Brownwood News – A shakeup occurred Monday night, December 16, at the Board of Directors meeting of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center.  According to a press release from Vice-President of the Board, Sherry Howry, Carren Bowden is no longer employed by Corinne T. Smith Animal Center.  In an interview, Bowden told us she had been manager of the animal center for four years.  She also said two other employees were relieved of their duties on Tuesday morning and several board members were voted off the board and new board members were elected.  Bowden said she was yelled at by a board member and told to go to her office at one point during the meeting.  Later she was informed she was no longer employed.  Bowden believes her firing was unjustified.  “Those new members, in my opinion, and the opinion of several others, had a hidden agenda and that agenda came to light closer to the end of the board meeting,” Bowden said.

The press release states new board members voted to remove Bowden from her position for many reasons.

In the press release it states “over the past few years many advocates and volunteers have approached the previous board members with concerns of general care, medication, humane treatment of the animals in care as well as many community members have asked about the finances of the organization only to have their concerns, often supported by pictures or video, dismissed by previous board members.”

The press release goes on to say the old board members chose to leave on their own accord and that social media posts saying “out with the old board members and in with themselves” was not the case.

Bowden pointed to the success of the goal of the center to become a “no-kill” shelter.  She became director/manager in February 2016.

2016 – Intake was 2,870 animals with 1,119 animals euthanized

2017 – Intake was 2,447 animals, 968 were euthanized

2018 – Intake was 2,504 animals, 676 were euthanized

2019 – Intake, as of Dec. 16, was 1,997 animals, 343 animals euthanized

“I was continuing to strive for a better outcome for all the animals.  Yes, we were overcrowded. It takes a lot to keep up with the influx whenever some people want to bring in litters of puppies.”

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According to the press release, the new board members and current staff all want to continue to work towards a no kill status but “the quality of care while animals are in the shelter is a higher priority.”  The press release addresses loyal supporters of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center.  “We hope that you understand it is still the mission of Corinne T. Smith Animal Center to promote the welfare, compassionate care and protection of animals, taking all domestic animals brought to us, finding suitable homes for adopting animals, providing information, raising public awareness of animal issues and promoting responsible pet ownership as well as providing quality care of the animals while they are with us.”

Bowden said the operating budget of the animal center is approximately $240,000 annually.  The center receives funding from city, county, Early and Bangs of $56,000 annually.  The difference is made up by donations, charges for adoption, charges for microchips and major fundraisers including Canines, Cats and Cabernet and the Spay-ghetti Dinner.

Dr. Allan Cass had been serving as Board President.  Debra Dixon is the new board president, Bowden said.  According to the press release, “the city is informed of the plan moving forward and our intention is to put people in the right positions to best meet the needs of the animals who are what the situation is all about for all the volunteers, staff and new board members involved.

The press release states board members were stepping up and working hands on at the shelter as of Tuesday.  “Consultants as well as advisers from other no kill shelters are being contacted to help evaluate the finances, determine best policy and procedure to ensure that the animals are properly cared for and best efforts to get them out of the shelter are made.”