Humane Society Head Quits Director Accused Of Misspending Donations

The head of the Spokane Humane Society resigned Friday amid allegations that shelter conditions are deplorable and donations are spent on redecorating offices and not on animal care.

Paul Bosarge, a former Nevada journalist who was named executive director last July, said his resignation is effective March 31.

Bosarge wouldn’t disclose why he quit except to say, “Because of the nature of the allegations, I am seeking legal counsel. … I may be pursuing some legal action.”

Humane Society board president Susan Dar said Bosarge is one of the shelter’s finest managers ever and that he still enjoys the board’s support.

“I think he’s very capable and I’m sad to see him go,” she said.

Some employees and volunteers have a different impression of Bosarge, who joined the Humane Society after a short stint as executive director of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. of Spokane.

Before that, he was executive director of the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association and Nevada Cable Television Association. He also has public relations and journalism experience.

The problem is, some employees and volunteers said, Bosarge has no experience in animal care.

“He had no concern about the animals,” said volunteer Diane Corp.

“When Paul came in, the board of directors told him he was supposed to save money.”

Kennel cleaner Ericha Best, a full-time employee, said Bosarge recently spent hundreds of dollars painting his office, only to change his mind about the color and repaint.

Meanwhile, dogs were fighting through gaping holes in their cages, water bowls were freezing, and the kennel heating system was puffing out arctic air.

Best, who started work there last August, said despite the best efforts of rank-and-file employees, conditions were cruel. She was so saddened that she went public on a Spokane television station in January.

While some of the problems were fixed, Best said she was ostracized by Bosarge and board members, whom she said never visited the shelter before the hubbub.

“I just wanted to help the animals,” she said.

Board president Dar said poor shelter conditions existed years before Bosarge arrived. She blamed some of the problems on employees who recently joined the Teamsters union.

“Anyone can make allegations,” Dar said.

The shelter is non-profit and survives on donations and a contract with the city of Spokane to house stray dogs and cats.

, DataTimes