Tucson Humane Society CEO Steve Farley fired after animal-transfer probe

Steve Farley, a former elected member of the Arizona House of Representatives, was fired Thursday as CEO of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, after an investigation showed that at least 250 small animals transferred from San Diego were turned over to an unlicensed rescue group.

The organization’s chief programs officer, Christian Gonzalez, submitted his resignation and it was accepted by the organization, HSSA Board President Robert Garcia said.

HSSA continues to reel from the fallout after approximately 318 small animals were transferred from the San Diego Humane Society to Tucson in August.

Garcia issued an apology for what he acknowledged was a delayed response to questions about the animals’ welfare.

“We have lost the trust of our community, we can do better,” Garcia said Thursday. “We are committed to doing better. We have a lot of work to do.”

According to Garcia’s statement, in July, the San Diego Humane Society reached out to HSSA requesting help in transporting various small animals, including mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and more. The transfer was approved by Farley and managed by Gonzalez, he said.

The controversy began when concerns surfaced from HSSA employees and the animal advocacy community about the welfare of the animals after the transfer. As inquiries intensified, HSSA discovered that Trevor Jones, who operates an animal rescue group in Maricopa County and received the animals, lacked the proper licensing for running a rescue operation.

“We were further told that the Humane Society had successfully worked with Mr. Jones on small animal transfers on at least two previous occasions,” Garcia said.

On Sept. 26, HSSA initiated an independent investigation.

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A new development emerged Sept. 29 when media outlets found that Colten Jones, believed to be Trevor Jones’ brother, is the owner of The Fertile Turtle, a reptile farm that has advertised frozen and live animals for sale as snake food.

An emergency HSSA board meeting was convened, resulting in the suspension Sept. 29 of Farley and Gonzalez.

The ongoing investigation eventually also revealed discrepancies in the information provided by Farley and Gonzalez to the HSSA board, leading to the unanimous decision to terminate their employment due to alleged negligence, protocol violations and other reasons, Garcia said in a written statement.

Farley said he was unaware of the nature of the rescue group the animals were transferred to. He said he provided the board with detailed records of communications between San Diego Humane Society and HSSA but was still let go.

“It is important to know that I had no involvement in the transportation or placement of these animals from HSSA to Maricopa County, and subsequent allegations have been very disturbing to me,” Farley said in a written statement.

HSSA is now searching for an interim CEO and plans to implement improved protocols and communication with the board to regain public trust, Garcia said. An audit and stakeholder input will also take place, he said.

Garcia said the actions of Farley and Gonzalez hurt the organization’s integrity and the broader animal rescue community. He said HSSA staff have received unwarranted threats, and he emphasized that they were not involved in the actions of the former leaders.

He acknowledged mistakes made and pledged commitment to rectifying them, regaining public trust, and continuing the organization’s mission for the welfare of animals.