Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only
Expand all | Collapse all

Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

Joel Hess

Joel Hess07-13-2017 05:10 PM

Kim Domerofski (She/Her)

Kim Domerofski (She/Her)07-14-2017 07:25 AM

Maddie

Maddie's Pet Forum Admin05-25-2018 02:42 PM

Cindy Shotwell

Cindy Shotwell06-16-2018 06:53 AM

Kim Domerofski (She/Her)

Kim Domerofski (She/Her)05-01-2019 08:46 AM

  Thread closed by the administrator, not accepting new replies.
  • 1.  Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-12-2017 11:17 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    UPDATED 10/1/2021 - We have started a new introduction thread! If you haven't yet introduced yourself to the community, please take a few minutes to let us know more about you here: https://maddies.fund/introduceyourselfonMPF

    Please take a moment to introduce yourself by answering these three questions: 

    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.)
    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? 

    And feel free to be creative!


    #gettingtoknowyou
    #welcome
    #introductions
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 2.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-13-2017 08:11 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My home is Walla Walla, Washington, the place so nice they named it twice. I am the Executive Director (aka Head Cheerleader) at Blue Mountain Humane Society. If I could be any animal, I would be an otter - because frolicking is my calling.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 3.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-13-2017 10:13 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum, Sara! I love your description of your home town and your reason for being an otter. Happy frolicking!

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 4.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-23-2017 09:39 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Head cheerleader!  I love this--so true!

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 5.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-13-2017 12:47 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I currently live in Garland, TX and am affiliated with Duck Team 6 Street Dog Rescue (DT6) out of Dallas, TX.  I am the President / Director of Operations for DT6, a volunteer position and for a living I am currently in the process of starting a new company.  If I could be any animal I would be one of my dogs because they are spoiled rotten and live an easy life


    #PeopleManagement


  • 6.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-13-2017 04:39 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, Laura!  So then the next question is.... WHICH of your dogs would you be?

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 7.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-17-2017 11:01 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Oooh, good question, Sheila. Just remember, Laura, the forum is a 'safe' place to answer...that is, unless your dogs can read!  

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 8.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-13-2017 05:10 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I love best friends


    #PeopleManagement


  • 9.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-14-2017 07:25 AM
    No replies, thread closed.


  • 10.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-16-2017 07:38 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi there,

       I'm Audrey and I am the Adoption Center Manager at Brother Wolf Animal Rescue in Asheville, North Carolina. If I could be any animal I would be a goat, because they are highly intelligent, good at problem solving, agile, and fun.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 11.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-17-2017 11:00 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Looks like I'm gonna have to learn more about goats now. I love learning about animal behavior but haven't learned much about goats. Thanks for pointing me in a new direction.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 12.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-17-2017 10:16 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Meghan McDermott and I am the Community Outreach & PR Coordinator for the Humane Animal Treatment Society located in Mount Pleasant, MI. If I could be any animal, I would be a dragon (fire-breathing of course) and fly around the world, making bonfires (with my fire-breathing abilities) to make campfire snacks.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 13.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-17-2017 10:58 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Meghan, too funny! I love that your focus is ultimately on s'mores!  Hahahaha!

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 14.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-17-2017 11:19 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My turn! I'm the Manager of Partnerships & Collaboration at Maddie's Fund in Pleasanton, CA (SF Bay area). I live in Fair Oaks, a suburb of Sacramento. If I could be any animal, I would be a dog because they bring such joy to their people!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 15.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-03-2018 04:22 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    And here are my current pups! 


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)



  • 16.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-19-2017 11:02 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I'm Brittany Ransonet! I'm with Maddie's Fund and currently live in Salt Lake City, UT. I'm on the Marketing Communications team doing PR, email promotions, blog content and more. I love every minute of it! If I could be any animal I think I'd be a bird so I could have the ability to fly,  easily see the world and visit the people I love the most! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 17.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-20-2017 03:17 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Oooh, good answer, Brittany. I didn't think about being able to fly around. I want to change my answer now!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 18.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-20-2017 04:42 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am the president of New Beginnings Animal Rescue located in Orangeburg SC. I am a 60 years young, and happily retired. Seems I am busier now then when I was employed. I believe I have found my calling in the animal welfare community. The joy one gets from rescuing a frightened, untrusting animal, and watching it over time to transform into a happy, confident, and loving animal makes all the worry and heartache worth it.

    if I could choose to be any animal, I think I would want to be a rescued dog. I would want this because I would know I have a home, and loving family that will care for me regardless of my past. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 19.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi New Beginnings!

    I love that you have found your calling in the animal welfare community and completely agree with you. There's nothing better than seeing a shy, fearful animal blossom into a healthy, happy confident one! 

    Thanks for joining the Forum!  

    Kim


    #PeopleManagement


  • 20.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-26-2017 11:59 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello! My name is Justine Meyer. I'm with Louie's Legacy Animal Rescue in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I am a board member, volunteer handling web & social stuff, and occasional foster mom. I am a web developer in my day job and freelance, and a social media manager for freelance. I also volunteer with the local Girls Who Code chapter. So I stay busy. If I could be any animal, it would definitely be a sea otter. They just speak to my soul. :-D


    #PeopleManagement


  • 21.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:29 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Justine!

    I've heard such wonderful things about Louie's Legacy. Thank you for fostering in addition to all of your other roles! It sounds like "I stay busy" might be a bit of an understatement!    And ohhhh, those sea otters. They are just so darn cute! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 22.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 07:37 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Justine, boy I wish we lived closer together!  As a Capricorn sun sign, I am all work work work! Last Oct 31 I almost didn't participate in a fundraiser  of GAMES and KIDS!  (=fun - bleh - vbg) I need a person with MORE otter energy in my life!

