These words are often repeated in our culture, including the animal welfare community – so frequently, in fact, that they risk becoming clichés. But true integrity in animal rescue is not just about using the right language; it’s about action, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practices.
Integrity in rescue means prioritizing the well-being of animals above reputation, convenience, or personal ego. It requires making difficult decisions with honesty and courage, even when those choices are unpopular or challenging. It means setting aside personal gain in favor of the greater good.
Accountability is a fundamental aspect of integrity. Ethical rescues take ownership when things go wrong. They do not shift blame, deflect responsibility, or portray themselves as victims. Mistakes are inevitable, but what defines an organization’s character is how it responds – acknowledging errors, making corrections, and striving to improve.
Integrity also extends to responsible operations. Rescues that lack accountability may fail to comply with licensing requirements, tax regulations, or basic financial management. A well-run rescue plans for expected expenses rather than operating in constant crisis mode, relying on urgent appeals to stay afloat. Responsible rescues allocate financial resources first to animal care, not to employee salaries. Sustainable, ethical rescues ensure their practices are legally sound, financially stable, and aligned with their mission.
Finally, integrity in animal rescue means fostering collaboration rather than competition. No single organization can save every animal, but by working together with transparency and ethical decision-making, rescues can create lasting change for animals and the communities they serve.
In the end, integrity is not just a word – it’s a commitment. A commitment to honesty, responsibility, and the animals who rely on us to do what’s right.
Unfortunately, not all organizations in the animal welfare community uphold the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability. A concerning example is Colorado’s second-largest rescue, which has demonstrated repeated failures in responsible and ethical operations:
- Accumulated 58 violations of its animal rescue license between 2019 and 2023, with 38 directly impacting animal welfare.
- Twice imported puppies with rabies into the state, with the second incident costing taxpayers and affected individuals over $500,000.
- Spent nearly as much on salaries and benefits as on veterinary care over the past three years.
- In 2022, while allocating $900,000 in salaries, exceeding its veterinary expenses, the organization reported a negative cash balance of over $300,000.
- Filed tax returns with questionable information and failed to respond to public inquiries regarding financial transparency.
- Engaged in legal action against animal welfare advocates, spending over $140,000 in legal fees in 2022 alone to silence criticism.
- Issued repeated urgent pleas for donations due to “unforeseen” veterinary emergencies – despite generating $5.6 million in adoption fees over three years while only spending $2 million on veterinary care.
Perhaps the most telling sign of this rescue’s lack of integrity is its response to accountability. Rather than addressing concerns and taking corrective action, it deflects blame, plays the victim, and resists oversight from regulatory agencies such as PACFA.
Unfortunately, many well-meaning supporters remain unaware of these issues and continue to fund an organization that prioritizes self-preservation over ethical rescue practices.
True integrity in animal welfare requires transparency, financial responsibility, and a commitment to putting the needs of animals first. When an organization repeatedly fails to uphold these principles, it is the animals – and the community – that ultimately suffer.