Katrina’s latest casualty: Noah’s Wish
By Gina Spadafori
April 12, 2007
Noah’s Wish, the group best-known for its work in animal disaster response, is shutting down amid an investigation by the California State Attorney General’s office into what happened to millions in donations related to Hurricane Katrina. The group’s founder, Teri Crisp, who led a change in the way animals are treated in the wake of disasters, has left the organization. In an article available only to subscribers, the Sacramento Business Journal reports that:
The California Attorney General’s Office has been investigating the organization since last summer, examining how Noah’s Wish used donations that might have been designated for relief efforts in the hurricane-ravaged area. The probe led to most of the nonprofit’s funds being set aside in accounts where they couldn’t be used for other operations.
The nonprofit contends the funds were used properly and said it is cooperating with investigators.
The group received millions in donations after news stories showed its efforts in an area devastated by the August 2005 hurricane. Former Noah’s Wish insiders allege those millions were intended to relieve suffering in the storm-battered zone but were improperly used for other purposes.
According to documents obtained by the Business Journal from a former employee, an accounting firm hired by Noah’s Wish to examine its books concluded that it would be impossible to conduct a reliable audit because so many records were missing from the period when the group and its volunteers were working on the ravaged Gulf Coast.
Documents filed by the nonprofit or provided by the former employee indicated Noah’s Wish had about $210,000 in revenue in the year ended June 30, 2005, and almost 40 times that much — $8.4 million — in the next six months.
Noah’s Wish is based in the foothills above Sacramento. Bringing up from the comments (thanks!): This link to a story in the local paper near Noah’s home base.
I’ve heard about this group and they are close to me. Someone told me not to donate to them, can’t remember why. I sent money to help little Isabella and the New Orleans pet hospital doing so much for the animals still left behind and suffering in New Orleans.
I hope they find the missing money and it goes to help the Katrina pets - as they still need to be remembered. So many are growing up and suffering and hungry and very much afraid of humans.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 9:42 am
I’VE been at my witts end what to feed our dogs+ on our local news they had this co. http://www.freshpetfood.com has any one heard of them???
Comment by MARY ANN — April 12, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Whatever comes from this investigation, let us always remember how magnificent the response to Katrina by individuals, websites, and many rescue organizations was. And still is, as in the case of ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and other groups still doing the good work there 18 months after the storm.
Comment by Rescue Mom — April 12, 2007 @ 10:01 am
They did help the animals in New Orleans. A lot. So I don’t really care if they lost the receipt for whatever they did with my donation. They are rescue workers, not accountants.
Comment by Andrea — April 12, 2007 @ 10:14 am
Sorry to hear this valuable charity is shutting down, but I believe the headline is misleading.
It’s not “Another Victim of Katrina” — it’s “Another Victim of Human Greed”. I realize that headline might not have as much “pop” as the one written, but the relevant issue is the money being stolen, not where it was supposed to go.
Comment by John Pierce — April 12, 2007 @ 10:16 am
The allegations from former employees are that the money was used improperly and for other purposes and not for what the Katrina Pets/Animals.
Just a guess but they probably had so much money they decided to spread it around to help other animals.
It’s not just a few missing receipts, but mishandling where the money went?????? but not to Katrina. So says the allegations.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 10:19 am
The money was stolen? Ummm….I didn’t get that. I sure hope it wasn’t stolen. Good Grief!
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 10:19 am
Oh, other purposes could be what? Fancy company cars and lunches at posh dinner houses….maybe. Life, go figure….glad it’s not me being tempted. Thre’s real advantages to being owned by dogs.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 10:21 am
I remember looking at this group’s site after Katrina, when I was deciding where donations would be best used. I hate that animals are always the last priority after a disaster.
There is an article that does not require subscription to read here: http://tinyurl.com/2kkafh
Comment by CatLady — April 12, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Thanks Catlady,
Tricky business - who knows what’s going on. People do all sorts of odd things.
By the way, the disaster for the pets is not over in New Orleans. Not at all. There are thousands of pets breeding and starving and living a life of hell. So they can still send the money on to New Orleans. Their excuse is lame.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 10:36 am
I’m local and I know of Terri Crisp from her prior rescue group, of which the same types of complaints were voiced about her then.
Her salary at Noah’s Wish prior to Katrina was miniscule, $6,200 and after katrina, shot up to $141,000!!
It is sad the VOLUNTEERS from this organization are going to be suffering from the greed exhibited by those in paid positions as there are some committed and caring people who helped many animals during Katrina. However, that does not in any way, give them the right to not use the donated money designated for Katrina on themselves, their toys, etc. There is still much suffering going on in Louisiana and that remaining money needs to be sent back where it was intended, to help the animals.