    Otter's Wisdom Includes:

    • Woman’s healing wisdom
    • Sensibility without suspicion
    • Guidance in unmasking talents
    • Psychic awareness
    • Faithfulness
    • Recovery issues
    • Understanding the value of playtime


    #PeopleManagement


  • 23.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-29-2017 04:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, I'm Stacy and I'm the Treasurer and a board member of Last Hope, Inc. on Long Island in NY. My role outside of the financial responsibilities includes webmaster, merchandise sales, and cat volunteer. I'm a certified feline behaviorist so I also try to help prevent returns of our cats as often as possible when it's due to a behavior issue. The animal rescue work I do is truly my life's calling. It's all on a volunteer basis though, so to pay the bills I work in Strategic Sourcing. When the time comes to retire, it will all be to devote more time to the animals. I would love to be a tiger. They're fierce, but loving with their cubs and beautiful all at the same time. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 24.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:26 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Stacy! 

    Wow, you're a jack of all trades! I'm so glad you joined the forum and hope you can share some of your feline behavior expertise with other forum members. It sounds like you are doing exactly the work you're meant to do. Isn't it wonderful to be following your life's calling? And tigers... stunning!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 25.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 07:29 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Ahhh you do with the cat/tiger what I do with dog/wolf! Truly accessing your spiritual power!

    Tiger's Wisdom Includes:

    • Power

    • Energy

    • Strength and will-power in the face of adversity
    • Acting in a timely manner
    • Action without analysis


    #PeopleManagement


  • 26.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-03-2017 05:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi all, my name is Kim Kamins and I'm the CEO (Cat Executive Officer) and a co-founder of Fearless Kitty Rescue in Fountain Hills, Arizona. I love, love, love being a crazy cat lady.  My job is 100% volunteer because I was lucky enough to retire from law enforcement a few years ago.  Any animal? I would be a honey badger because they are said to be the bravest ("Fearless") animal in the animal kingdom. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 27.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:24 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Kim and welcome to the Forum!

    We're so happy to see you, as one of our original Maddiecammers (http://www.maddiesfund.org/maddiecam-fearless-kitty-rescue.htm), on our new forum. Keep up the great work! 

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 28.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 07:25 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    You bet Kim you have been one of our BEST warriors for the animals since I can remember!

    Badger is the best for our shadow warrior:

    Badger's Wisdom Includes:

    • Keeper of stories
    • Bold Self-Expresssion
    • Aggressiveness
    • Single-mindedness
    • Passion
    • Cunning
    • Revenge
    • Perseverance
    • Control
    • Antidote to passivity or victimization
    • Persistence in the service of a mission
    • Groundedness
    • Knowledge of the earth
    • Earth magick and wisdom
    • Creative action in a crisis
    • Protection of rights and spiritual ideas

    Mine is the wolverine who shares many of the same traits!  I keep hime right in front because both animals are the only two who hunt for the sheer pleasure of taking revenge so I (like you) keep him busy fighting for victims, for those who have no voice against preditors and those who enjoy having power over others who cant fight back!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 29.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-04-2017 03:39 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am President of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies.  I live in Norfolk, VA.  I would love to be a Meerkat - they are so cute and entertaining to watch !  Of course, being one of my dogs wouldn't be bad either - they live a pretty cushy life!!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 30.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:21 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, jasper550!  

    I'm with you -- those meerkats are adorable and so much fun to watch! It's funny (and maybe a little scary) how many Meerkat Manor episodes I could watch in a row when it was on Animal Planet. Very addictive!

    Kim


    #PeopleManagement


  • 31.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-08-2017 02:03 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey there my friend from Norfolk, Virginia!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 32.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 07:17 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    What a great totem for a President!

    Meerkat Wisdom Includes:

    • Maternal nurturing

    • Caretaking

    • Watchfulness

    • Ability to live communally

    • Sacrifice for the good of the group

    and I bet every skill is true for you!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 33.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-05-2017 08:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Greeting from Sharon Brasher in north central Arkansas.  Our group, Friends of Horseshoe Bend Animals, assists the city animal control facility by paying for spay/neuter/vaccination services for the animals adopted from the shelter. This is a low income, rural area and we assist the human community with spay/neuter services, emergency vet care and donate pet food to the food bank.  I started volunteering with animal shelters and animal welfare groups in 1990 in the Dallas, Texas area.  In 2012 I moved to Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas and began volunteering with Friends of Horseshoe Bend Animals.  I currently serve as the president of the organization.    

    Friends of Horseshoe Bend Animals is all about spay/neutering in order to Save Them All.  I spend my summers in western Massachusetts and marvel at the low incident of homeless pets in this area.  Strict spay/neuter laws are the key but until that happens nationwide, animal welfare groups will have to lead the charge.  I guess you could say "fix 'em!" is my life's calling. 

    I would like to be my sister's dog.  She was a stray adopted from animal control and is now living the good life.  These kind of "happily ever after" stories fuel my desire to stay involved.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 34.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:18 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Sharon! Thank you for finding your life's calling and doing everything you can to "fix 'em". By focusing on how you can help pet owners, you are saving lives every day. Kudos to you and your team!

     

    Kim


    #PeopleManagement


  • 35.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-06-2017 08:39 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    LOL I am trapped. I registered as cj@emptybowlpetfodpantry.org instead of emptybowlpetFOOD pantry.org and it would not let me change it on chrome or firefox.  Also All the information I put in yesterday disappears so who is up with that? <vbg>

    While I am based in Phoenix Az, we serve Arizona,working to empower people and communities to better help themselves through their beloved pets.

    In 2010, I suffered the first of four strokes as one of four women who founded a pet food pantry with four bags of pet food and $40.  A couple years later, I was the last founder standing, with more strokes that left me disabled to the point that no one would hire this broken body.  So I charged how we did business in the non profit, became a state FEMA Animal Medical Reserve Corp unit, joined Governor Ducey's Arizona Citizen Corp Council and the Alliance of Arizona Non-profits Leadership Council.  I live to show that everyone can do something, no matter what has happened to them or what condition they are in.

    I walk a shamonic path so am many animals, but the main are to my left is Wolf a teacher, my right is Elk, a teacher of teachers, behind me the Thunderbird by day (univeral translator amnst other meanings) and Phoenix (rebirth/regeneration) by night. In front of me leading the way is my warrior bird - Hummingbird, on my path, the wave rider or eye of the storm.  You can have an adventure by eith using this website to help you http://www.animalspirits.com/ or carry a Ted Andrews book.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 36.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:13 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi CJ! 

