The chief executive of the RSPCA ACT, Tammy Ven Dange, has launched a strident defence of the charity following reports of internal strife.
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However, she has admitted that in the process of making tough decisions for the benefit of the organisation, she may have rubbed "one or two" employees the wrong way.
A number of sources have approached The Canberra Times with allegations of a growing internal rift between frontline staff members and bosses.
Ms Ven Dange said reports of widespread internal issues were damaging and "completely false".
"I can assure our backers that, while I might have one or two individuals that are unhappy with me right now, this is not organisation-wide," she said.
"What frustrates me more than anything is that one or two unhappy people are trying to bring the organisation down."
One source told The Canberra Times that staff felt powerless to raise concerns about the way the organisation was being run.
"All staff are worried about what may happen to them if they say anything," the source said.
Another source added: "My greatest concern about the behaviour of management is the wellbeing of staff and most importantly the animals."
It is understood that one major bone of contention stems from a disagreement about the best way to deal with health and safety issues.
The Canberra Times has been told that a number of staff members have considered speaking directly to the board of the organisation about their concerns.
One source said staff jointly wrote to the board in late April, urging them to investigate the charity.
But Ms Ven Dange said the board had never received such a letter, and board members declined to comment when approached by The Canberra Times.
"Based on the feedback I have from other managers, we are doing a really good job together," Ms Ven Dange added.
"And they are happy with the direction of the organisation."
More importantly, the RSPCA ACT continued to provide excellent care for animals, Ms Ven Dange said.
"We're putting in all these new things. I have another role that we're putting in place next year to add more to our behavioural assessment and training of dogs.
"We added a new role last year to help the dogs that have been there for a long time...we provide the highest levels of welfare for the animals that come to our shelter.
"Financially, our donors have been fantastic and our supporters have been amazing," she added.
The RSPCA ACT recently announced the appointment of lawyer and former police officer Paul Sweeney to the role of general counsel.
Mr Sweeney was responsible for investigating cases of animal cruelty during his eight years as an officer with NSW Police.
"Our inspectorate function is an essential part of the RSPCA's mission to improve animal welfare and respond to instances of animal cruelty in the community," Ms Ven Dange said.
"Paul will bring critical criminal legal knowledge and skills to support this important work, as well as advising the organisation on legal governance and risk matters."