Lake Tahoe Humane Society abruptly closes

By Kathryn Reed

Nearly one year after the Lake Tahoe Humane Society fired its executive director the doors have been closed on the South Lake Tahoe facility.

A sign on the door says it will be closed until further notice.

The sign on the door at Lake Tahoe Humane Society.

Charges have still never been filed against Niki Congero, the executive director who was accused of embezzling more than $100,000. The police department late last year wrapped up its investigation and sent it to the DA. A call earlier this month to the deputy district attorney handling the case went unreturned.

The nonprofit has been limping along this past year. The Humane Society last March secured a hard loan for $180,000 for bills related to the building it owns on Emerald Bay Road. Their payments are current.

The answering machine at the office still lets people leave a message.

A post on the Facebook page “Knuckle Draggers of Tahoe Rejects KDTR” from March 21 says, “These cats need our help! They’re the resident cats at the humane society and the lone worker came to find out today that they were shutting down (secret board meeting) and today is their last day open.”

Judy Brown, the lone employee, could not be reached for comment.