    Welcome to the Forum! Sorry for the issue with not being able to update your email address. We are working on adding that functionality. In the meantime, I was able to update your email address. If you click on "Edit My Profile" in the top right hand corner, you should see the updated email address. That is where you should see the profile information you entered. If not, can you re-enter your profile info and hit the Save button. If you aren't able to see your info after that, please let me know. 

    What an incredible history you have. Thank you for sharing your story and animal spirits!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 37.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 06:02 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I am with PAWS Humane Center in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.  I am the Kennel Supervisor/Rescue Coordinator there.  I am looking forward to being part of this group.  We are a shelter that cares very much for our animals, and are constantly looking for ways to make it better, and ways to get our animals out to good homes.

    Tammy


    #PeopleManagement


  • 38.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2017 02:14 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Tammy! I love that your shelter is always looking for ways to improve and find homes for animals. Hopefully connecting with others in this forum will allow you to glean some new ideas and share some of your own!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 39.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-18-2017 07:35 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Amy-Jo Sites and I am the Director for Animal Care & Control in Fort Wayne, IN.  If I could be any animal it would be a dolphin.  They are intelligent creatures yet fierce when need be (hence the ability to scare off sharks)!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 40.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-18-2017 09:38 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks, Amy-Jo, and welcome! Love your animal choice -- intelligent, yet fierce...and fun-loving! What an amazing combination. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 41.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 07:13 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    They ARE!  n my personal life, this is an animals that sits on my left, where I recieve my lessons and help me navigate through my challenges.

    Dolphin/Porpoise's Wisdom Includes:

    • Knowledge of the sea
    • Patron of sailors
    • Change
    • Wisdom
    • Balance
    • Harmony
    • Communication skills
    • Freedom
    • Trust
    • Understanding the power of rhythm in your life
    • Use of breath to release intense emotions
    • Water element magick

    (Water magick helps me understand the difference between emotionality and e-motions with is energy in motion. With my dogs activing as my mirrors, dogs help keep me honest because I am really good at lying to myself about what I am REALLY feeling!)


    #PeopleManagement


  • 42.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-19-2017 06:56 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone!  I'm Zella Anderson, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance (CPAA) based in Mechanicsburg, PA.  If I could be any animal, it would be one of my dogs, as they are living the good life and spoiled rotten!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 43.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-21-2017 11:32 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Zella! I'm with you -- I'd be one of my dogs, too. They have a pretty awesome life!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 44.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 07:02 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    All though my "dog" is a wolf in my professional life.In my personal life I have made a firm understanding with God that if my health EVER takes away my companionship with my dogs, I am OFF of this planet! <vbg> They are our mirrors, our teachers, our healers! I could not exists without their medicine:

    Dog's Wisdom Includes:

     

    • Heals emotional wounds in humans
    • Understanding of the duality of doubt and faith
    • Companionship
    • Unquestioned loyalty
    • Love
    • Knowledge of all things sensual
    • Protection
    • Ability to smell trouble from a distance


    #PeopleManagement


  • 45.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-23-2017 09:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone!  I'm Amber from Maddie's Fund in Pleasanton, CA.  I work in the Grants Department.  If I could be any animal, I would be a seagull because they can fly and swim and are comfortable at the beach, the park, or in cities.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 46.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-23-2017 12:20 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Great point, Amber. The ability to fly and swim (and walk) is a pretty cool combo!! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 47.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 06:56 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    LOL I LOVE people like you! You can do so much with so little and can make things appear when others would say there is nothing there!

    Seagull Medicine are scavengers and opportunists. Even though most Seagull Medicine can successfully co-exist with humans, they can also be so aggressive that they will take food right out of a humans hand. Opportunistists? You betcha! Scavengers?  They can make hay out of sunshine!

    When there is an opportunity, they will in fact take it, which is something most humans still need to learn when it comes to reaching their own personal goals in Life.

    The word "opportunist" does not have to be a negative word. Simply stand in integrity as you take advantage of all opportunities laid out right before you. People like you are few and far between!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 48.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-29-2018 08:26 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Oh wow - thanks CJ - that is so nice of you!  I bet people like you would read things thoughtfully and take the time to respond with kindness are also few and far between!  You made my day!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 49.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-24-2017 10:28 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am Ed Glassner from Heathers Foster Dogs, a small foster group (13 families) in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am a foster, controller, secretary, events coordinator, web fumbler & board member (most people in the group have multiple tasks). Heathers Foster Dogs began operations in early 2014. Most of us had earlier been in a local shelter foster program for up to 7 years. My fantasy would be to be a komodo dragon.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 50.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-24-2017 05:11 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Ed!

    Phew -- your list of roles is impressive. And web fumbler? I'm still laughing about that (but I totally get it)! We believe that fostering is the answer so I love hearing that your group is foster-based. Thanks for introducing yourself and taking on so many roles to help the dogs in your community!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 51.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 06:48 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    We all need a warrior animal to sustain ourselves against the constant battles we fight!

    Komodo Dragon's Wisdom Includes:

    • Ability to enter long dream states

    • Warrior energy

    • Speed

    • Adept use of the Earth’s vibrations

    • Longevity

      Interesting that Komodo Dragon is part of my prayer alter because all my adult life I hae been a warrior and boy, with to effects of  four strokes behind me, I need the help of the speed and sensitivity to what is and isnt working, to minimize the efforts I exert, going on 7 years now.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 52.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-25-2017 04:40 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Queens NY Lawyer Love all animals
    #PeopleManagement


  • 53.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-28-2017 03:59 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Dar! Thanks for joining in the discussion (and loving all animals)!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 54.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-27-2017 11:03 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Everyone!!  i'm playing catchup :-)  Sound familiar?  LOL  My name is Christine Orbeck and I am from Fountain Hills, AZ where I volunteer with Fearless Kitty Rescue.  I am their Director of Donor Relationships, working on building strong lasting ties with our community, donors, volunteers and such.  I work closely with co-founders Kim & Paula running events such as 3K's, Kitty Showers & of course, Strut your Mutt! Just a few of the events we currently have in progress.  I also work on the website, write articles for our newsletter, handy person for the rescue........ a woman of all trades. All my friends tell me in they want to come back as one of my cats.......... I would like to come back as a Koala, my favorite animal as a child.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 55.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-27-2017 11:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Christine!

