By for WBTV
NEWTON, N.C. (WBTV) – Several dozen people brought their signs and their pets to a recent rally in downtown Newton, protesting the management of the Humane Society of Catawba County.
“Fire toxic leadership,” read one of the signs. In attendance were numerous former employees, turning out to the rally after an online petition garnered hundreds of signatures demanding change from the top of the nonprofit.
“It was a very toxic environment,” former head veterinarian Dr. Kimberly Ball told WBTV in an interview. “This is our chance at change.”
Today, the shelter’s website greets new visitors with a message acknowledging the turmoil.
We understand that there have been difficult stories shared recently by past employees and others who have had experiences with our organization,” the message reads. “We recognize the strength it takes to speak out, and we want to begin by saying — we are listening.”
Executive director put on leave amid toxic workplace allegations
On April 8, the organization’s board of directors placed longtime executive director Jane Bowers on administrative leave, pending a third-party investigation.
When asked in late April who that investigator was, board chairman Lanny Huffman said in a statement that they were “close to” hiring that entity. The investigation was authorized at an emergency board meeting earlier this month.
“Over the last couple of weeks, the Board has been actively listening to feedback from current and former employees, volunteers, donors, adopters, and the broader community,” Huffman added.
Former employees allege workplace abuse
Three former employees interviewed with WBTV, detailing themes of a toxic work culture and pressure to care for animals in ways that the staff viewed as unethical.
Dr. Ball, the former head veterinarian who resigned last year, shared an email with WBTV from early 2024 when she outlined numerous concerns with the workplace. The email chain showed Bowers acknowledging receipt of the email and promising a follow-up meeting. Three weeks later, Dr. Ball resigned, writing in a responding email that Bowers was not interested in addressing the concerns.
“My authority was undermined completely on many different things,” Dr. Ball told WBTV.
A trigger for her departure, she said, was careless handling of anesthesia around pregnant colleagues.
For other employees, that trigger was what they viewed as excessive euthanization.
“I would be made to feel that I had to euthanize animals or I wasn’t pulling my weight,” former vet tech Crystal Rothrock said. When asked if she had euthanized animals she felt shouldn’t have been put down, she said she had.
“The one time I tried not to at the Newton facility…they came over that afternoon and called everyone into a room and said they wouldn’t stand for it, they got the cat and euthanized it,” she said.
A third former employee agreed.
“There’s been several cases where they didn’t want to treat them and automatically euthanize them, not giving them an option to live,” said Abigail Sandchez. Her concerns stemmed from the euthanization of animals that had curable diseases.
Data on humane society’s performance
Biannual state inspection records for the organization, dating back several years, have continuously found them to be in compliance on euthanization and most other issues.
Board chairman Lanny Huffman did not directly answer questions about the allegations that employees laid out. He did, however, share that the nonprofit’s records show 37 animals euthanized out of roughly 3,000 in the past three years. (State regulations does not require them to keep data on euthanization for longer than 36 months.)
Another issue that former employees shared was animals dying in the spay and neuter clinic due to an increasing volume of surgeries.
“There has been a lot of animal neglect and cruelty and abuse that has been basically monitored underneath the director,” Sandchez alleged.
Data that Huffman shared shows 13 deaths in the past two years out of more than 25,000 surgeries performed. State regulations only require two years’ worth of that data; employees allege that the issue has been ongoing for several years.
“The board of HSCC is actively working to be as transparent as possible throughout this process,” Huffman added.
“Our goal is to ensure that HSCC continues to serve the animals and people with compassion, professionalism, and accountability in the years to come.”
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