A week after the CASPCA board released the summary of an independent review into allegations of a toxic workplace and poor conditions for animals at the shelter, questions about the future of the organization remain and calls for the permanent removal of the shelter’s CEO continue.

“We were pleasantly surprised that the executive summary said exactly what we’ve all been claiming that the workplace was, I mean, they didn’t use the word toxic, but that was what we all felt,” former CASPCA staffer and volunteer Sarah Lloyd told Charlottesville Right Now on April 25. “But we would’ve maybe liked to see or hear a little bit more about the future of Angie Gunter.”

Gunter was placed on administrative at the conclusion of the review, and according to the executive summary written by McGuireWoods law firm and released by the board on Friday, April 21, the two-month investigation found “an unfavorable work environment existed at CASPCA resulting in significant and unsustainable high rates of employee and volunteer turnover in recent years” and that “the workplace environment negatively impacted shelter operations, particularly with respect to maintaining adequate staffing levels and retention of employees with specialized knowledge.”

CASPCA board chair Jenn Corbey spoke with Charlottesville Right Now on Friday, April 21 but declined to comment on Gunter’s future with the organization or whether the leave is paid or unpaid, describing it as a personnel matter.

“We have really an incredible staff that has stepped up to make our operations continue without interruption,” Corbey said. She urged the community to continue supporting CASPCA including at the upcoming Bow Wow Walk fundraising event on Saturday, April 29.

The McGuireWoods executive summary lays out specific recommendations to improve conditions at the shelter. The board has already implemented one recommendation with the appointment of an interim HR manager.

Among the other recommendations are enhanced management training for all current and new managers, a comprehensive operational review, expansion of the board to include members with animal care and human resources expertise, and the development of a working group to enhance volunteer engagement at the shelter and revamp the volunteer program to allow for increased and effective communication with staff.”

The review makes no mention of another recommendation made by several CASPCA members: the addition of board members representing the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, the two localities that use the SPCA as their public animal shelter and which provide a million dollars in funding annually. Charlottesville Right Now asked Corbey if that request is being considered.

“The board currently right now has an obligation, and that’s what we’re looking at,” Corbey said. “We’re looking to make this right; we’re dedicated to embracing these changes that we’ve talked about in fulfilling our obligations to care for animals.”

The former volunteers and staff who comprise the CASPCA Concerns Facebook group responded to the McGuireWoods executive summary in an April 27 post expressing gratitude that the review confirmed their allegations. The post insists moving forward is only possible under new leadership.

“It is clear that the board must now act and immediately remove Gunter from her position, along with any that enabled her, and begin the long process of rebuilding trust both inside of and outside of the shelter,” it says. 

Hear the April 21 Charlottesville Right Now interview with CASPCA Board Chair Jenn Corbey here.

Hear the April 25 Charlottesville Right Now interview with former CASPCA staffer Sarah Lloyd here.

Read the full McGuireWoods executive summary here.