Association for the Reform of the Toronto Humane Society

To OPGT (Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee)

History of Dysfunction: 1972 to 1987

The following information was taken entirely from the public domain. Sources can be provided if requested.

The heading "Date" refers to the date of the event (approximate or exact)

Note: unless otherwise noted, all positions described within the following are with the THS.

Date	Event
1972	Teamsters strike at THS. A group of THS workers, who assisted in caring for the animals during the strike, band together to form Action Volunteer for Animals ("AVA"). Founder of AVA is Merlin Andrew, a member of the then "Women's Division" of the THS.
Jan11/79	Dr. Alan Johnson elected Director (remains Director in 2008); Tim Trow elected Director (remains Director & President in 2008).
Apr23/80	Wilfred (Bud) Walters elected Director (remains Director in 2008).
Apr82	Activists with AVA gain majority control of the Board of Directors. Tim Trow and 8 other THS board members are members of or associated with AVA. Tim Trow elected President (replacing Stephanie Brown who held presidency since 1972). Bud Walters newly elected Secretary Treasurer; Alan Johnson continues as Director; Merlin Andrew remains active member of "Women's Division" of THS.
Jun24/82	Robert Hambley becomes Director (remains Director and Treasurer in 2008).
FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE ELECTION OF THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNDER TIM TROW AS PRESIDENT:
Sep82	Long time THS General Manager Arthur Allibone, resigns - replaced by Michael O'Sullivan [Executive Director of The Humane Society of Canada in 2008]
Jan11/83	Within 4 months of the resignation of THS GM Arthur Allibone: John Ridout, Executive Director of 2 yrs at THS, resigns without notice. Michael O'Sullivan, General Manager, replaces John Ridout until replacement for Ridout found. O'Sullivan becomes the 3rd GM in 3 years.
Jan16/83	Toronto Star interviews Norman Wadge, THS Director. Quotes from Wadge: "He [Ridout] was caught between two factions on board which made it difficult to function" "...conflicts over policy have increased dramatically since the activists, under new president Tim Trow, gained majority control of the board at its AGM in April/82."
Apr12/83	At a meeting of the THS Board of Directors, the Board requests that Michael O'Sullivan conduct a management study of THS.
Jun83	This is the date of Michael O'Sullivan's 351 page management review of all aspects of the daily operations of the THS. Many aspects of the review paint an unfavorable picture of the state of affairs within the shelter.
Aug83	Within two months after the date of Michael O'Sullivan's 351 page management review, the following 5 THS Directors (out of 16) ask Mayor Art Eggleton to investigate THS affairs: Adelaide Reynolds, Lee Mink, Bob O'Hara, Harold Dale and Mary Mashinter They charge Senior THS Officers and supporting Board members with: fiscal irresponsibility: despite $115,000 deficit, board is proposing to spend $25,000 of the $200,000 left to the THS by Glenn Gould to buy one of his concert grand pianos neglecting animals understaffing: 3 senior managers have been fired or resigned and Board's officers have slated 3 others for dismissal a hiring freeze has left 4 departments without supervisors and a shortage of veterinarians, animal control officers and kennel attendants for 6 months demoralizing staff: 4 former employees are suing THS for wrongful dismissal poor business practices: friends and family of Directors are recommended for contracts and positions in the THS without open competition Board officers instructed staff to make travel arrangements for a Director to attend an Ottawa conference after the Board voted not to send a delegate improper conduct at meetings: the President (Tim Trow) records and prepares the minutes of board meetings, contravening the THS by–laws shifting the focus and resources of the society from a Toronto animal welfare organization to a politically motivated animal advocacy group Quotes from Director Adelaide Reynolds: "I'm appalled. I have never seen the society in such a bad state. The board has gotten rid of all senior staff, refused to replace anyone and the only ones suffering are the animals." "Someone has to help us because the animals are suffering and getting sick because we don't have enough staff for proper disease control... staff shortages have also meant delays in helping injured or stray animals. We're so short staffed that is harder to take care of the animals... They're fed and cleaned, but that's all... an increasing number of the dogs and cats for which the society finds homes are being returned sick. In June, about 43% were brought back for medical treatment compared to the normal 18 to 25%."
Circa Sep12/83	Three months after the date of Michael O'Sullivans 351 pg management review of THS's daily operations: Tim Trow sends a series of letters to Michael O'Sullivan which: Ask O'Sullivan to clean out his [O'Sullivan's] office Say O'Sullivan's resignation is effective that Wednesday at 5pm Say if O'Sullivan refuses to turn in his keys by Wednesday the THS locks will be changed
Sep13/83	In a Toronto Star article, Michael O'Sullivan denies he has resigned from THS. Bud Walters, THS Secretary and Treasurer, denies that O'Sullivan being forced to resign. The other non–dissenting THS board members say "they're shocked" at the allegations put forth by the 5 dissenting Board Members, and are backing Trow and his executive.
