MEMPHIS, TN - A July 2009 audit of the Memphis Animal Shelter found big problems at the facility. The audit was done by the city’s own internal audit department. Auditors found problems with how money was handled and how drugs were handled.
The audit found that the shelter had no policies to protect cash and checks. It found there were no policies in place to protect drugs used at the shelter. Drugs were kept in unlocked cabinets accessible to employees. The veterinarian was unsure who had keys to cabinets and clinic offices. And an outside door to the shelter was monitored by a video camera, but most of the time the door was kept wide open.
The audit was a surprise to animal rights activists. Beverly King had no idea it had been completed.
King says, “I just can't believe this was brought out in July and they knew about it. That is not good business.”
A spokesperson for Mayor Wharton’s office says the new team in place at the shelter is working to make changes to policies and procedures recommended by auditors.
