Yesterday The Gentle Barn posted a pic of a baby California ground squirrel they supposedly rescued. Here is their photo post. They state they called different "wild life" rescuers and we all told them to let it die. They did not contact any wildlife rescuers. We are the closest and main squirrel rescue website in the nation. No wildlife rehabber would tell anyone to just let it die. They state it's two weeks old when it's older. It's eyes should be open but it's dehydrated and emaciated so they're closed.
I posted on the pic offering help and even emailed them. No reply. Today they post another photo.
They posted this after I sent a few emails and commented on the post. You can't message them via Facebook. Here they are asking for donations in a round about way. I made more comments and sent more email offering help. No reply.
I then decided to Google them. This is a very corrupt organization. Many lawsuits, investigations by government agencies. The below lawsuit from two employees states they are a fraud. They went on the Ellen DeGeneres show and begged for donations to rescue 60 cows. They got $200,000. Turns out there were no cows and no cow rescue. Based on the lawsuit they spent the money on lavish vacations, a Las Vegas wedding, home furnishings and such. Read the below articles and lawsuits.
http://gentlebarnexposed.org/pdfs/Karen%20Snook%20and%20Krystina%20Saavedra%20Lawsuit%20-%20Complete.pdf
Below is a page from the filing. They raised money to rescue 60 cows but never rescued the cows. In fact there were never 60 cows that needed rescuing.
Here's an article about all their troubles and investigations by Merritt Clifton of Animal People. Merritt Clifton has been covering the animal world for many years.
http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/anp/2013/07/22/new-gentle-barn-irs-form-990-filings-respond-to-probe-by-california-attorney-general/
Labor investigation 1
http://www.nlrb.gov/case/31-CA-093108
Labor investigation 2
http://www.nlrb.gov/case/31-CA-099433
Ex-volunteer, member tells their story.
http://wherearethecows.webs.com/
Attorney General report
http://rct.doj.ca.gov/MyLicenseVerification/Details.aspx?agency_id=1&license_id=1039920&
This is so bizarre that I had to research to make sure it is real. It is real. That means Ellie Laks is crazy. Extreme paranoia and delusion. I worry about her ability to care for her kids. She is living in a delusional world.
http://gentlebarnexposed.org/pdfs/Affidavit%20of%20Truth%20-%20Complete%20-%20Redacted.pdf
From someone who used to volunteer there. This is from a public post on facebook.
"As someone who volunteered for the Gentle Barn at a high level for two years (I was the upper barnyard manager every Sunday during public hours and special person to Billy the Goat until his passing, visiting several times a week), I wold love to say that none of this is true. Unfortunately, I believe it is ALL true. Every last sad, heartbreaking allegation.
I had glimpses here and there from the beginning of my tenure that something was off, but it wasn't until the campaign to raise money for the 60 cows was in full swing (this was the campaign that began Ellen DeGeneres involvement) that so many of us finally saw the depth of all that was wrong. That campaign was built around an original plea for these animals that was accompanied by a very sad picture of sick and suffering cows that was said to be taken of the very cows that were to be rescued. That picture, however, was a fake. It was taken a couple years prior by someone connected to the GB and was of cows somewhere else in a completely different situation. (Imagine this person's surprise upon seeing how the picture was now being used.) Using that picture was necessary, however, because those sixty cows did not exist. The entire story was fictionalized. Once the money was raised (and matched 100% by an anonymous donor), all records of the campaign were meticulously and carefully erased from both their website and their Facebook page. Barns were never built and those cows were never mentioned again. (Well, except by many concerned volunteers, each of who was banned for disloyalty after questioning.)
I stayed as long as I could, watching animal after animal suffer with various physical ailments (and sometimes die untreated because as far as any of us could see, those extra funds did not go to existing animal care either) in a barnyard completely overcrowded at the time of my leaving with not only too many animals for the allotted space but animals living together who should NEVER be living together for the safety of all involved. (That is another story in and of itself.) But living conditions like this abound in any facility where the animals are considered, above all else, donation bait. I left on my own accord and was not banned, but the last time I went as a visitor—paying $20 to get in—I was ultimately asked to leave. Shortly thereafter I was blocked from being able to comment on their Facebook page, a fate that has befallen so many former volunteers.
I don't speak publicly on this often, because shining a bad light on any animal rescue organization runs the risk of putting a blight on rescue in general if people become too cynical or weary of non-profits in general after hearing too many stories about rampant fraud. There are, indeed, WONDERFUL organizations working hard—and honestly—to rescue and rehab farmed and domestic animals right here in Southern California (and all over the country). It is just beyond important to extensively vet any non-profit to which you intend to donate your time or your money. It is easy to be duped by emtionally-wrought stories that pull at your heartstrings and it is easy to be duped because most of us want to be involved, to help others, to feel a connection to something bigger and more important than ourselves. The Gentle Barn founders understand both of these things and are masters at manipulating people accordingly. For those of us who still fiercely believe in the importance of the barn's original mission statement, this situation is beyond heartbreaking.
Needless to say, the California Attorney General's investigation remains extensive and ongoing."