    Catchup sounds VERY familiar!  Welcome to the Forum. We are huge fans of Fearless Kitty Rescue here at Maddie's Fund so we're thrilled to see you! Kudos to you for wearing so many hats at FKR. What kind of animal was Koala? (Love the name, btw!) 

    Kim


    #PeopleManagement


  • 56.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 06:34 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    When you see Koala' medicine it IS all Kim! 

    Koala's Wisdom Includes:

    • Ability to climb over obstacles

    • Recognizing the value of slow movement

    • Ability to remain above the fray

    • The power of yoga

    • Helpful advice giver

      She is a great Hero for the community and wow, what she has done for the Fountain Hills area is outstanding! I am so proundly humble to be in her circle of influence


    #PeopleManagement


  • 57.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 10-25-2017 01:49 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.)
      Born just outside Philly, grew up in Western MA, currently living in San Antonio, TX, and working for the Humane Network.
    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)
      Enthusiastically consult about anything found at the intersection of a three-region Venn diagram consisting of animal welfare, community-building, and tech/data.
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? 
      A dragon! They're fictional, so I'd be the only one in the world. As a bonus, they're sentient, self-composed, and immortal. Seems like it'd be a hoot.

    #PeopleManagement


  • 58.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 10-27-2017 03:43 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Don! 

    I love your Venn diagram -- It's exactly my life right now! 

    You've got a kindred spirit in the forum who also chose a dragon. Check out the post from Meghan McDermott at Humane Animal Treatment Society marked "Best Answer" on this question. I loved her answer because she included another bonus for you dragon folks -- you could make your own s'mores! 

    Thank so much for joining the forum! 

    Kim


    #PeopleManagement


  • 59.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 06:25 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Mythologicals are very important for totems because they evoke the imagination of what we could be!

    I have the Thunderbird as mine, he sits at my back.  (wolf on my left to help me receive, elk on my right to help me teach teachers, and hummingbird in front as the untimate warrior bird...)

    Dragon's Wisdom Includes:

    • Born of Fire

    • Protector

    • Exists between thoughts

    • Ability to move between worlds

    • Connection to the birth of the Universe

    • Red Dragon sleeps in the core of the Earth

      So wonderful because you work between the tech world and your reality world, helping to protect those without voices!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 60.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-01-2017 04:08 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.) 
      •    I live in Tucson, Arizona.
    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)
      •   I am currently the Shelter Director at HOPE Animal Shelter in Tucson, Arizona.  We are a shelter and sanctuary dedicated to saving the lives of the dogs and cats in Pima County, who are most at risk.  We offer lifelong sanctuary whenever necessary for our dogs and cats.  I am a huge nerd when it comes to all things animal welfare.  You should see my google alerts.  I also love reading about behavior.  I love animal welfare, because of the animals, but also because there is always something to learn!
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why?
      •    Wow, hard question.  There are some Cooper's Hawks living in a tree by our shelter, who I am pretty mesmerized by.  This answer changes daily.  Today, a Cooper's Hawk. 

    #PeopleManagement


  • 61.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-06-2017 06:42 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Rory, I'm so happy to have you in the forum! I'm right there with you on all things animal welfare and behavior. After reading your answer, I want to change my answer about which animal I want to be -- I think my answer changes daily based on who I happen to be watching, too. 

    Looking forward to your contributions in the forum. Thanks for joining!

    Kim


    #PeopleManagement


  • 62.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-07-2017 06:10 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Wow what a great totem for a Director!

    Hawk's Wisdom Includes:

    • Clear-sightedness
    • Being observant
    • Far-memory
    • Messages from spirit
    • Guardianship
    • Recalling past lives
    • Courage
    • Wisdom
    • Illumination
    • Seeing the larger picture
    • Creativity
    • Truth
    • Experience
    • Wise use of opportunities
    • Overcoming problems


    #PeopleManagement


  • 63.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-09-2017 07:30 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey Everyone!

    My name is Emily Grossheider and I am the Chief Innovation Officer for Dogs Playing for Life. Our organization is based out of Longmont, Colorado, but I am lucky enough to live in Santa Barbara, California! 

    My life's calling is to make sheltering a better experience for animals and the people that care for them. I am working on accomplishing that by working for Dogs Playing for Life-where we mentor shelter staff and volunteers to get their dogs out to play! 

    If I were to be any animal, it would be a caterpillar-my future would be so bright as a butterfly! 

    Can't wait to learn more about y'all and work on some solutions together! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 64.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-13-2017 11:02 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Emily!   Good to see you here!! LOVE your choice of animal

     

    Sheila


    #PeopleManagement


  • 65.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-13-2017 02:57 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I agree with Sheila. Great animal choice. You figured out a way to choose TWO favorites!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 66.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-13-2017 05:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello everyone! My name is Mikel (pronounced "Michael") Delgado and I am a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. My background is in cat behavior, and cat behavior consulting -- I worked in the Cat Behavior Program at the SF/SPCA from 2001-2008, when I left to co-found my consulting business, Feline Minds. I recently finished my PhD and am just starting a research program to study the development and social behavior of cats in homes and rescues, while doing some work with Maddie's Fund! 

    My life's calling is to help people understand cats!!! And make the world a better place for animals. 

    And if I could be any other animal besides human hmmm, I would probably pick a crow because they are cautious, clever, kind of naughty, and good problem-solvers.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 67.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 12:56 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Mikel. So excited to have you share your expertise in all things cat! Go crows!!! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 68.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-14-2017 08:49 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Kelly Duer, and I'm the Foster Expansion Coordinator for a study of foster care for adult dogs that's based out of Austin Animal Center. If I could be any animal, it would probably be a raven. They can fly, which would be cool. They're also super smart and they sometimes work together-- one of my favorite stories from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is that the ravens in their wildlife center made friends with the local wild ravens and have been known to sneak food out to them.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 69.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 12:58 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Kelly. We're all excited to learn about your findings on the adult dog foster care study! 

