RAPS Responds to Paul J. Henderson Article: Setting the Record Straight on Safe Haven, Governance, and Misinformation
By the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) Eyal Lichtmann
Richmond, BC
A recent article authored by Paul J. Henderson regarding the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS), its CEO Eyal Lichtmann, and the Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven Society presents a narrative that is, in RAPS’ view, materially incomplete, heavily one-sided, and lacking critical factual context.
Given the seriousness of the claims and the reputational implications for multiple individuals, including Carol Reichert, Martin van den Hemel, Ken Johnston, Ena Vermerris, Nicolette Joosting, Chloé MacBeth, Christy Moschopedis, Camilla Coates, Katherine Lemond, Bernadette Maguire, Ayelet Cohen-Weil, Rebeka Breder, Chris Kamachi, and Robyn Wilson, RAPS believes it is necessary to respond clearly, directly, and on the record.
At the center of Henderson’s article is a highly charged narrative suggesting that RAPS is engaged in a “hostile takeover” of the Safe Haven. That claim is false. RAPS was invited to provide advisory support, nothing more. The role was consultative, focused on governance, financial discipline, and animal welfare best practices. At no time did RAPS seek ownership, control, or influence over the Safe Haven’s assets, land, or operations beyond sharing expertise. The repeated suggestion otherwise is not supported by fact.
In fact, RAPS twice over the past month has had its veterinarians visit the Safe Haven’s shelter to provide free veterinary care to dozens of cats and hugely discounted dentals for cats at the RAPS Animal Hospital. The sharing of resources, for the betterment of the cats, is what collaboration between animal rescue organizations should be and RAPS’ involvement with the Safe Haven has always been about the health, safety and betterment of the cats.
The article relies heavily on language designed to provoke concern, phrases such as “fox into a henhouse” and speculation about ulterior motives tied to land value or expansion plans. These are not substantiated conclusions; they are narrative devices specifically designed to create derision and fear. RAPS has stated unequivocally: there is no plan to build a hospital on Safe Haven land, and no intention to take over the organization. These assertions were made clear by RAPS at the open house held by Safe Haven on February 17, 2026, which Henderson would or should have been aware of, and which he totally ignored.
Much of the article further attributes serious claims against the Safe Haven Board and management of bullying, intimidation, wrongful dismissal, and governance misconduct, without presenting verified findings, due process outcomes, or balanced context. RAPS cannot and will not comment on specific personnel matters within another organization. However, it is important to note that organizational change, particularly the introduction of formal governance, financial oversight, and human resource practices, and appointing qualified new management, often generates resistance amongst staff who previously had free reign to utilize organizational resources and make their own decisions. That resistance by staff should not be mischaracterized as evidence of wrongdoing by the Directors looking into establishing best charity organizational practices.
The article also asserts that board appointments at Safe Haven were improper or contrary to bylaws. This reflects, at best, an incomplete understanding of nonprofit governance by Henderson and that he has neither read the Haven bylaws nor the BC Society Act, which are further acts of journalistic negligence on his part. Under the BC Societies Act, boards are permitted to appoint directors to fill vacancies, subject to the Haven bylaws. Presenting this as inherently improper action risks misleading the public about how charities are lawfully governed and an attempt to mischaracterize the professional actions of the Board of Directors.
Henderson, in an interview with the Vancouver Sun, June 07, 2023, stated the following about having been fired as the Editor of the Chilliwack Progress, and that he has experienced personal attacks and harassment in his 17 years of covering the community. “I have thick skin and I don’t let it bother me, usually. It is, however, hard on my wife, and it’s hard to understand the level of hatred and vile behaviour out there.”
However, and unfortunately, this is actually what Henderson is doing to the current Board of Directors, RAPS and their families.
In addition, the article singles out individuals, such as Ayelet Cohen-Weil, Rebeka Breder, and Chris Kamachi, using terms like “loyalists” or implying conflicts based on prior associations. This form of improper journalist characterization substitutes insinuation for evidence and disregards the public statements put out by the Safe Haven Board about the professional skills these people bring to assisting the Safe Haven Board. Professional affiliations do not constitute misconduct, and such framing does a disservice to individuals who have contributed their time and expertise to animal welfare and who have gone out of their way to assist the Safe Haven. And none of them have been dismissed for professional misconduct like Henderson, who purports to be a fair journalist.
The narrative advanced by Carol Reichert within the article similarly requires context. RAPS disputes the suggestion that the organization has declined under its current leadership. Since 2016, RAPS has undergone a documented transformation: strengthening governance, stabilizing finances, modernizing infrastructure, and significantly expanding veterinary capacity. Lichtmann inherited over $1 million in debts and negative cash flow at RAPS after Reichert’s reign as CEO, which nearly financially bankrupted the organization and where around $800,000 was due to veterinary bills owed to local veterinarian hospitals. The current leadership at RAPS has grown the organization to $8.5 million in sustainable operations, saving thousands of more animal lives annually. These are true facts about an organization with advancement and growth in animal welfare.
