelter flippantly hands out close to five star reviews to management with no accountability or criticism about job performance. There is no paper trail of any accurate evaluations. Consequently, this county remains saddled with some deadbeat hires and some dangerous, arrogant hires. Only when they choose to leave on their own accord, are we finally relieved of their term. Perfect example is Shelter Manager, Chris Vergallito whose reign of terror spanned from 2019 until she quit in 2022. Her employment record depicts close to five star reviews year after year with no disciplinary comments. Two weeks after leaving, Chris asked to come back. MCAW had not yet hired her replacement. Chief Brown texted me “she must be drinking the koolaide”.
Point being, nothing changed in two weeks. She was evaluated as a glowing Manager and her reinstatement should have been welcomed. Had she not decided to leave, this county would still be suffering with a shelter manager “drinking the koolaide.”
From 2/28/20 to 3/1/20 Chief Brown, Manager Vergallito, and Volunteer Coordinator Davis emailed each other how they were receiving numerous complaints from the public regrading the rudeness of Assistant Manager, Kim Bastien. Her employment record and evaluations suggest no complaints were ever filed, in fact, another almost perfect score. Shelter philosophy; the public is discounted. These emails are exhibits from the Davis deposition attached.
There are some exceptional workers at MCAW. These people deserve glowing reviews and promotions. By over valuing those who do not, it minimizes the hard efforts of those who have earned our support and respect.
Bad workers make more bad workers, they don’t make more better workers… and bad managers pollute any organization. We need fresh, exciting, dedicated, and above all PASSIONATE people…. certainly not anyone who is geared for a free ride at the reckless endangerment of others including the animals. Fueled by facts and supporting documentation, photos, emails, messages, posts and exhibits, CLICK the links below to get acquainted with our outstanding Bad Hires that feed on our budget and contribute little to the burdensome life of our county homeless animals. If so outraged, share that with the people who run this county, as they too, might be unaware.
