Dear Editor,
Cindy Ganues at Cobb County Animal Control needs our help. The current animal shelter leadership has elected to discipline her not just once, but twice, for working during her off hours to save animals from imminent death. The first occurrence resulted in her receiving an eight-hour suspension. The second occurrence resulted in a recommendation for a 40-hour suspension. And who knows what the cost may be for a subsequent "violation"? Loss of a job she's held for over 30 years?
On the first occasion Cindy was punished, she was off work. She learned that three dogs had been sent unexpectedly to a local veterinarian for euthanasia. Cindy knew the dogs were healthy and adoptable. She asked the veterinarian to delay euthanasia while she reached out to rescue groups. One group agreed to help the dogs, but couldn't physically take them for a week. Cindy arranged for another rescue to pick up the dogs from the veterinarian and hold them for a week until the other rescue group could accommodate them. All three dogs were sweet and all were subsequently adopted. When shelter leadership found out what had happened, Cindy was disciplined for doing shelter business during off hours. Most shelters would reward this level of commitment, not punish it!
On the most recent occasion, Cindy again was off work. She learned about cats that were going to be euthanized if they weren't out of the shelter by the day's end. Cindy contacted rescue groups. A local group went to collect the cats later that day. The rescue group told shelter management that they learned about the cats from Cindy. Cindy was reprimanded and is now facing a 40-hour suspension. Just imagine how you would feel if a simple act of compassion resulted in disciplinary action and a significant financial penalty!
Cindy has a limited opportunity to appeal the 40-hour suspension. Please consider sending an email to Cindy's management, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, and the Cobb County Civil Service Board to share your personal experiences with Cindy-her compassion for animals, her tireless efforts to find rescue groups for the Cobb County shelter animals, etc. Please be respectful so that our frustrations regarding this unfair treatment don't make more trouble for Cindy.
Suggested distribution for your emails:
Cindy's management:
Sam Heaton <sheaton@cobbcounty.org>
Jeff Patellis <jeff.patellis@cobbcounty.org>
Don Bruce <donald.bruce@cobbcounty.org>
Shana Luke <shana.luke@cobbcounty.org>
Cobb County Board of Commissioners:
Tim Lee <TLee@cobbcounty.org>
Helen Goreham <Helen.Goreham@cobbcounty.org>
Bob Ott <Bob.Ott@cobbcounty.org>
Woody Thompson <Woody.Thompson@cobbcounty.org>
JoAnn Birrell <JoAnn.Birrell@cobbcounty.org>
Clerk of the Cobb County Civil Service Board:
Rebecca Whiten <rebecca.whiten@cobbcounty.org>
Cindy's attorney and her personal email
Constance McManus <constancemcmanus@yahoo.com>
Cindy Ganues <cynlganues@aol.com>
Thank you so much for your compassion for animals and for supporting Cindy during this challenging time.
Carol Donaldson & Jodie Richers
Dogs on Death Row
Do you believe animal control was right to discipline Cindy for doing shelter business during off hours? Tell us in the Comment Box below.
City employees following the status quo.
Shame on those who did this, and shame on those that haven't corrected this stupidity, what messages does this send to our country, you can help hut only during the hours of M-F 9-5. No wonder Americans don't go above and beyond anymore.
Cindy Ganues at Cobb County Animal Control. I understand she has been disciplined twice for working with rescue groups to help find homes for animals instead of allowing them to be euthanized. And all on her own personal time. Isn't this the type of person we want holding a position like this? She should be applauded, not disciplined. My God! People like her are so very hard to find. Compassionate, and loving towards these poor thrown away little animals that can't speak for themselves. In the eyes of God, as well as these animals, she is an Angel, right here on earth. Please reconsider your position on her activities involving her efforts to find loving homes for the poor cats and dogs with no one else to come to their rescue. Please remedy the actions taken against Ms. Ganues.
There is going to come a time when karma will get these people. There is also going to be a time when EVERY SHELTER in this country becomes a no kill shelter and that is the way it should be. Maybe if the laws were stricter on spay and neuter and puppy mills, we would not have this issue. But any true rescue person knows that the puppy mill kindgoms, the HSUS and the AKC are all in bed together. As for Cindy?? If this woman is suspened for doing the right thing?? You can pretty much plan on not only a demonstration of many animal rescuers;but you can pretty much count on a lawsuit.
Cobb County Building A 100 Cherokee Street - Marietta