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MILLVILLE, Cache County — Volunteers who once worked with Four Paws Rescue are now accusing the organization of mistreating cats and dogs, something the organization's president flatly denies.
The group of volunteers addressed their concerns in a letter to the president of Four Paws, Lisa Shaw.
"We are extremely worried that the number of animals has gotten out of hand and is too large for one person," the letter states. "We are all in strong agreement that a no-kill philosophy cannot be used as an excuse for animal cruelty, no matter how well-intentioned."
Several of the former volunteers told KSL that cats and dogs were, at times, being stacked in small crates for extended periods of time. Shaw, however, said she had nothing to hide when a reporter showed up at her doorstep. She immediately offered to let us see inside her Millville shelter.
"These disgruntled volunteers," Shaw started. "It's really interesting. They say I've never let them out here. They've never asked."
As Shaw opened the front door to the shelter, a group of about a half-dozen dogs rushed up, eager for attention. Many others were inside fenced areas, both inside and outside the building. Several were tied down outside the facility.
"Back in the '90s, so many animals were being euthanized in Cache Valley," Shaw explained. "I just saw a real need, and started doing this and it just escalated."
Former volunteers, however, claim that Shaw is good at moving animals to other locations before people stop by. In full disclosure, KSL TV did not give Shaw any heads up that a reporter was coming. However, she did give another media organization a tour shortly before we arrived.
The letter from the former volunteers references large numbers of animals that they say were being kept at Shaw's homes and other locations.
"Despite this over-crowding and pending legal and welfare issues, you continue to accept and even solicit new animals," the letter reads. "We cannot understand this behavior, and we can no longer support it."
The group then asks Shaw to stop accepting new animals and work to quickly get others adopted out to improve conditions. They also ask that she agree to regular inspections for better transparency.
Stacey Frisk, director at the Cache Humane Society, said she has no idea if the claims former Four Paws volunteers are making are true simply because she said requests for inspections are frequently turned away.
"We are a part of a coalition, organized under Best Friends Animal Society, and they have submitted multiple requests for site inspections over the past year," she said.
When asked about transparency, Shaw replied rather matter-of-factly, "Are you here?"
Shaw did allow an animal control officer to inspect her home recently. According to Millville City records, there were several dogs and 51 cats at the home at the time, a violation of city ordinance. Shaw told KSL she was unaware of the ordinance and is working with the city to get a permit for her home to serve as an animal foster home. If approved, the city council would determine how many dogs and cats she can have there.