Circa Sep15/83	4 past THS Presidents send a letter demanding the resignation of Tim Trow and his three senior officers. The letter is sent to Mayor Art Eggleton, THS Directors, and 2 newspapers. The 4 past THS Presidents who signed the letter: John Ridout, Jack Ross, Gordon Gibson, Stephanie Brown (who was president from 1972 until 1982 when Tim Trow took over as president), Chief THS Vet, Angelo Filiplic, claims THS should be charged with cruelty to animals for keeping animals that come back suffering and sick. He claims the no–kill policy is actually killing animals.
Sep17/83	An Independent Three–Man Committee is formed to examine THS Chief Vet's allegations as well as those of the 5 dissenting THS Board Directors. The committee will look at THS's foster–care program, it's health procedures and a general overview of the situation at the shelter with a view to providing recommendations on possible improvements 3 Man Committee: Dr. Gilbert Brodeur, President of Toronto Academy of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Avery Gillick, President of Ontario Veterinary Association Toronto Alderman Tom Clifford
Sep19/83	THS Board of Directors meeting scheduled this date to discuss allegations. Michael O'Sullivan and his lawyer put in a bid to attend meeting but are not allowed to attend. Dissenting THS Board Member, Mary Mashinter, receives anonymous phone call telling her they'd "blow up her car – with her in it". As a result she does not attend Board of Directors meeting. At meeting, Trow wins Board of Directors confidence vote 9–4. Art Eggleton defers motion to consider cancelling city's $1.2 million contract for animal control services with THS
Circa Sep20/83	OSPCA (former "Ontario Humane Society") probes allegations of cruelty by THS. Tom Hughes is Vice–President of OSPCA. Ultimately OSPCA clears THS of neglect and cruelty. Art Eggleton will continue his probe of THS and promises report by Friday on whether City should continue using the THS for animal control services.
Oct83	City of Toronto "Executive Committee Report #43 clause 32" (dated Sep27/83) is adopted by City Council. This report outlines proposals to: create an Interim Management Committee at THS for 1 year; appoint an Interim General Manager at THS for up to 6 months; direct the City Auditor to perform an audit of the THS for the year 1982 and six months of 1983; and conduct an organizational review, develop and implement changes to deal with operational problems identified and examine and make recommendations as to future relationship between THS and City re animal control functions. The City also appoints Bud Connery, Manager of Environmental Health & Inspection Services at City's Public Health Dept. as Interim General Manager of THS (for 1 year)
Circa Nov22/83	Above noted 3–Man Committee provide findings on their investigation. They find THS so poorly run that healthy animals taken there are likely to catch disease. The report notes "Although impressive in appearance, the building leaves much to be desired". It is "dirty, smelly, overcrowded". The report refers to inadequate ventilation, lack of quarantine space, dirt, noise, unsanitary preparation of animal food. They recommend swift action to protect both the animals welfare and the taxpayers. The City appoints 5-man Interim Management Committees to run day to day operations. Committee members are: Monte Kwinter, former chair of Toronto Harbour Commissioners, City nominee Tom Greer, Executive Director of Management Services, City nominee Sandy Macpherson, Medical Officer of Health Two existing THS Board Members – Bob Hambley and Bud Walters. Tim Trow remains THS Board Chair but is not on the new Management Committee. In response to the reports findings, Tim Trow says: "As a volunteer board, we relied on our professional staff" to advise on what was needed in the animal shelter when it was built.
Dec/83	City's Management Consulting Division begins an organizational review commissioned by the above-noted Interim Management Committee.
Mar21/84	City Auditor submits two separate reports of audits of THS: one dated March 21, 1984 (of the audits for year ending December/82) and one dated six months ending June 1983. A summary report expands on some weaknesses in the THS system and is forwarded to Interim Management Committee on Aug. 22/84
Apr25/84	THS's Interim Management Committee adopts The City's Management Consulting Division 54 page report entitled "Toronto Humane Society Organizational Review" (which was developed in Committee from the findings of the consultants). The 2 THS appointees to the Interim Management Committee, Bud Walters and Bob Hambley, refuse to sign the report.
Circa May-Jun/84	Monte Kwinter head of above noted 5-man Management Committee presents the above noted 54-pg. report to a City Council Committee. The report notes that THS was in a turmoil because of mutual mistrust among warring factions on the board and staff. Records weren't kept properly and minutes of meetings were skimpy and less than objective. President Tim Trow says THS will have little trouble implementing the "sweeping reorganization" recommended by city-appointed Management Committee.
Circa 1984	Tim Trow resigns.
Circa 1985	City of Toronto takes over animal control functions from THS, including all licensing and bylaw enforcement responsibilities. THS will continue to provide the City with all required shelter services for dogs, cats and wildlife.
Feb/87	Bob Hambley is still Director but not an Officer Hambley and Public Trustee make application to Ontario High Court of Justice; Pellegrino Capone acts as Counsel for Hambley in the application. The principal applications accuse THS, under Vicki Miller (President): of using THS donations to fund political activity "Coalition Against Pound Seizures" and for improprieties of process during Jun86 Annual General Meeting ("AGM")
Jun5/87	Court rules for the following, in favor of Hambley, the applicant: Ontario High Court of Justice will appoint a person to have responsibility for all aspects of the next THS AGM THS to cover costs of Bob Hambley's application