‘Disappearing Dogs and Disease’: Protesters gather at Canyon Lake Animal Shelter Society and expose disturbing allegations

CANYON LAKE, Texas. On Saturday, several dozen people gathered across the street from the Canyon Lake Animal Sanctuary Society (CLASS) to protest the shelter’s alleged animal cruelty.

Former employees and volunteers say they have witnessed inappropriate treatment of pets, especially puppies.

“Some of us who had similar experiences started talking to each other,” Dina Kaplen said. “I was a volunteer there and I saw a lot of sick animals that were not being treated. Many animals continued to disappear. Then a recent former employee suddenly showed up and got evidence that they were putting sick puppies in the freezer instead of humanely euthanizing or treating them.”

The woman said CENS 5 She recently adopted a dog from a shelter but had to return it due to behavioral issues. She claims that the woman in charge at the shelter told her that the dog would “have to be euthanized” as she couldn’t take care of it.

According to its website, CLASS is a non-profit, no-kill hideout. This means that healthy or treatable pets are not euthanized, even when the shelter is full.

However, concerned residents feel that not enough is being done to treat and prevent outbreaks.

“I think it’s a snub,” Kaplan said. “If you know that an animal has the potential to become ill, it should be vaccinated. I really don’t think they have an excuse No get vaccinated. If you can’t handle the amount of animals coming in, you probably shouldn’t keep taking animals.”

In mid-January, CLASS closed due to an outbreak of parvovirus and plague. It reopened a few weeks ago. However, the shelter’s Facebook page states that it is open by appointment only after a few employees have left.

The shelter also said it ran out of vaccinations after “a volunteer accidentally turned off the refrigerator.”

Amidst many complaints, former employees say donations are not being managed effectively.

“I would like full transparency on their finances,” Kaplen said. “Last year when I was volunteering, my friend donated $600 worth of blankets during the winter. [CLASS] asked for blankets on social media. So, I brought it all here. I was here three or four days a week, washing clothes, going in and out of the shed where things were stored. I never saw any of those [blankets] used for animals.

Herb Wells says his mother co-founded CLASS in 1977. Since then, there have been several changes in the management of the company. Darrell Mayfield is currently the board president of the shelter. His wife, Kelly Mayfield, is vice president.

“Never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad my mom isn’t around to see what’s going on with CLASS right now,” Wells said.

The Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has confirmed that it is actively investigating reports of neglect and abuse of animals at the shelter.

CENS 5 applied to CLASS. Despite repeated phone calls and emails in the past week, our questions have gone unanswered. However, CLASS forwarded an email from the New Braunfels Area Animal Welfare Society (HSNBA) detailing the problem of overcrowding and outbreaks at many Texas shelters.

Jeremy Switt, a former CLASS volunteer, says a temporary council will be set up in the coming weeks to replace the current one. He says the new board will be completely transparent about operations.

Below is the transition plan.