A small group rallying for the resignation of Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven board members on Saturday, March 7. (Image Credit: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media)

By Alyssa Conti

Shelter Saga Continues

Safe Haven addresses ‘damaging’ rumours as advocates rally for board resignation

Mar 8, 2026 | 9:54 AM

CHILLIWACK — The Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven is hoping to stifle a flow of misinformation from some advocates before it blazes through the organization’s top ranks.

A small group has been rallying this weekend at Five Corners, calling for the resignation of Safe Haven’s six remaining board members due to a laundry list of membership-related issues.

But in a statement to Fraser Valley Today, the organization says many of those items are baseless accusations that are “damaging to [its] reputation”.

“This behaviour distracts from our core mission, caring for and adopting out cats into loving, forever homes, raising donations, and supporting the volunteers and staff who make our work possible,” said Carol Marleau, board member-at-large.

“Individuals who are spearheading this initiative should know that their actions, as recently joined members of the Safe Haven, are inappropriate and disruptive.”

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The road to strife

The petition, started by Chilliwack resident Amber Price, mentioned instances of bullying, coercion and threats experienced by staff members and volunteers over the past several months.

Safe Haven then listed a number of actions that may have been perceived as bullying, including asking staff not to vape inside the building, following WorkSafe guidelines, adhering to animal welfare standards and communicating work availability.

“These requests are not bullying. In any workplace, mediation and/or conflict resolution is a much more professional approach than just walking out the door,” Marleau continued in the statement.

Local journalist Paul Henderson had also written about a four-page letter to the shelter manager last month, which Price cited in her point about “threats, accusations and surveillance of staff on medical leave”.

Marleau noted that, without mentioning its content, a letter has also been “taken out of context and amplified online” for the purpose of creating dissent.

Paved with good intentions

Marleau previously wrote that rumours surrounding a land grab or takeover from the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) are not true, saying Safe Haven reached out to them only to strengthen the local shelter’s operations and find ways to revitalize stalled fundraising efforts.

“This might help us build a sanctuary, and if theirs is full, we can take their cats, and in turn, we get cheap or free vet costs. Having access to their resources will allow the Safe Haven to expand and grow and remain viable on its own,” she wrote in late February.

Regarding Price’s rally point about “severing long-standing relationships with local veterinarians in favour of RAPS”, the shelter explains that the decision to employ Richmond-based RAPS veterinarians stems from a recent operational review, which revealed that many cats had not received appropriate veterinary diagnostic care.

One example involved a cat found with kidney disease who will need modified care, which Safe Haven’s newly hired veterinary technician is overseeing.

“This is the first time the Shelter has had a staff person with medical accreditation. Addressing these gaps means increased veterinary care and improved oversight.”

She says the accusations have led to long-standing volunteers withdrawing their membership, including one who helped coordinate a successful golf scramble and another who handled all maintenance.

Another rally for the board members’ resignation is set for today at noon. The petition stands at 501 signatures as of the time of writing.