Letter to the Editor: Animal Control Worker Wrongfully Disciplined

Dear Editor,

Cindy Ganues at needs our help. The current animal shelter leadership has elected to discipline her not just once, but twice, for working during her off hours to save animals from imminent death. The first occurrence resulted in her receiving an eight-hour suspension. The second occurrence resulted in a recommendation for a 40-hour suspension. And who knows what the cost may be for a subsequent "violation"? Loss of a job she's held for over 30 years?

On the first occasion Cindy was punished, she was off work. She learned that three dogs had been sent unexpectedly to a local veterinarian for euthanasia. Cindy knew the dogs were healthy and adoptable. She asked the veterinarian to delay euthanasia while she reached out to rescue groups. One group agreed to help the dogs, but couldn't physically take them for a week. Cindy arranged for another rescue to pick up the dogs from the veterinarian and hold them for a week until the other rescue group could accommodate them. All three dogs were sweet and all were subsequently adopted. When shelter leadership found out what had happened, Cindy was disciplined for doing shelter business during off hours. Most shelters would reward this level of commitment, not punish it!

On the most recent occasion, Cindy again was off work. She learned about cats that were going to be euthanized if they weren't out of the shelter by the day's end. Cindy contacted rescue groups. A local group went to collect the cats later that day. The rescue group told shelter management that they learned about the cats from Cindy. Cindy was reprimanded and is now facing a 40-hour suspension. Just imagine how you would feel if a simple act of compassion resulted in disciplinary action and a significant financial penalty!

Cindy has a limited opportunity to appeal the 40-hour suspension. Please consider sending an email to Cindy's management, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, and the Cobb County Civil Service Board to share your personal experiences with Cindy-her compassion for animals, her tireless efforts to find rescue groups for the Cobb County shelter animals, etc. Please be respectful so that our frustrations regarding this unfair treatment don't make more trouble for Cindy. 

Suggested distribution for your emails:

Cindy's management:
Sam Heaton <sheaton@cobbcounty.org>
Jeff Patellis <jeff.patellis@cobbcounty.org>
Don Bruce <donald.bruce@cobbcounty.org>
Shana Luke <shana.luke@cobbcounty.org>

Cobb County Board of Commissioners:
Tim Lee  <TLee@cobbcounty.org>
Helen Goreham <Helen.Goreham@cobbcounty.org>
Bob Ott <Bob.Ott@cobbcounty.org>
Woody Thompson <Woody.Thompson@cobbcounty.org>
JoAnn Birrell <JoAnn.Birrell@cobbcounty.org>

Clerk of the Cobb County Civil Service Board:
Rebecca Whiten <rebecca.whiten@cobbcounty.org>

Cindy's attorney and her personal email
Constance McManus <constancemcmanus@yahoo.com>
Cindy Ganues <cynlganues@aol.com>

Thank you so much for your compassion for animals and for supporting Cindy during this challenging time.

Carol Donaldson & Jodie Richers
Dogs on Death Row