    I hadn't heard about the ravens at BF making friends with the wild ravens -- too cool!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 70.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-15-2017 11:44 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone! My name is Cameron Moore and I'm the program manager for Million Cat Challenge.  I work for the University of Florida in Gainesville, but actually live in Jacksonville. I recently joined the MCC team after spending 3 years as a shelter consultant for Target Zero, which focused efforts on helping open admission shelters implement strategies to productively decrease shelter intake while increasing live outcome opportunities for those that enter the shelter system. It is very rewarding to empower shelter staff with lifesaving tips that also streamlines workflow and helps them get off the treadmill that always seems to be moving too fast. I look forward to continue helping shelters around the country in my new role!

    I also founded a small nonprofit cat rescue called Lucky Cat Adoptions which works closely with open admission shelters around Florida and Georgia. We pull cats and kittens for adoption to help shelters avoid overcrowding and euthanasia. Since 2005 we have helped over 8,500 cats and kittens.

    If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a sloth! I think their laid back personalities and love of naps are right up my alley!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 71.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:02 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Cameron. So excited you're here! 

    I think you're the first person who selected sloth. Laid back and naps -- sounds dreamy!   Did you see Zootopia? The sloths at the DMV were my favorite part of that movie! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 72.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-15-2017 09:24 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi there! My name is Staci Cannon and I live in Nashville, Tennessee, but I grew up in Aiken, SC, and spent 8 years in Athens, GA.  I'm pretty attached to the Southeast! I am a veterinarian, and I have been the medical director at Metro Animal Care and Control in Nashville for a little more than 2 years now.  I am board certified in Shelter Medicine Practice, and I really enjoy learning and working with other folks in the sheltering world to improve the care that we provide to animals in our communities.  I struggle trying to pick an animal, but I think cats are pretty phenomenal - I could be athletic, beautiful, quirky, cunning, and lounge around for the majority of the day!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 73.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-17-2017 07:12 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello Staci!  Nice to see you here on the forum.  I look forward to our discussions and thanks for all the great work you are doing in the great state of Tennessee.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 74.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:04 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Staci. I love that you'll be sharing your shelter medicine expertise and experience in the Southeast US! And I agree -- cats are pretty phenomenal!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 75.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:27 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Staci!!  Glad to see you here!  How are you like your job in Nashville? I can't believe it's been two years already!

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 76.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-03-2017 09:30 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Staci is a great resource for our state and she has spoken at our Animal Care and Control Association of TN Conferences about shelter medicine.  She is very knowledgeable!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 77.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-16-2017 06:45 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello. I'm Susan Houser and I live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where I moved after retiring from my job as an attorney with the Department of Justice in D.C. I write the Out the Front Door blog and its associated social media. If I could be any animal it would be a New Caledonian Crow, because I'd probably gain some IQ points.

    I'm very excited about this period in No Kill because it seems like everything is coming together and we're making incredible progress. There are so many new ideas and new No Kill communities that it's really hard to keep up! I'm hopeful about the possibilities of this forum, because there is a huge need for a No Kill platform where people can get information and network.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 78.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-17-2017 07:11 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome Susan!  I am glad to meet you here.  I read your blog regularly and have always wanted to know more about the author.  You write some well-researched pieces that are a very important part of the digital discussion about animal shelters. Thank you for what you do in your retirement.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 79.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:08 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Susan, you're probably tired of hearing how excited we are to have you in the forum, but... we're so excited! Thanks for joining! 

    The Caledonian Crow, huh? I'm with you -- I'd probably gain some IQ points, too. Very cool that crows can make complex tools that we thought only humans could make!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 80.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-16-2017 12:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I'm Lesa Staubus, rescue veterinarian for American Humane.  I live in Stillwater, OK, with responsibility over the South-Central region of the US, but work wherever our disaster response team is deployed. I have a background in veterinary education at Oklahoma State University.

    If I could be any animal, I would be a jaguar, ideally living deep in the Amazon.  They amaze me with their power and beauty, and how great to be a cat that loves to swim.  I can only imagine what my mate might be like... probably a little scary, but exciting and brutally good-looking!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 81.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:11 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining, Dr. Staubus! I'm so glad we have your expertise in disaster relief. I'm sure you've been quite busy this year!  Jaguars -- stunning!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 82.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-16-2017 02:10 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.)
    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? 

    I am Liz Gray, a veterinarian at the Humane Society of Central Oregon in Bend, OR. I have a background (masters degree, CPDT cert, etc) and special interest in animal behavior, and worked as an associate vet at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland for a year and a half. I also have worked as a behaviorist and vet in two separate shelters in this area. So I think my life's calling is optimizing animal mental health as a component of their physical health, but I'm still sorting out how to make that a reality. If I could be any animal, I would have to go with bald eagle. Amazing to soar like that!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 83.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:15 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Dr. Gray! I'm an animal behavior geek, too. I love what you said about optimizing animal mental health as a component of their physical health. The more experience I have with animals, the more obvious it is that mental health affects every aspect of their lives.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 84.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-18-2017 08:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I’m Shelly and I’m a veterinarian in Lafayette, La. I’ve been in shelter practice/spay/neuter for about 9 years. Currently, Lafayette has a goal to get to No Kill at our municipal shelter by 2020. Exciting things happening here! 