And from a very personal, factual (I was there and saw it) observation, at a local disaster preparedness event last fall, Noah’s Wish and Terri Crisp were there to demonstrate their response mode. If you have seen the movie Twister, you will get this correlation. They pulled in with every brand spanking new toy possible which included: 36 foot RV with satellite, airbrushed logos, pull out awning, flat screen TVs; Terri herself drove in a brand spanking new black Chevy Dually truck with logos; pulling a trailer with a nice new Quad runner; a boat; and an Intake Trailer (similar to the food booths at the state fair; and of course, camp chairs emblazoned with their logos.
Compare that with some of the other groups there, HSUS (who has their own issues with donated money) was there with a simple photo exhibit board; EARS with their modest display; Red Cross, nothing fancy.
I’m glad they were investigated and I hope the money finally goes to where it was supposed to. Maybe the already purchased equipment can be allocated to Louisiana SPCA to aid in any future disasters?
Comment by Becky — April 12, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Here’s the animal hospital working so hard to still help the Katrina pets now suffering and lost: http://www.southernanimalfoundation.com/
They helped little Isabella who slept in fiberglass and all her hair fell out and she was covered in a rash and sores and starving. This poor little girl dog. Her pictures broke my heart and I posted it on my frig least I forget. Then I posted the one after she was healed and sent to NY to live with a new family. I corresponded with the man who rescued her and worked to save her life.
Please folks don’t forget the lost New Orleans aanimals.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Becky, thanks for the info. People are such idiots.
Linda MS.
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Just heard Oprah today is going to run with the Imus story. We now know where her loyalities are.
I emailed her about the recall as I’m sure many of you have. Have been watching less and less of her program lately. Well, now it will be even lesser still.
Comment by VJ — April 12, 2007 @ 10:58 am
I gave to Noah’s Wish, USHS and a Louisiana Vet Hospital after the hurricane. This news made me sick to read this morning.
Side note: one more hour before the lying begins before Congress. Yes, I am being cynical, especially after reading the bio of one of the so-called “experts.” Just another cover up…sigh….Sue
Comment by AZSue — April 12, 2007 @ 11:01 am
I tried to find out how much of their contributions they are legally allowed to keep for operations - but their web site is down.
I know they can keep some money but to be foolish with it - like a hog in a new mud hole -seems nuts under the circumstances.
Pay Pal is the problem - yeah right!
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Oprah is doing an Imus Story - why? Oprah has dogs and loves animals - it’s her sponsers - she doesn’t want to offend them. What else could it be - she’s getting advice to stay away from this recall and pets dying. Imus is safe for her. Go figure.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 11:09 am
http://finance.google.com/fina.....&hl=en
Comment by Steve — April 12, 2007 @ 11:16 am
There’s a big difference between using funds to be ready for future disasters and spending it on extravagant things. I live in an area of Florida that was hit by 3 hurricanes in 2004, so I believe that part of taking care of today’s disaster is making sure that tomrrow’s doesn’t go the same way. But if you need an RV for repsonding to disasters, you don’t need to airbrush it. That’s the difference between being responsible with donations and wasting money, in my opinion.
Comment by CatLady — April 12, 2007 @ 11:25 am
VJ I’m glad you emailed Oprah. I think that if one of her staffers had a pet that died that could be traced to the tainted food, well then they might do something.
Which should be a question: What food does (insert Celebrity dog here)eat? Was that food subject to the recall? Could her dog/cat have died? The celebrity/pet intersection would be powerful in today’s celebrity obsessed world. Taco Bell Dog? What are you eating?
Also, remember Oprah was SUED by the beef industry for simply making a comment about hamburgers that was considered negative.
She said that was a very scary experience for her (Think about that! They scared Oprah!)
On a side note I believe Oprah met Dr. Phil through this process because his firm helped her and her lawyers with jury selection and other things.
But keep on writing, because you never know if your letter combined with an experience of a staffer or celebrity might trigger a show. But remember she has been burned before by the food industry.
Comment by spocko — April 12, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Isn’t greed one of the seven deadly sins?
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Not ONE major celebrity has stepped up to the plate for our cause.
Comment by Steve — April 12, 2007 @ 11:52 am
Lets back up a second here also and review the facts. The root cause of this whole fiasco.
