Animal Welfare Professionals

How do you respond when a shelter director, or a volunteer who's trying to improve a shelter, asks you what to do? When I get such questions, it's often from people who have very little to work with -- not much infrastructure for lifesaving and not much support from the community or local government. So they really need to know how to get started on the road to lifesaving from the ground up. I want to be able to give these people the best possible advice, so I'd love to hear your suggestions.

What I usually do is refer people to consultants like Humane Network and Target Zero, to training programs like the University of the Pacific certificate and the American Pets Alive! conference, to grant-making agencies like Petco Foundation and Maddie's, to the Best Friends regional network, and to anyone in their region who is running a No Kill shelter. I also talk to them about some programs like RTF, transport, and managed admission that aren't expensive to start and can pay big dividends. What are some additional resources or advice for such people?

I would add to your listing attending their State Animal Care and Control Conference (ours is Animal Care and Control of Tennessee).  I also add the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and the Korett Shelter Medicine program at the University of California.  I find that starting with the health of the animals is the most important thing they can learn and implement.  It may not be the cheapest thing, but it is what allows their animals to be more adoptable, definitely helps them get a chance at a transport out, and good record keeping goes a really long way to working with other shelters or rescues.  I share my medical forms, surrender forms and medical knowledge freely with others.  Here, there is no requirements on rescues at all.  We don't have to be non-profits (though we are), no need for licensing or any oversight at all.  So, if someone hasn't told a rescuer that they need a health certificate to cross state lines, then they don't know to get one before sending their animals somewhere out of state. If they don't know that places like MA, CT, RI, etc. require all animals to be fully vetted and heartworm negative.  There is so much to know!

Thanks! Great suggestions. Some of the state federations and AC organizations are doing terrific work. If you ever have time, I'd love it if you would write a guest blog for Out the Front Door on the issue of getting started with medical care first. That makes so much sense.

Susan,  Please tell me how I can do that and I would love to help!

Please send me an e-mail at administrator@outthefrontdoor.com, and thanks so much. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I suggest the Maddie's apprenticeships-- great places to learn lifesaving techniques and network with other shelter staff, not to mention taking a short break from the day-to-day stress of their own shelter.  Apprenticeships are short but intense, which is perfect for group bonding-- apprentices often become kind of a support group for one another. Highly recommend!  I also send them a link to a ton of resources and templates on foster care and marketing.

For short-term help, several groups I'm a part of do donation drives, either online or in-person, if the organization that is asking for help is close. People really seem interested in learning about and helping shelters that need and want help, even if they're not in the same area-- they just need to understand the need is there. Sheltering has been hidden for so long, but just giving people a glimpse of the need out there can really inspire them to act.

Love all the education ideas! 

I think struggling shelters need to be able to taste success. Shelter staff and volunteers can feel so beaten down and especially in high volume situations the door is always revolving and it can feel helpless. Whether success comes from a single adoption event, a small grant award, or a day where every animal got some enrichment-each one should be celebrated! 

In general, I believe that shelters should prioritize quality of life for the animals in their care-through playgroups, group housing for cats, enrichment, foster programs, etc. and with a fantastic quality of life-lifesaving will come! Happy animals get adopted :-)

I'm hearing this from more and more people -- making the shelter a happy place where animals feel good just makes everything start to click. It's something volunteers can do, so it should feasible.