Dallas Humane Society

Major changes coming to Dallas' animal shelter

Major changes coming to Dallas' animal shelter

Aug 20, 2011 (The Dallas Morning News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The operation of the Dallas animal shelter will undergo major structural changes in coming months in response to a damning report by the Humane Society of the United States and by the cruelty indictment of a top manager.

Nine months ago, the Humane Society sharply criticized the shelter for its handling of animals, citing as a major problem the dueling priorities of creating a compassionate center for pet adoption and controlling strays through the euthanasia of tens of thousands of animals each year.

Under a new plan that is getting cautious acceptance from animal welfare leaders, the city will expand the number of employees who euthanize animals, outsource cruelty investigations to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and hire temporary workers to do the constant cage-cleaning now performed by city workers.

The city also will hire more supervisors to manage daily operations.

Jonnie England, a longtime animal welfare advocate, said the plan is generally getting approval from local animal supporters.

"We have concerns across the board, but we are trying to be positive and optimistic and give this plan a chance to succeed," she said.

Advocates for city employees have a much dimmer view of the proposal, meanwhile.

Under the plan, 36 city employees will be laid off and replaced with 35 lower-paid temporary workers.

But Ernestor Pena, president of the North Texas Association of Public Employees, said he doesn't believe it's about saving money.

"I think this is a cleansing. This is the result of what happened last year with the kitten that was stuck in the wall. Now everyone in the department is going to pay the price," he said, referring to the death of a cat that led to criminal charges.

Dallas Business Owner ... - The Humane Society of the United States

July 29, 2011

The Humane Society of the United States and The Fund for Animals are pleased to announce the appointment of Benjamin Callison as director of Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas. Callison, who is owner and CEO of Mohment LLC in Dallas, has volunteered at the sanctuary for years, and assumed his new role on July 18.

“Ben’s education, business experience and commitment bring a fresh perspective to this extraordinary center,” said Debra Parsons-Drake, senior director of animal care centers for The HSUS. “The animals will truly benefit from this appointment, as Ben has volunteered at Black Beauty for nearly a decade, and knows and cares for all of the animals here.”

One of America’s largest and most diverse animal sanctuaries, Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch is a 1,250-acre ranch in Murchison operated by The HSUS in partnership with The Fund for Animals. The haven is a permanent home to more than 1,200 domestic and exotic animals rescued from research laboratories, "entertainment" operations such as circuses and zoos, captive hunting operations, factory farming institutions and from round-ups on federal lands. The sanctuary is one of six animal care centers owned and operated by The HSUS.

Callison, a graduate of Texas A&M University’s School of Architecture, will develop and implement long-range plans, and enhance outreach and programming for Black Beauty. He will oversee development, and work to raise the profile of the sanctuary within the local and Dallas-area business, civic and social communities. His Dallas business, Mohment LLC, specializes in healthcare, master-planning and commercial and high-end residential architecture with an emphasis on sustainable design. The business’ media division creates computer visualizations and animations for product sales, marketing campaigns and architectural design presentations.

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