The recall has exposed the fact that, although sold under many different brand names, most pet foods are created only a few manufacturers, such as Menu Foods, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The companies that own the brand hire these “contract manufacturers” to make their particular pet food. The contract company owns the processing plant where the food is made and rent out time on their production equipment to make each particular kind of food. Officials explain it is a much cheaper way of making the food because each individual brand doesn’t have to buy the expensive manufacturing equipment themselves.
The manufacturing company purchases the ingredients while the brand often provides the recipe or formula for their particular brand of pet food.
Hows that ChemNutra investigation going anyway?
Comment by Steve — April 12, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Steve, you are so right.
Celebrities - ??????
Let’s not forget the New Orleans aniamls hungry and lost.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
It is extremely important that we maintain RAZOR SHARP FOCUS on this case. Otherwise we are are a lost cause.
Think About It
Comment by Steve — April 12, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
So what are you saying Steve, not to mention the Katrina issue under a thread that Gina put up?
I do help and have helped but I can’t breathe this 24/7.
Linda MS.
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
I am not questioning your dedication.
If the Pet Food Industry gets away with this and goes back to business as usual.
WE WILL HAVE FAILED
Comment by Steve — April 12, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
I appreciate your pep talk. The tragedy in New Orleans and the still lost little pets will forever be in my heart.
I e-mailed Senator Dubin today, as his web site said not to send letters -too slow. I also posted a link for others to e-mail.
I also posted an e-mail I received to my question about the sugar and pop in pet food that Kathi wanted to know about. I will re-post it when I see she is back on the blog.
I think we are just holding our breath here for Congress - the news media too!
Linda MA
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
I’m not holding my breath for anyone. I am willing to sacrifice EVERYTHING to bring change and accountability.
I have my work cut out for me.
Comment by Steve — April 12, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Linda MA - so I take it you got a response back from Dr. Fox - that’s great, I wondered if that was his response, sounded like him. I really think his GE theory on the wheat sounds very plausible…
But you aren’t along about New Orleans either, I was there, and went back, and still help out. I think we can multi-task….
Comment by Becky — April 12, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
“If the Pet Food Industry gets away with this and goes back to business as usual.
WE WILL HAVE FAILED “,Steve said
I can’t forget that Paul Henderson,Menu’s CEO, was reported to have said in the early days of the recall that by the middle of ‘08
things would be back to normal,or words to that affect.
Yikes,I hope NOT.
Menu gives ‘normal’ a whole new meaning.
Comment by Lorna — April 12, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
They can not be allowed to self regulate any longer. This would be unacceptable.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 12, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
I think I am going to puke at Duane’s comments.
Comment by MonkeyKitty — April 12, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Thank you Becky, I’m glad others are still touched by the animals and pets without home, food, and love still hiding in New Orleans.
Steve, I only meant hold our breath for a few minutes - can’t hold it longer than that.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Sorry, that wasn’t Dr. Fox. It was another from the animaltalknaturally ….Dr. Fox doesn’t answer e-mails. He’s too busy. But the one I contacted is just a good and maybe better - he answers e-mails.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
For about eight months after Katrina, I volunteered to help Gulf Coast residents try to track where their rescued pets were, so they could be reunited. (These efforts are still ongoing, by the way, by a wonderful, dedicated, incredible group of volunteers because thousands of pets just “disappeared” and are still missing.)
Among the animal welfare groups that mobilized in the Gulf Coast to rescue animals from flooded, destroyed and abandoned homes, Noah’s Wish was the LEAST cooperative with owners and with the volunteers that were trying to help them. (Aside from PETA, who showed up briefly for PR and then left.) It was very hard to get information about what animals Noah’s Wish had. Furthermore, Noah’s Wish has never — even to this day — posted the majority of the animals they rescued on the Petfinder.com-sponsored Animal Emergency Response Network (AERN), a database set up to allow owners and volunteers to identify missing pets. Other organizations, such as Best Friends Animal Society, the HSUS and a large number of smaller, localized animal welfare groups, along with a good many private individuals, managed to use this system in a timely and effective manner, posting photographs and identifying information about specific animals on the database, resulting in hundreds of reunions. Noah’s Wish refused to participate.
One volunteer went to the Noah’s Wish Gulf Coast Katrina site where animals were being kept, armed with several photographs sent to her from Gulf Coast residents who had been displaced all over the country due to the fact that their neighborhoods were uninhabitable. The volunteer attempted to see the animals being held by Noah’s Wish for the purpose of comparing them to the owners’ photographs of their pets. The volunteer was denied entry by Noah’s Wish, and the owners themselves, of course, could not check because there was no way they could get back to the Gulf Coast.
