NMLC future

[Abbey Mitchell]

Dear Amy, Members of the board and fellow volunteers,  

I am writing to express my deep concern about the current state and uncertain future of NMLC. You have all claimed NMLC has financial issues, yet no clear explanation has been provided regarding how this situation developed or what plans are in place to address it.

With the resignation of the entire animal care staff and no communication from leadership, it now appears that NMLC will be effectively non-operational. Without trained staff or animals on site, we will lose public trust and donor support, and people will donate to other organizations that are able to house animals. With the discovery center still closed and nowhere near completion, there will be no reason for people to donate to NMLC.  This will only worsen the financial challenges we are reportedly facing. So, what is the plan for NMLC? It seems like NMLC does not have a future. 

The consistent lack of response to emails from volunteers and staff regarding the organization’s financial status has not gone unnoticed. A vague statement that “very serious financial situation” is insufficient. If the financial challenges are genuine, the board owes it to the community, staff, and volunteers to  communicate how they arose, and critically, what the plan is to address them.

As someone who has volunteered significant time and energy to NMLC, I find the lack of transparency and ongoing silence deeply troubling. It feels dismissive of the contributions many of us have made to this organization over the years. This lack of transparency makes me believe something else may be going on behind the scenes. 

At this point, I believe the board, especially the Chair Jay Munsey, the Vice Chair Jackie Driscoll, and the Executive Director Amy Collins,  has effectively destroyed this organization. Until there is a leadership change, the board members are replaced, and a transparent recovery plan is made, I do not believe it is ethical for any animals to be placed in NMLC’s care, as your actions have shown that none of you truly care about animal welfare or the organization's mission. I will not be returning to volunteer after Eclipse's release tomorrow until this happens. 

Abbey Mitchell