Distrust a Problem at Hillsborough Animal Services, Report Says

This story was reported and written by Associate Regional Editor Sherri Lonon.

It’s been a rough year at Hillsborough County Animal Services by anyone’s standards.

A number of high-ranking staff members have quit, retired or left to work elsewhere.

Reports of poor conditions, overcrowding and the number of parvovirus cases have made headlines. There’s also been an ongoing battle about feral cats and the prudence of the county’s new trap, neuter and release policy.

To complicate matters, communication between management and staff also seems to be a big concern, according to a recently filed report by a consultant hired to look into the woes at animal services.

“The bottom line is that management is not perceived as trusting most long-term employees and, conversely, many employees do not trust management,” TBO.com quoted Linda Andrews-Crotwell’s report as saying. “The animal community is now divided over new policies, and the public has been inundated with reports of possible mismanagement.”

Andrews-Crotwell is a consultant brought in by the county to study issues at animal services and make recommendations for fixing problems. Her recommendations include:

• Improving leadership through training and mentoring
• Making communication a bigger priority
• Building trust among the agency’s staff member and management

You can read TBO’s full story here.

What do you think about all the recent issues at Animal Services? How would you fix the problems? Tell us, New Tampa, by commenting below.

See also:

• ‘It’s OK’ to Adopt Pets Despite Illness, County Says
• ‘Unspeakable Suffering’ Prompts More Funding for Animal Services
• How Would You Fix Animal Services?
• Task Force Schedules 1st Meeting to Tackle County's Animal Services