LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — We've been calling our ongoing investigation "They deserve better" because the homeless animals at the valley's largest no-kill shelter deserve better conditions and better care.
Things have already improved for the animals in many ways, and now there's momentum for the caregivers, too.
If you adore dogs, care deeply for cats and want to give back to a vulnerable animal community, there are all kinds of options opening up at the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
They're literally breaking down barriers between staff and the public with new lobby construction that eliminates a glass-enclosed reception desk.
"The trend for pet adoptions is a friendly dialogue rather than an interrogation or just relying on forms," says Humane Network President Bonney Brown.
An important first step for the Humane Network after taking over as trustee at the shelter has been lowering adoption fees.
13 Action News investigates NSPCA
- Nov. 2018: Problems exposed at no-kill shelter
- Jan. 22: Pressure mounting against NSPCA animal shelter
- Jan. 31: Digging deeper into a money trail paved with secrets
- April 5: NSPCA under investigation by Nev. AG
- April 12: Humane Network appointed trustee of NSPCA in Las Vegas
- April 23: First look ainside troubled NSPCA kenels
- June 11: Animals caught up in ongoing NSPCA scandal
"It's much more transparent as far as what the fee is going to be when you adopt an animal. This is a non-profit and we need to make our money through donations from the public because the public cares about and supports our cause," Brown said.
There are also pay raises in the works for the positions NSPCA needs to fill.
"There's still a lot of work to do with the kitty cats."
There are openings for cat and dog care managers as well as animal caregiver and adoption counselor. Plus facility and communications managers.
"People need to be able to trust us that we're giving them accurate information," says Brown.
Trust has been severely eroded at NSPCA. After our investigation exposed alleged fraud and misuse of shelter money, the Nevada Attorney General began investigating.
And Humane Network took over as trustee -- working to bring back donors, rebuild trust and make the shelter the place it can and should be.
Wage increases, planned health insurance and increased personal time off are just a few of the benefits Humane Network is introducing.
Members of the public and current employees are invited to apply and applications are being accepted through July 24.
Click here to see the posted positions.
Humane Network provided the following information regarding the NSPCA restructuring:
"In the interest of ensuring that Nevada SPCA is able to meet the organization’s current challenges and in order to set the organization up for success in the future, Humane Network is undertaking a reorganization for Nevada SPCA.
What changes will be occurring?
We have:
· Created a clear new organizational structure.
· Created new roles and job descriptions (posted on the NSPCA website)
· Planned modest increases to wages for most positions.
· Planned health insurance to employees with 80% of the costs covered by NSPCA and 20% paid by employees who opt in.
· Increased total PTO time (for vacation and sick time) accrued by employees from two to three weeks each year and extended the period that PTO may be retained. (These changes will be made to the employee handbook in the near future.)
Application for jobs at NSPCA
· Members of the public and current employees are invited to apply for one or more of the new roles at NSPCA.
· Out of fairness to long term employees, if a current staff member is not hired for a role and if this individual is an employee in good standing, he or she will be eligible to collect unemployment.
Timeline
· Applications for the new roles will be accepted through July 24.
· Positions may be filled prior to this date should the ideal applicant be identified.
· The deadline may be extended if the ideal applicant for a specific position is not identified.
Employment Opportunities
This is a list of the open positions:
· Administrative Assistant
· Adoption Counselor
· Animal Caregiver (Cats, Dogs, or Small Animals)
· Cat Care Manager
· Communications Manager
· Dog Care Manager
· Facility Manager
· Program and Communications Coordinator
· Volunteer Coordinator
Update on Executive Director and Board of Directors
We have received 38 applications for the board of directors and 54 applications for the Executive Director position. The organization’s governing documents require the board to be between 5 and 13 individuals and we are aiming for a board of 9.
The selection process will differ for each of the two roles but in general will likely include:
· Phone screening interviews for candidates with an apparent strong match with the required experience and skills included in the descriptions for board and ED roles.
· Video conference call interviews with top candidates for the ED role.
· In person interviews, conducted by a panel for the top candidates for the board and with the finalists for the ED role.
· Reference checks, background checks and possibly requests for additional information from candidates.