When Noah’s Wish packed up and left the Gulf Coast, they distributed the animals in their care to shelters and humane societies around the country, telling these shelters that the animals were strays, owner-surrenders, or that they had been in shelters prior to Katrina. There was little evidence to support those claims because of Noah’s Wish’s refusal to share information, but these shelters were given the green light to adopt these animals out and never looked for their owners. I asked one organization locally who was to receive Katrina pets from Noah’s Wish if they planned to post their photographs on the AERN and they emphatically told me no, that they had been instructed (by Noah’s Wish) not to do so.
Bottom line is that Noah’s Wish actively prevented many owners from re-claiming their pets, and I was very disappointed in them for that reason. I am also disappointed to hear they mis-managed Katrina funds. Yes, they saved the lives of many animals and that is to be commended and it is appreciated. But they did not aid these animals in the best way they could have, nor as they should have. Animals know who their people are, and these particular animals had probably been quite traumatized. A reunion with their families would not have only been in the best interest of the people missing their pets, but also in the best interest of the pets missing their people. Several families I tried to help never DID find their pets again. I can’t help but wonder if any of those pets were “rescued” by Noah’s Wish. We’ll never know.
I have made some serious claims against Noah’s Wish in this comment, and I stand behind those comments 100 percent.
Comment by JM Leong — April 12, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
I’m still not clear what really happened at Noah’s Wish. If they used some of the money for other disaster related expenses, I don’t really have a problem with that. I gave them money after Katrina and if it got used for training for the next disaster fine. I they used it to pay their light bill, fine.
If they lined their own pockets - of course I object.
Comment by Andrea — April 12, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Oh and by the way, there is still a need for help for the Gulf Coast’s animals, which makes the mismanagement of Katrina funds all the more deplorable. The Humane Society of Louisiana, for example, lost their shelter in the hurricane. They have been working to rebuild and operating out of a temporary shelter. In January, their temporary shelter was destroyed by a tornado. This is an organization in crisis, and they could certainly use the money.
In addition, there is a group of very poorly funded individuals right now still trying to feed and care for the strays in southern Louisiana — a population that exploded enormously due to all the unaltered animals who were left to roam the streets following the hurricane. These individuals, too, could really use the financial help.
Comment by JM Leong — April 12, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
JM Leong,
Well all I can say is that some people in animal rescue think they know what’s best and they don’t. They think wrongly that their take on the animals is God-like and to heck with the owners trying desperately to find their missing family members. Poor (not wealthy) people don’t deserve them or something like that. They think the rules don’t apply to them - hence dogs misplaced as well as funds.
Like the case of the dog Pablo rescued from Katrina aftermath and the lawsuit from Arizona to San Diego. The new owners said they had more money and too bad for the woman on disability that had left her dog, heliocopter wouldn’t take her dog….so strange. A court battle ensued.
It’s morally reprehensible to not care about reuniting owners with their beloved pets and people and charities like Noah’s Wish need to be help accountable. Shame on them.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Sorry for the typos - held accountable. Shame on them.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 12, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Hi folks. I put up some video from today’s pet food safety hearing.
Still not the best stuff. That was Durbin questioning Ekedahl from Pet Food Institute!
Pet Food Safety Hearing Durbin questions AAFCO’s Nelson. Clip on Spocko’s Brain
Comment by spocko — April 12, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Darn I don’t know why that link doesn’t work.
Got to spockosbrain.com
It might work directly there.
Comment by spocko — April 12, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
I was going to contribute $ instead sent to another charity aiding the Katrina dogs. Now maybe glad I followed my instinct. Steve, whatever it takes, I pray you hang in and go for it all the way.
Comment by VJ — April 12, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
I run a no-kill kitten rescue in central Missouri. Since 1987 we have specialized in rescuing kittens under 5 weeks of age and fostering them until they can be placed. We have never received a salary or reimbursement for any expenses out of our own pockets. The total donations, including adoption fees, for 2006 were $238.00. Last year our total expenses for the rescue were in excess of $3000. In the grand scheme of things we are microscopic, but we have to compete with every other rescue and shelter for donations and adoptions. When something like this happens it leaves a bad impression of all of us and the public is less willing to make any donation. This hurts all of us, especially the animals. They are the ones who suffer both short and long term: those who needed the misappropriated donations and those in the future who have no place to go because shelters and rescues had to close their doors due to a lack of donations.
Comment by Cat mother — April 12, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Steve: If the Pet Food Industry gets away with this and goes back to business as usual.