I just read the free beginning of her book "The Gentle Barn." Take a read and you will understand why this person is mentally on edge. Read intro and chapter one. As a kid who would accept candy and toys for sexual favors.
http://www.amazon.com/My-Gentle-Barn-Creating-Sanctuary/dp/0385347669/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400194523&sr=1-1&keywords=the+gentle+barn
Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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| The Gentle Barn, donor fraud, lawsuits, violations, IRS, Attorney General, DOJ |
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| The Gentle Barn, donor fraud, lawsuits, violations, IRS, Attorney General, DOJ |
I then decided to Google them. This is a very corrupt organization. Many lawsuits, investigations by government agencies. The below lawsuit from two employees states they are a fraud. They went on the Ellen DeGeneres show and begged for donations to rescue 60 cows. They got $200,000. Turns out there were no cows and no cow rescue. Based on the lawsuit they spent the money on lavish vacations, a Las Vegas wedding, home furnishings and such. Read the below articles and lawsuits.
http://gentlebarnexposed.org/pdfs/Karen%20Snook%20and%20Krystina%20Saavedra%20Lawsuit%20-%20Complete.pdf
Below is a page from the filing. They raised money to rescue 60 cows but never rescued the cows. In fact there were never 60 cows that needed rescuing.
 |
| The Gentle Barn, Ellie Lakes, Jay Weiner, donor fraud, 60 cows, ellen degeneres show |
Here's an article about all their troubles and investigations by Merritt Clifton of Animal People. Merritt Clifton has been covering the animal world for many years.
http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/anp/2013/07/22/new-gentle-barn-irs-form-990-filings-respond-to-probe-by-california-attorney-general/
Labor investigation 1
http://www.nlrb.gov/case/31-CA-093108
Labor investigation 2
http://www.nlrb.gov/case/31-CA-099433
Ex-volunteer, member tells their story.
http://wherearethecows.webs.com/
Attorney General report
http://rct.doj.ca.gov/MyLicenseVerification/Details.aspx?agency_id=1&license_id=1039920&
This is so bizarre that I had to research to make sure it is real. It is real. That means Ellie Laks is crazy. Extreme paranoia and delusion. I worry about her ability to care for her kids. She is living in a delusional world.
http://gentlebarnexposed.org/pdfs/Affidavit%20of%20Truth%20-%20Complete%20-%20Redacted.pdf
From someone who used to volunteer there. This is from a public post on facebook.
"As someone who volunteered for the Gentle Barn at a high level for two years (I was the upper barnyard manager every Sunday during public hours and special person to Billy the Goat until his passing, visiting several times a week), I wold love to say that none of this is true. Unfortunately, I believe it is ALL true. Every last sad, heartbreaking allegation.
I had glimpses here and there from the beginning of my tenure that something was off, but it wasn't until the campaign to raise money for the 60 cows was in full swing (this was the campaign that began Ellen DeGeneres involvement) that so many of us finally saw the depth of all that was wrong. That campaign was built around an original plea for these animals that was accompanied by a very sad picture of sick and suffering cows that was said to be taken of the very cows that were to be rescued. That picture, however, was a fake. It was taken a couple years prior by someone connected to the GB and was of cows somewhere else in a completely different situation. (Imagine this person's surprise upon seeing how the picture was now being used.) Using that picture was necessary, however, because those sixty cows did not exist. The entire story was fictionalized. Once the money was raised (and matched 100% by an anonymous donor), all records of the campaign were meticulously and carefully erased from both their website and their Facebook page. Barns were never built and those cows were never mentioned again. (Well, except by many concerned volunteers, each of who was banned for disloyalty after questioning.)
I stayed as long as I could, watching animal after animal suffer with various physical ailments (and sometimes die untreated because as far as any of us could see, those extra funds did not go to existing animal care either) in a barnyard completely overcrowded at the time of my leaving with not only too many animals for the allotted space but animals living together who should NEVER be living together for the safety of all involved. (That is another story in and of itself.) But living conditions like this abound in any facility where the animals are considered, above all else, donation bait. I left on my own accord and was not banned, but the last time I went as a visitor—paying $20 to get in—I was ultimately asked to leave. Shortly thereafter I was blocked from being able to comment on their Facebook page, a fate that has befallen so many former volunteers.
I don't speak publicly on this often, because shining a bad light on any animal rescue organization runs the risk of putting a blight on rescue in general if people become too cynical or weary of non-profits in general after hearing too many stories about rampant fraud. There are, indeed, WONDERFUL organizations working hard—and honestly—to rescue and rehab farmed and domestic animals right here in Southern California (and all over the country). It is just beyond important to extensively vet any non-profit to which you intend to donate your time or your money. It is easy to be duped by emtionally-wrought stories that pull at your heartstrings and it is easy to be duped because most of us want to be involved, to help others, to feel a connection to something bigger and more important than ourselves. The Gentle Barn founders understand both of these things and are masters at manipulating people accordingly. For those of us who still fiercely believe in the importance of the barn's original mission statement, this situation is beyond heartbreaking.
Needless to say, the California Attorney General's investigation remains extensive and ongoing."
I just read the free beginning of her book "The Gentle Barn." Take a read and you will understand why this person is mentally on edge. Read intro and chapter one. As a kid who would accept candy and toys for sexual favors.
http://www.amazon.com/My-Gentle-Barn-Creating-Sanctuary/dp/0385347669/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400194523&sr=1-1&keywords=the+gentle+barn
Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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