Advertisement

Edmonton Humane Society CEO resigns in wake of cat neglect incident at shelter

A photo of the Edmonton Humane Society building taken on Monday, June 4, 2018. Sarah Kraus, Global News

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated on June 5, 2020 with comments from Miranda Jordan-Smith.

The CEO of the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has resigned from her position, a spokesperson for the organization confirmed on Sept. 21, 2018.

The spokesperson told Global News that Miranda Jordan-Smith left her job to pursue new opportunities.

“Miranda tendered her resignation earlier this month… after five years of service with the Edmonton Humane Society,” Kylie Adams said in an email.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Jordan-Smith had been the subject of a petition started three months ago that had collected over 4,000 signatures which called for her to be suspended after an incident in the spring in which the EHS said three cats were “unknowingly left” in a vehicle for three weeks. The EHS said the cats all survived and have since been adopted out to families.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Edmonton Humane Society employee charged after cats forgotten in vehicle

On Sept. 20, an unnamed staff member with the EHS was charged by the Alberta SPCA with causing or permitting animals to be in distress and failing to provide adequate food and water to animals.

Global News has learned Jordan-Smith is not the person who has been charged.

Jordan-Smith could not be reached for comment on her resignation at the time Global News learned of her departure from EHS.

On May 28, 2020, Jordan-Smith reached out to Global News and said the reason she left EHS was not related to the incident, and that the allegations made in the petition were false. She told Global News she had informally told the board at EHS of her resignation before the incident in question. EHS said it would not comment for confidentiality reasons.

Sponsored content

AdChoices