    If I could be any animal, it would be a bird, so I could fly above traffic! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 85.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:17 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining, Shelly. It's great to hear that Lafayette is working towards No Kill by 2020! I hope our forum members can help provide all the resources you need to make it happen!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 86.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-18-2017 10:56 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Dr. Sasha Protopopova (full first name, Alexandra) and I'm an assistant professor in the department of Animal and Food Sciences at Texas Tech University. I conduct research on shelter best-practices in all kinds of programs ranging from intake procedures to increasing adoptions. Aside from the research, my lab works closely with several West Texas shelters to improve life-saving. If I can be any animal, I would be an indoor/outdoor cat in a busy family- I would be able to go exploring, meet up with cat acquaintances, bask in the sun, but also go home and get cuddles, food, and play with the family.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 87.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:18 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Sasha! Looking forward to hearing your research results on shelter best practices when you're able to share them!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 88.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-19-2017 11:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello All, 

    I am Terry Spencer.  I work as the online curriculum coordinator for the Maddie's Online Graduate Program in Shelter Medicine where I develop courses for the Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine and the MS Concentration in Shelter Medicine offered through the University of Florida.  While I work for UF as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, I also work full-time as a veterinarian in Chattanooga, TN.  

    I am very happy to be here on the Maddie's Forum and just created a new group to connect with others on the forum who spend their days teaching shelter medicine around the USA and the planet.  Please ask to join the group if that includes you!  

    My totem animal has always been an owl.  I often think of myself at a tiny Burrowing Owl, but sometimes I feel stronger like a Great Horned Owl.  Depends on the day... 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 89.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:23 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    So happy to have you join the forum, Terry! Thank you for creating the Shelter Medicine Educators forum group and inviting others to join. And thank you for everything you have done to get Shelter Medicine where it is today!

    If there are shelter medicine educators who want to join Terry's group, click on the Groups tab at the top of the page and then click on the 'Ask to Join' button next to the Shelter Medicine Educators group in the Private Groups column. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 90.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:29 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Terry!  So gald to see you here! look forward to connecting here


    #PeopleManagement


  • 91.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-20-2017 11:55 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Good morning!  My name is Terri Duncan, and I'm the founder of Allie's Pals Cat Rescue.  I've got about 18 years of feline rescue experience, but running your own organization, I've found, is a whole new kettle of fish!  I'm particularly grateful for the support of Maddie's Fund!  You guys are the best.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 92.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My two favorite Terries joined the forum at the same time   Welcome!!!  So glad to have you here!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 93.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:35 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Terri. Your experience with all things kitty, starting your own 401k rescue group, and running a rescue group will be a great resource for other forum members. I'm so glad you've joined!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 94.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-20-2017 04:58 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone! My name is Kristi. I'm from Tualatin, Oregon (south of Portland metro area). I'm the director of operations at Cat Adoption Team, and I foster kittens. If I could be any animal, I would want to be a dolphin in the wild.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 95.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:31 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Kristi,

    Thanks for joining the forum, its nice to see you here!  How are things at Cat Adoption Team??

     

    Sheila


    #PeopleManagement


  • 96.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:36 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Kristi. We love Cat Adoption Team and your amazing foster resources. So glad you'll be able to connect with others in the forum!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 97.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-21-2017 09:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I am Stacy LeBaron from Warren, Vermont(we had snow last night!)

    I am the host of the Community Cats Podcast and the Online Cat Conference.  I am from Warren, Vermont. 

    If I could be any animal I would be a bunny because of the story of the Tortiose and the Hare.....  I tend to work in sprints- just like the Hare-so I get it!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 98.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:30 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Stacy!

     

    Thanks for joining the forum. I totally get your choice of  bunny. I feel like i'm tortoise and hare every other day these days! Hare one day cos i'm so busy, and tortoise the next day cos i'm so tired, lol


    #PeopleManagement


  • 99.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:37 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Stacy. (Can't believe you already had snow two weeks ago -- hello Winter!)  I'm looking forward to reading your posts and learning more from you!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 100.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-22-2017 02:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi There! My name is Nikole Nichols. I worked in animal welfare for almost 15 years, first as a volunteer director at Town Cats, a no kill cat shelter in Morgan Hill, CA, and then at Nevada Humane Society as the Community Programs Manager in Reno, NV. At NHS I managed the Volunteer, Foster and Feral Cat programs as well as a variety of community service and children programs. Sadly, a year ago, I had to leave animal welfare for health reasons. I feel like I've learned and experienced so much in animal welfare that I'd love to share. My heart and passion still belong to animal welfare and hope I can pass along some of my experiences.

    If I could be any animal...most people would expect me to say cat as I'm a big cat person. However, before I ever became a cat person, I fell in love with moose. They seem big, clumsy and wise.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 101.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:40 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Nik ~ Thanks for joining the forum. You have such a great variety of experiences that others can learn from. I'm sorry to hear that you had to leave the animal welfare field but am glad that you're still helping by participating in the forum!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 102.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-24-2017 06:58 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi 

    My name is Rita, I´m form Brazil (Curitiba, Paraná. I´m Professor (Shelter Medicine, Legal Medicine and Public Health).

    If Ii could be any animal, I would like to be a bird, FREE BIRD!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 103.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 01:34 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Rita,

     

    Welcome to the forum! I think you're our first person from Brazil Do shelters in Brazil tend to be small or large? Do they house dogs and cats or just dogs?

     

    Thx

    Sheila


    #PeopleManagement


  • 104.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 02:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Rita! Looking forward to hearing your perspective from Brazil!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 105.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-27-2017 01:26 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Salem Oregon Willamette Humane Society.  Current role is raising sponsorship.  I would still be a human.  I think I am pretty good at it :-)

      


    #PeopleManagement


  • 106.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 02:34 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Too funny, Bubba! I don't know you yet but I think you're a pretty good human, too!   Welcome to the forum!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 107.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-29-2017 02:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Greenville, South Carolina.  Greenville County Animal Care.  Head of Shelter Operations.  I think I would like to be a swan - so graceful and elegant


    #PeopleManagement


  • 108.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 02:35 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Patti~ Thanks for joining the forum! I think you're our first swan so far. You're right -- so graceful and elegant!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 109.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 12:36 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Tori Fugate, and I'm the Director of Marketing & Communications for KC Pet Project, the nonprofit operating the Kansas City, MO municipal shelter. I think I'd have to say a Pomeranian as my animal. I have one and if I could live the life of luxury with grooming appointments, endless naps, and yelling at squirrels, I'd take it. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 110.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-30-2017 02:37 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    So glad you're here, Tori! You have such great marketing initiatives -- looking forward to your posts! Endless naps and yelling at squirrels, huh? Sounds like my retired dad... HA! j/k


    #PeopleManagement


  • 111.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-04-2017 11:32 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, My name is Nikita and I'm from Placerville Ca. I work for the Sacramento SPCA as the Staff Training and Retention Coordinator. I recently accepted this position within our organization and am currently in the process of  building this program.  I have worked at the Sacramento SPCA for the past 10 years in a few different positions including Animal care, Supervising our high volume Spay and Neuter clinic, and managing our Adoption program.