WE WILL HAVE FAILED
Steve-I agree 100 %. No we don’t have to live and breath it. But it can not be forgotten. Did I see on your link that their stock is picking back up just today?
Comment by Jenny — April 12, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Cat mother — April 12, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Please post your information here. You sound like someone I would like to send a donation to.
All of my cash donations go to animal charities and all of my material donations go to the Salvation Army.
Sue
Comment by AZSue — April 12, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
Cat Mother,
I don’t worry too much about the people that aren’t honest - I love and care for animals and send my donations in to help. The only thing that really bothers me is that 40 million dollars could have gone a long way to save the poor animals still missing and hiding in New Orleans.
It doesn’t bother me that people are rich or even that there is greed, but it bothers me that their greed hurts the pets and needy animals. I guess greed always comes at such a high price.
Linda MS.
Comment by Linda — April 13, 2007 @ 6:33 am
I in no way agree with any monies being stolen from the organization Noah’s Wish. Yet, I have worked in the veterinary field for 8 years and have worked very closely with numerous rescue organizations. I see on a daily basis how incredibly hard people work to save the lives of animals we charish. Yes, Terry Crisp probably worked just as hard and felt she may have been entitled to some of that money. Not necessarily the best decision on her part. She has dedicated her life and sacrificed alot to rescue and protect many creatures. Before we can judge her, we need to ask ourselves, would we put our lives in danger and sacrafice everything for $6200 a year. I am going to go out on a limb here and say probably not. Most of the time people won’t even spend the 100 bucks to spay/neuter their own pets. So just remember before we judge too harshly how much good Teri Crisp has done and without her there would have been NO Noah’s Wish and NO animal rescue during hurricane Katrina. What would we have done then???
Jamie
Comment by Jamie — April 13, 2007 @ 11:21 pm
More like $141,000 a year! Judge we shall. We are supposed to judge and let the courts, if they are doing their job, intervene and protect the money and send it to help the pets still suggering in New Orleans.
To say if Teri Crisp didn’t go to New Orleans, we wouldn’t have animal rescue during hurriane Katrina is a ridiculous statement - your name isn’t Jamie - it’s Teri.
Linda MS
Comment by Linda — April 14, 2007 @ 8:36 am
Excuse the typo - suffering, not suggering.
Comment by Linda — April 14, 2007 @ 9:38 am
As someone who has worked in the disaster rescue industry and knows some of the inside scoop all I can say is that you have to do some investigation into who you donate to. This rule should also apply to sending funds to any agency involving animals.
When Teri was in EARS (Emergency Animmal Resue Service—part of United Animal Nations) there were some problems. She had a knack for attracting talented people and then not using them—most resigned. She subsequently began Noah’s Wish. When other rescue groups won’t work with similar services it should be a red flag.
I imagine she will surface again in another capacity—just remember—use discernment in your affiliations.
Comment by Diana Guerrero — April 24, 2007 @ 8:56 am
I have read most of the postings on this website and wish to point out a few things. It seems there are a few people and I do mean a few that are posting their opinions and assumptions on this website and using the page as their own personal broadcast posing their opinions as facts.
I am a rescuer that has worked with Terri for the last five years. First I am going to say that you should not judge her based on news you gathered through the grape vine or other rumor mills. You shouldn’t judge her until you have worked with her. I say this because working with someone in a disaster you can see who they really are especially when it comes down to situations where you may have to place your life in their hands. I know one thing I trust Terri Crisp with mine. The fancy vans you are ranting over took many,many years for the group to save up for. Many volunteers donated money of their own for the group to have a van. The new truck is also something the group saved for and is needed to haul the van which by the way carries provisions into disasters because in case any of you guineses didn’t know supplies are hard to comeby in cases like Katrina. I’d also like to ask all of you posting critisim out there, how many of you would work for no salary doing something to help people and animals? How many of you would have the drive to keep going to work for no money while your family struggles to make ends meet so that you can work for what you believe in? How many of you risked your own lives going into disaster areas like Katrina or did you just do your civic duty by writing a check? And you think that writing a twenty dollar check gives you the right to judge? Terri may not be the best record keeper but I can assure you that is all she is at fault for. Most of you who are judging her don’t have the right to do so. You don’t know the facts you just assume you do. Your gossip hounds. I will tell you when your knee deep in mud and decay with the smell of the dead clinging to your cloths, and your out there searching in buildings for any sign of life in structures that are anything but safe hoping the person behind you has your back. When you are so tired because you are going on 14 hours straight and there are still rescues coming in so you push yourself for the last bit of energy you’ve got. When you pull out an animal who has been suffering, trapped inside a flooded home and has survived against the odds or put a limp body of someones beloved pet into a body bag for the twentieth time that day and still find the will to go onto the next rescue and push back the tears…. Then you have the right to judge. Terri Crisp has stood by my side during all of this and more. I judge her for who I know she is and not just what reporters or uneducated people like to post on line. She is a good person and she has had some tough decisions to make and maybe she’s made a few mistakes. She has also pioneered the concept of Animal Rescue so it is because of her that you have rescue during Katrina. She isn’t the only agency but she brought it from a concept to reality when she started her first agency. I really doubt that many of those posting on this site can say you have had the guts to go into a disaster without being paid much less pay your own way to get there. I also doubt that I will see any of you out there on the next rescue I go on. I do know that you’ll continue to post your misinformed views because you have nothing better to do. Ask your self this.. when disaster strikes again what did you do that made a diffrence beside the easy thing to do which is giving a few bucks?