The creation of the RAPS Animal Hospital has enabled both high-quality care for RAPS animals and millions of dollars in subsidized veterinary services for the public. These are measurable outcomes, not subjective interpretations. These are the tangible benefits RAPS offers people in all of the municipalities across the Lower Mainland.
Claims raised by Martin van den Hemel regarding “questionable accounting” and “sketchy fundraising,” as well as commentary involving Ken Johnston, are presented in the article without supporting findings from regulators, auditors, or legal proceedings. Allegations are not evidence and repeating them without substantiation risks creating a false impression of wrongdoing.
Similarly, highly emotional cases, such as those involving “Rocky” and “Rhoda”, are presented in a manner that omits critical context. RAPS’ position is clear, made public and posted on its website: medical decisions are made by licensed veterinarians, not executive leadership at RAPS, and financial assistance policies are structured to ensure sustainability and fairness across all cases. These policies exist to protect the long-term viability of animal care services, even when individual situations are difficult.
The article also raises concerns about membership activity and participation in Safe Haven governance. RAPS supports lawful member engagement. However, governance decisions must ultimately be guided by bylaws, statutory requirements, and orderly process, not by speculation or attempts to delegitimize participation. The accusations applied to the Safe Haven Board regarding the sign up of members are similar membership drive actions taken by the other side wanting to dismiss the existing Board.
Of particular concern is the article’s use of speculative theories, such as property acquisition motives, presented alongside factual reporting. Suggesting a “more plausible explanation” without evidence blurs the line between reporting and conjecture, leaving readers with conclusions that are not grounded in verified fact. And these assertions were dispelled by the Haven Board, and RAPS’ representative at the Town Hall Meeting, a fact that Henderson left out. Therefore, this is nothing more than attempts to instill fear and mistrust with the public.
RAPS also notes that Paul J. Henderson has publicly stated he was previously removed from an editorial role earlier in his career. RAPS will not speculate on the circumstances of that situation. However, readers are entitled to consider the importance of rigorous standards, balance, and verification in reporting, particularly when serious allegations are involved.
Ultimately, this situation should not be reduced to narratives, personalities, or speculation. The real issue is ensuring that animal welfare organizations operate with strong governance, financial accountability, and sustainable practices that protect both animals and the public trust.
To eliminate any misunderstanding regarding my role, I have formally formally stepped back from my advisory involvement with the Safe Haven. This decision was made solely to prevent further mischaracterization and distraction from the underlying issues that the Safe Haven Board is independently working to address.
RAPS remains focused on its mission: helping animals and the people who care for them. The organization will continue to operate with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to best practices, principles that are essential to any modern, responsible charity and what is required to care for the cats properly and effectively.
As CEO of the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS), I urge the public to approach recent claims with discernment; to seek complete, verifiable information and to distinguish between evidence-based reporting and narrative-driven speculation.
Decisions about the future of the Safe Haven must be grounded in facts, not misinformation. The organization belongs to the community, it is yours to protect or, if misled, to risk losing. We are confident that a fair and informed review of the evidence will demonstrate that the current Board of Directors is composed of ethical, dedicated professionals who are working diligently to implement best practices in governance, financial oversight, and animal care.
RAPS stands for transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. Our track record reflects that commitment.
To better understand the depth and scope of our work, and the standard of care and innovation we bring to animal welfare, we encourage the public to visit our websites and watch our television series Pets & Pickers, available on CTV Wild and Crave TV.
Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven Board of Directors Comments
We are saddened to announce that Eyal Lichtmann has stepped away from his role as an organizational consultant with the Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven. This was not an easy decision. To eliminate any misunderstanding with Eyal’s role with the Haven and due to significant harassment, that he has experienced both online because of unfounded rumors, the Haven Board and Eyal agreed that this step is in the best interests of both parties at this time.
To clarify for those that might have missed this information, RAPS is not taking over the Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven. RAPS is not interfering with the Haven’s governance or trying to take over our land. These are false rumors started in malice by a group of individuals bent on overthrowing the current board and destabilizing the organization by any means possible.
What does this mean for the care of the cats?
RAPS will continue to offer veterinary support to our Haven staff. This includes free vet examinations, reduced medical purchasing, as well as reduced costs for procedures such as dental work. The Haven was recently able to send two cats to RAPS for dental cleanings and extractions, which would have cost 75% more if done elsewhere. A $600 vet bill instead of a $3,000 to $6,000 vet bill means we can help more cats in our community.
What are we asking our community now?
Please refrain from harassing staff, volunteers, and donors from either organization. If you have additional questions, please direct them to info@thesafehaven.ca. Questions or comments posted on social media that are intended to damage the organization or destabilize its operations will be deleted, as they interfere with our ability to focus on our mission.
Regardless of if you agree with the Safe Havens working relationship with RAPS veterinarians, please ask yourself this, are my actions and words going to cause harm to the society or hinder the organizations’ ability to adopt out more cats and care for more cats within our community?
Effective immediately
March 2, 2026