    I'm hoping to gain more insight from other organizations who have programs such as Staff Training and Retention in order to build a successful program at our shelter. 

    Thank you for any help you can offer.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 112.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-04-2017 12:11 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Nikita ~

    Welcome to the forum! So glad you joined! I love that your position includes retention along with training.

    I just adopted a new family member from Sacramento SPCA in October and had a great experience. Your adoption counselors and behavior staff were great helping with a meet and greet with my other pup! Meet Dexter, the smallest dog I've ever shared my life with. I'm all about the big dogs so this is a whole new experience!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 113.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-05-2017 10:36 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Kim,

     I'm so happy to hear that your experience was pleasant and that he is fitting well in your family. I completely understand the size adjustment. I myself have 2 dogs over 110lbs and just the thought of adopting a tiny would be a huge adjustment. One I think I would enjoy but still a big difference.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 114.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-08-2018 10:11 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Nikita,

    I'm from IndyHumane in Indianapolis, IN.  I'd love to hear more about how and why your position was started.  I love this idea as we strive to retain our talented staff.  What a great initiative by SSPCA.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 115.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-05-2017 05:40 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm from Portland, Oregon where I'm the executive director of the Cat Adoption Team (CAT). I think I'd be either a big cat or a dolphin. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 116.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-06-2017 03:15 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Karen! Glad to have you join us!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 117.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-13-2017 05:37 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am from Underhill VT with All Breed Rescue, Inc. I am a volunteer, the President and the Treasurer. If I could be any animal I would be a Golden Retriever. That is probably why I adopt so many.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 118.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-13-2017 05:57 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Carolyn! Oh, those Goldens!!! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 119.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-21-2017 05:12 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello!  I am Samantha Sullivan, the operations manager for Town Cats in Morgan Hill, CA.  If I could be any animal, it would be a wild cat.  I am not picky, I would happily be a tiger, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, sand cat, you name it!  They are majestic and beautiful, each and every one of them in their own way!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 120.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-22-2017 09:37 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Samantha, I don't think we've ever met. I was on the board and a volunteer director at Town Cats under Rosi 2003-2010. I started Wine and Whiskers and the Calendar. Town Cats is where I started my career in Animal Welfare. From there I moved to Nevada and started working at Nevada Humane Society. I try to keep up on TC stuff through the web site and emails. TC is near and dear to my heart. I had two Town Cats....one is still with us. Glad to see you on here and glad TC is still going strong.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 121.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-08-2018 11:12 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm Scott Trebatoski. I run the Pet Resource Center in Hillsborough County, FL (Tampa). We are the public shelter and animal control agency for the county. Our intake is around 20,000 per year and we try to be as transparent and progressive as we can be. Our volunteer program is growing and being integrated into the very fabric of all operations thanks to Best Friends and the Points of Light Foundation which are helping us become a service enterprise that values volunteerism at all levels and operations. It is a major shift in long-term culture here but the dividends are worth the investment and stress of culture change. I've been working as the director of various animal control organizations for nearly two decades in three different communities and am always willing to help where I can with support or information. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or ideas for public open admission animals shelters and/or animal control programs.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 122.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-08-2018 05:59 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Scott! We love what you're doing and are excited to have you share your experiences! Thanks for joining!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 123.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-07-2018 12:17 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello! I'm Luke Westerman. I left Wall Street and the VC biz to devote 100% of my energy to my true calling in life, which is saving animal lives, advocating on their behalf and improving the laws that protect them (while encouraging and empowering others to do similarly). I'm currently the Executive Director of the Humane Society of El Paso where my goal is to help make El Paso a passionately No-Kill community. If I were an animal, I'd choose to be a lion and would relentlessly hunt the poachers responsible for eradicating endangered species.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 124.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-08-2018 11:15 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Love the passion behind your spirit animal! Welcome to the forum, we're happy to have you.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 125.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-08-2018 10:17 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!  Lisa from Carson City, Nevada.  I'm am a new member of Humane Network, with a background in teaching, law enforcement, and creating a non-profit to help build a shelter (which we did!).  I'm honestly thinking it would be pretty nice to be Hank, our crazy rescue...


    #PeopleManagement


  • 126.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-14-2018 04:06 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Lisa! I love your varied background -- you're a renaissance woman! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 127.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-17-2018 10:51 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you!  I have a lot to learn but I'm an eager student. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 128.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-15-2018 05:05 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello everyone: My name is Susan Russell, Executive Director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, and if I could be any animal, I'd be a fat cat owned by my dad.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 129.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-16-2018 04:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Susan! Ya gotta love the fat cats...and their people who love them!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 130.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-19-2018 11:29 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Michelle Brignac and I am the Director of St.Martin Parish Animal Services in St. Martinville Louisiana.

    If I could be any animal, I would be a Dolphin they always seem to be happy, they are very social and I cant even imagine all of the wonderful things that they know that humans may never discover. Plus I love the water so swimming every day..... nothing would be better than that!!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 131.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-21-2018 05:13 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Michelle! Oh, what fun it would be to be a dolphin -- swimming, jumping, playing, hanging out with friends... you're right! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 132.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-23-2018 09:46 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Brian Meade. I am the shelter director for Port Jervis Humane Society in southwestern NY, along the Delaware River. I have a long history of wildlife rehab, farm animal rescue and avian welfare & behavior under my belt as well.