Comment by Rebecca — June 7, 2007 @ 12:21 am
Rebecca, you silly little girl. It is not an opinion that Terri is under investigation, it is a fact. It is not an opinion that Terri took money that was supposed to help animals and spent it on toys. It is not an opinion that she raised money to, among other things rebuild an animal shelter, and it is not an opinion that not a single cent of the MILLION dollars, out of the supposed EIGHT MILLION that she raised was never given to the shelter, that is a fact from the mouth of Slidel city officials.
To form the OPINION that she is a lying sack of dung based on the FACTS that are HER ACTIONS, well, that is an opinion,and I believe that it is an accurate one. Please wake up Rebecca, and I dont care if that is your real name or not. Take off your rose colored glasses, put down the bunny that you are kissing, let go of the tree your are hugging, and smell the coffee. Dont be so easily fooled by people whose words are sweet and whose actions are bitter. Judge people based on their actions not on their words, you will be taken less often. I suspect Terri is reading these posts, and if you are she, you will recognize the phrase ” Judge people based on their actions”, and you will know EXACTLY who I am. I said those words to you almost 2 years before you got caught lying, when I caught you lying to me. It is nice to see that just like the wheels on my car, what goes around comes around.
Comment by GUESS? — June 17, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
I heard on the news that Noahs Wish was at Tahoe and taking in dogs and cats (pets) displaced from the fire - I sure hope something is improving in that organization. Then Itchmo had another group helping out at Tahoe.
I sure wouldn’t let Noahs Wish take care of any of my pets….
Comment by Linda — June 27, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
GUESS – and the others who find it necessary to keep fuelling the fire without the facts.
It blows my mind what some of the people on here view as “fact”. Even GUESS who seems to believe he/she has information, is full of misinformation that is being promoted as fact. I’d like to just set the record straight on a few of GUESS’ allegations.
First of all, yes you are correct that Noah’s Wish was under investigation, which includes Terri Crisp. That is where your facts end, though. Noah’s Wish and Terri have NEVER been under investigation for misuse of funds, missing funds, fraud, etc. They have simply been investigated because they received a large amount of money and the AG was trying to determine what amount is restricted and unrestricted – PERIOD.
Quite a few of the organizations who took in donations during Katrina were also investigated.
They money Noah’s Wish spent on trailers and trucks was money that was donated SPECIFICALLY to purchase these items. This money goes in the “restricted” category. If they had spent this money on ANYTHING other than trailers and trucks, they would have been breaking the law. These trailers and trucks were part of “the plan” since Noah’s Wish began and were not a new idea because of available money.
Everyone seems to be pointing a finger at Terri Crisp. In reality, the board of directors are the ones that voted on each of these purchases. Not one large item could be purchased without going through the proper channels.
The million dollars that was raised to rebuild the Slidell Animal Control Shelter is still sitting there waiting for Slidell to be ready. The reality is that the location where the shelter was is in the flood plain and is no longer deemed an appropriate location. The new shelter is going to be built on property that the city has another facility on (mosquito abatement). They have been waiting for the other facility to move so they can break ground on the new shelter. The location the other facility was moving to ended up having some wetlands issues that they are working through, so it’s taken longer than expected. GUESS says, the money has not been given to the shelter “from the mouth of Slidel city officials” is a true statement. What you neglected to say is that the money was offered, but there was fear of the money going into “general funds” and not being used strictly for the shelter, so it was decided that Noah’s Wish should build the shelter and then donate it to the city to avoid a lot of red tape. This idea came from Slidell Animal Control and not from Noah’s Wish. As I said, the money is still there waiting for them to be ready to break ground on the new shelter. Throughout the AG investigation it was Terri Crisp that continued to remind the AG that this money was earmarked and she wanted reassurance that Slidell Animal Control would indeed receive it.
