Less than two months after announcing the milestone of its 100,000th spay/neuter procedure, TLC PetSnip, Inc. has canceled all surgical appointments amid a major staff exodus.
The Lakeland-based nonprofit veterinary clinic began reaching out to clients on Monday to inform them that their pets’ scheduled surgeries had been canceled. No new surgeries are being scheduled at this time, either in person or on the organization’s website.
Dr. G. Robert Weedon, one of the clinic’s surgeons, said in a public message on Facebook on May 25 was his last day at TLC PetSnip and that he had resigned along with Director of Surgical Operations Lisa Gray, Executive Director Emily Lorenzano, Medical Director Dr. Michele McCutcheon, and the nonprofit’s board of directors – all of whom stepped down.
“OK, I saw this post (but it was not shareable) and it made me realize “this ain’t what I wanna keep going through,” and that it is now time to “just stop.” Sadly, yesterday was my last day at TLC PetSnip, Inc. in Lakeland. Ever heard of Nonprofit Founder’s Syndrome (https://bloomerang.co/…/how-to-survive-nonprofit…/)? Well, Terry Sandlak, the founder of TLC PetSnip is a poster child for the condition. In a nutshell, the founder cannot let go of what he or she started, nor do they trust the people they put in place to run the organization. She continues to meddle in the day-to-day operations thinking that TLC PetSnip cannot survive without her. And often in a vicious and vindictive manner. Truth bomb: if your organization cannot survive and thrive without you at the helm it doesn’t deserve to exist. She caused Lisa Rexford Gray, former Director of Surgical Operations to resign, and now she has forced Emily Lorenzano, the Executive Director, out. I have seen this coming for some time. Terry has made Lisa and Emily’s lives miserable, and like Kurt Russell told Scott Glenn in the movie Backdraft, I told Emily, “You go, we go.” Emily just informed me that today is her last day at TLC PetSnip. Accordingly, yesterday was mine. “You go, we go…”
I am not friends with Terry Sandlak on Facebook (nor in person, either), but I feel compelled to get the word out about what is happening at TLC PetSnip for the clients and the people in our community. If I could tell her to her face, I would: “Why are you ruining the very thing that you started? You stupid fool, why can’t you accept the fact that TLC PetSnip is so beneficial to the community, why must you ruin it? If you hadn’t messed things up, your legacy would be an organization that helps animals and people in Polk County. Now, your legacy will be burning it to the ground.”
The staff at TLC PetSnip will all be out of a job soon. Our Medical Director is resigning, and with her goes the Premises Permit (required by law as she is the “Responsible Veterinarian,”) and her DEA certificate (used to order controlled substances), as well as the controlled substances on hand, ordered with that certificate. TLC PetSnip will effectively be shut down. Hopefully, down the road, we will all come together, and rise from the ashes to form an even better, more effective organization to help the people and pets of Polk County. Stay tuned”…Weedon wrote in the post.
“TLC PetSnip will effectively be shut down. Hopefully, down the road, we will all come together and rise from the ashes to form an even better, more effective organization to help the people and pets of Polk County,” he wrote.
Weedon blamed the mass exodus on friction with the organization’s founder Terry Sandlak and faulted board members for stepping down instead of forcing Sandlak out.
“The Board, in my opinion, was derelict in their duties by resigning and not standing up to the founder,” Weedon said.
Sandlak did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday, however, she did schedule a staff meeting with the remaining employees.
The issue of the premises permit and DEA certificate is likely to be a significant hurdle for the organization.
Gray, McCutcheon, and Lorenzano did not respond to requests for comment.
Very sad situation indeed. We were one of those scheduled to have our rescue dog spayed and now are left out in the cold. Praying all staff can rebuild a new nonprofit.
So, so sad to see this happening.It was such a beneficial place for people to take their pets, including myself. It will surely be devastating to many people. For the one person who started this, and then destroy it , has literally ruined many peoples lives. This ” whomever” person, they are not clearly thinking things out, and the devastating end, to what was a good thing.😢
It’s sad when ppls heads are so big they damage so much over pride. Those doctors and surgery team worked hours w hardly any breaker and worked till late in the evening. Then asked to clock out and stay longer. Poor management. I don’t blame the doctors for leaving. And the staff I pray all find jobs asap. To the “founder”; Shame on you. Pride gets you nowhere.
You didn’t have the decency to call all of your clients to let them know.
Is the TLC Pet open in Seffner. I use to take my dogs there too. I got 2 dogs that need snap test done and to get there flea meds
To the founder of TLC Petsnips – Pride comes before destruction – Proverbs 16:18
Your micro-management and overall pride has destroyed what you created. Happy now??