Putting lipstick on a pig': Advocates question progress city claims is being made at San Jose animal shelter

"Leadership may claim that audit recommendations are met,' but as a long-term volunteer, I can attest that conditions inside the shelter have not improved, volunteer Lyne Lamourex said in written comments provided to the committee. Staff morale remains low, community trust is eroding and transparency is lacking. Efforts appear focused on checking boxes rather than restoring effective services. The shelter's new Deputy Director Monica Wylie acknowledged the advocates' passion."

"The bottom line is we're all on the same team, Wylie said. We all want what's best for the animals, and we want to provide that, so we definitely want to continue in that area. The shelter is designed to be a temporary safe haven, so how can we mitigate any stress caused by the animals for being there (and) how can we keep them in their homes where they already have a home?"

"Shelter management said at the Neighborhood Services Committee meeting this week that their actions taken in response to the recommendations would be submitted for review by the end of December. But advocates argued that audit compliance is not a barometer for improvement, and compared the city's most recent status report to putting lipstick on a pig, noting numerous systemic issues that continue to persist and need reform."

Animal welfare advocates continue to raise alarm about San Jose's animal shelter, citing gross incompetence, broken promises, and gaslighting of concerns. A city audit last year confirmed persistent poor conditions, chronic overcapacity, and mismanagement harming animals' health and produced 39 recommendations and demands for improvements. Shelter management said actions in response to the recommendations would be submitted for review by the end of December. Advocates argue audit compliance alone does not equal meaningful improvement and describe the status report as superficial, with systemic problems persisting. Volunteers report low staff morale, eroding community trust, and efforts focused on checking boxes rather than restoring effective services. Deputy Director Monica Wylie emphasized shared goals of reducing animal stress and keeping animals in homes when possible.

Read at www.mercurynews.com