I believe that covers all of GUESS’ allegations, but there are a few others previous to this one that I thought was worth bringing up. The main one that keeps coming up is salaries. First of all, the salary that Linda so kindly keeps bringing up is incorrect. The figure of $141,000 a year came from a financial statement that included the yearly salary – along with four years of back pay - which was a decision made by the board of directors and not by Terri. She has never received a salary of $141,000. Most years it was -0- to $6000. Once the funding became available, her salary was adjusted to just over $80,000. The national average for this type of position of a national non-profit organization is $130,000. Even at her top pay, she was WELL BELOW the average for the same position. I see a lot of you piping in with your remarks of how you run a non-profit on hardly any money, and that is very noble and I know it takes a lot of sacrifice. But to compare the job in a small non-profit with the job of a director of a national organization, especially when that job makes you responsible and liable for the safety of numerous volunteers, staff, animals, and the public – it’s no comparison. I seriously doubt most of you would take on that responsibility, and liability, without being compensated.
Rebecca, I too have worked alongside Terri Crisp for many years, and I will continue to do so. Yes, I agree that there may have been some mistakes along the way, but I know for a fact that none were due to maliciousness, self-gain, or greed. Mistakes may have been made because animals were put first, and accounting was not made as big of a priority as it should have been. Believe me, if this weren’t true, I’d be jumping ship and not supporting her, but this is not the case and she has my FULL support. Remember, *I* have made my decisions based on the CORRECT information.
And you should know the AG investigation is now over. The AG has determined what is, and what is not, restricted – and no one has been found at fault. I think that speaks volumes…
Comment by Becky — July 31, 2007 @ 10:53 am
The Mutual Settlement and Agreement between Noah’s Wish, Terri Crisp and The State Attorney General of California states the following as terms of the settlement dated July 17, 2007:
“Terri Crisp agrees that she will not serve as an officer, director or trustee, or in any position having the duties or responsibilities of an officer, director or trustee with any nonprofit organization for a period of 5 years from the date of execution of this Settlement Agreement. Terri Crisp further agrees that she will at no time in the future serve in any fiduciary capacity with Noah’s Wish, nor will she serve as an employee or volunteer of Noah’s Wish, or in any capacity. In the event Ms. Crisp violates the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Attorney General’s sole recourse shall be against Ms. Crisp and not against Noah’s Wish.”
ALSO
The Attorney General of California will be re-distributing funds seized from Noah’s Wish to “suitable beneficiares for the purpose of which the funds were raised ie: to support the animal victims of Katrina. The Attorney General states that “None of the money will be used for the benefit of any organization affiliated with Terri Crisp.”
A copy of the full report will soon be available on the website of the Attorney General of State of California.
Draw your own conclusions as to why the AG is restricting Crisp from being involved in a nonprofit for 5 years and why they are not allowing any organizaiton affiliated with her to receive funds from Katrina.
Comment by ELizabeth — August 1, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
And by the way, Becky, the AG is seizing 4 million dollars from Noah’s Wish. .
Comment by ELizabeth — August 1, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Yes, Elizabeth, you are correct about the settlement agreement. The first two paragraphs that you quote were changes that the current board of diretors of Noah’s Wish asked to be added, since Terri Crisp is no longer employed by them. The Noah’s Wish board didn’t want the monies to be taken from them and be put into a new organization affiliated with her, since they split. Remember, it is an AGREEMENT between the two - it is not a demand by one party (i.e.: the AG). Noah’s Wish had input on the final draft as well.
And yes, I am very aware that they are “seizing” 4 million dollars. Like I said previously, they were determining what monies were to be considered “restricted” and what monies were to be considered “unrestricted”. This is the amount they determined is indeed restricted, and that is why they are taking it and redistributing it. This has happened with every organization they have investigated so far, whether it be the Louisiana AG, California AG, or whatever state the organization has originated from.
You will also notice that they have not filed any personal charges on ANYONE - on the board or Terri Crisp. They have not found fault with ANYONE. Don’t you think someone would be in jail if they had indeed found any wrong-doing such as fraud, misuse of funs, etc??? Come’on, you sound like a halfway intelligent person. Surely you are smart enough to know that much more would of happened other than taking part of the monies taken in.
But I know I’m just wasting my breath. I can’t wait for the official report to be released, with the full disclosures, so that everyone will finally see that it’s nothing other than distributing the funds.
Comment by Becky — August 2, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/f.....amp;coll=1
This article in the Times Picayune goes into detail
Comment by JW — August 11, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
http://www.kcra.com/station/13920267/detail.html
Call 3 Problem Solvers: Charity Makes Settlement With Attorney General
Former Director At Center Of Controversy
POSTED: 5:24 pm PDT August 17, 2007
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Noah’s Wish, a Sacramento-area charity that rescued hundreds of animals after Hurricane Katrina, turned over $4 million in frozen funds Friday. It’s the result of a settlement between the Attorney General, Noah’s Wish, and the charity’s former director.
Allegations swirled around the charity after the disaster, that the money wasn’t being used for the animals, as donors expected.
Noah’s Wish former director Terri Crisp is at the center of the controversy.
Charlie Crosby, a current Noah’s Wish volunteer, said the charity supports the attorney general’s settlement agreement.
Under the settlement agreement, the charity agrees to turn over $4 million to the attorney general’s office.
As for Crisp, she agrees not to serve as a director, board member or trustee with any charity for five years.
But some alleged the ink isn’t even dry on the settlement agreement and Crisp may be violating it.
They said she’s running a new animal rescue group called Animal Resources that is based in Placerville, not far from her home.
Crosby said other volunteers know that she is the leader of that organization.
Crisp declined the Call 3 Problem Solvers’ request for an on-camera interview.
However, she said by phone that Noah’s Wish former employees are trying to discredit her.
About Noah’s Wish, she said, “Were we never trying to do something intentionally wrong, absolutely not.”
On the settlement, she said, “There was more attention put on me, and it should have been evenly distributed among the entire board.”
As for Animal Resources, Crisp said she’s helping out but is not part of the decision making and has no voting rights. While Crisp and Noah’s Wish have parted ways, both plan to keep working tirelessly for animals in disasters.
The attorney general’s office said it’s familiar with concerns about Crisp and Animal Resources and is monitoring the situation.
Crisp’s daughter Jennifer Mc Kim works with Animal Resources now as does Sheri Thompson and Colleen Benz.
Comment by Tim — August 18, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Becky, you actually don’t have all the information correct.
The money spent on trucks and vehicles was not donated specifically for that purpose. There was only one donation that was given that was restricted to be used to purchase a vehicle.
Terri Crisp did not get approval from the board of directors prior to making purchases. She was supposed to, but she did not.
Terri Crisp’s salary was reduced when she was demoted from president to director of field operations.
Terri Crisp got a lump sum payment to compensate her for time working without a salary.
The portions of the AG settlement agreement that Elizabeth points out were added by the AG not by the board of directors.
Originally the AG was seeking to file suit against Terri Crisp, Jennifer McKim, Shari Thompson and each individual board member along with filing a suit against Noahs Wish.
Comment by Victoria — August 26, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
MUTUAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
Full text available at caag.state.ca.us/charities/pdf/ms.pdf
Read it for yourself.
Comment by Cat Rescuer — September 5, 2007 @ 2:13 am
How was the money spent - 1 million dollars on vet bills, money spent to house, feed and water close to 2,000 animals, money spent to feed, house and water over 900 volunteers, money spent on porta-potties for those volunteers. Money spent on kennels for the dogs of residents who could move back into their house, but the fences weren’t safe yet, moneuy spent for replacement hamster cages, bird cages, beds. leashes. Money spent to send thank you’s to the thousands of donors, money spent to prepare for future disasters, money spent on disaster preparedness training seminiars, money spent on community outreach informtion fairs, money spent on vehicles - yes - but can you imagine what the cost of renting pick-up trucks for 83 days would have been? If you can rent a pick-up truck for transporting animals in crates from the location of rescue to the shelter. The “wrapped RV”? Not the property of Noah’s Wish, but owned by a man in Southern California who gets a significant tax deduction for dedicating the use of said vehicle to a charity (and oh, he has now taken the RV over to Terri’s new group Animal Resources). Has Terri Crisp changed the landscape of this nation, and other countries, with her crusade to save animal in disaster, yes. Has she used bad judgement in hiring family members and friends,absloutely. Has Terri Crisp sometimes behaved in a capricious manner, yes, but remember, she is premier in the education of the nation re: the care and rescuing of animals in the time of disater, not a CEO or a trained profesional administrator or financial wizard, she is for the animals. Let’s stop this, because the bashings spatter a tainty on all animal rescue organizations, and lets get on with preparing the people of this country to include their animals in their disaster plans.
Comment by Mary — September 18, 2007 @ 4:59 pm