    If I could be one animal... a Raven. Those birds are large and intelligent enough to handle themselves, but also know how to have a good time!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 133.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-26-2018 01:30 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Brian! Thanks for joining the forum. With your history, you've helped so many different species of animals. Love it!!!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 134.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-27-2018 08:13 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Rain Jordan. I'm late to introductions!  I'm originally from the San Francisco bay area of California; the farthest from there I had ever lived was the Monterey Bay area of California, until late 2015, when my hubby and I left almost everything--except our pets of course--behind, including a fairly successful real estate business, and sold our Santa Cruz home in order to get down payment funds to purchase a more suitable property for the dog rescue. What we sought for the rescue was not affordable for us in California, so here we are in Oregon now. 

    I run the rescue full time, which includes a lot of emotional rehabilitation as well as behavioral and skills training for the dogs to help them prepare to live happy lives as companion animals.  I am also a behavioral trainer separately from the rescue (R+, clicker training, CC/DS, force free, etc.) though currently my time is mostly taken up with the rescue, the rescue's dogs, and programs offered by the rescue.  Previously I was an artist (painting, sculpture, drawing) and still do art when I can find time. I also taught college for several years (English, creative writing, poetry), and have been a published author under a nom de plume since the early 2000s. 

    If I could be any animal, I would be an as-yet undiscovered animal: This animal would have amazing, unstoppable powers of Persuasion (convincing humans to support animal rescue, be kind to animals, etc.), Endowment-Attracting (easily bringing in all the funding needed for all of us to succeed in our missions of helping animals), Courage (to speak up and stand up for animals--in a constant effort to put a stop to their suffering), and Enchantment (able to cast magical spells over the entire planet, so that even if the other, more human-like qualities of this new animal failed, this quality would still be able to save all the creatures of this world).  

    This new animal is the softest we've ever known. Its body is covered with Rapunzel-long hair. Its face, just huge, sad eyes. 

    This new animal is the most priceless discovery of our time.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 135.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-28-2018 11:23 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Rain! I love, love, love your answer and have selected it as the new Best Answer in this thread. Your as-yet undiscovered animal IS priceless! Congratulations to you and your husband for making such a huge life change to follow your hearts and make your dream come true!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 136.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-28-2018 02:46 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you, Kim <3 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 137.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-04-2018 12:13 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Patti Hack, work for the Humane Society in El Paso Texas. I am the Adoption Ambassador Program Manager. I would definitely be a cat, a black cat with emerald green eyes! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 138.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-06-2018 12:11 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Patti! A sleek black cat with emerald green eyes -- beautiful combo!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 139.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-05-2018 08:37 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    LD Garrison from Lone Oak (Hunt County), Texas and I am the president/founder of Hunt County Pets Alive.  I am also a rural mail carrier in my small town.  There are 2 kill shelters in my county where we keep hitting brick walls with when we try to get them to open a few hours on Sat for adoptions and rescue transfers.  I would want to be a horse and run like the wind!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 140.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-06-2018 12:13 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, LD! Ah yes, wouldn't it be amazing to be able to run like the horses!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 141.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-12-2018 09:31 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Jack Novoselski and I am president of the SouthEast Beagle Rescue in Tampa, Florida.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 142.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-14-2018 03:50 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Jack!  Welcome to the group!  (We in Louisiana LOVE Jack and SEBR!  He is an amazing rescuer!)  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 143.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-14-2018 10:16 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! I have just moved to Tuscon AZ from Maryland. In Maryland I was a rescue coordinator for the Prince George's County Animal Services Division. Here in Tucson I will be the Adult Dog Foster Coordinator for Pima Animal Care Center! I am so excited to start this new journey with PACC and Maddies Fund! I look forward to being able to lend a hand to building something new and exciting. 

     

    There are so many wonderful animals to choose from for the question if you could be any animal what would you be and why... 

    I'm going to have to say a Dog though. because they are my absolute favorite. The human canine bond is so special. And when my owner has to go to work in the morning I will lay in all the pillows and blankets and look over my shoulder at them, giving one thud of the tail on the bed as if to say "Have a nice day at work, I will lay here and hold the fort down today"  

     

    I cant wait to get to meet everyone on the forums!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 144.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-26-2018 08:37 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Patricia! I love your animal choice. It would be pretty amazing to experience the human canine bond from the dog perspective. Plus to of course lay on all the pillows and blankets possible, preferably near a heater. I also think it'd be great to be a ranch dog that gets to roam the land, making sure operations are running smoothly and all other animals are behaving.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 145.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-16-2018 08:16 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.)

    I'm originally from San Francisco, but I currently live in Michigan.

    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)

    I've been a communications consultant for Maddie's Fund since 2007. I do the same work for a number of other animal welfare and veterinary organizations and brands.

    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? 

    I'm good with homo sapiens, because I really like the human brain. I'm also very fond of technology and opposable thumbs.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 146.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-23-2018 11:02 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi all! I'm Caitlin Quinn and I'm the Director of Operations for a nonprofit organization called HeARTs Speak, whose mission is to provide photography and marketing resources, tools, and training to shelter and rescues. We all know that marketing --the images, stories, and ways we promote our work in the animal welfare field --is critical to connecting with new adopters, donors, volunteers, and clients who need our help. Our team is incredibly passionate about making all-things-marketing more easily accessible and accomplished for every organization, no matter the resources or skill set.

    I'm from the Hudson Valley region of NY, where I live with my dogs and husband. And if I could be any animal, it'd be an eastern blue bird - I've always loved birds of all kinds, and blue birds are some of my favorites. They have a beautiful song, are exceptionally colorful and bright, are a symbol of happiness, and while they were once on the decline, have made a strong comeback, speaking to their resilience and perseverance. Plus they are NY's state bird  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 147.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-26-2018 09:10 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Caitlin! I love the mission of HeARTs Speak. A lot of my background is in marketing with a focus in social media brand management, content, marketing designs & emails so in that vast world of marketing, the need for an org like HeARTs Speak sounds like such a great resource for shelters & rescues. I'm such a sucker for marketing so the idea of coming up with great strategies and campaigns for rescues & shelters to help find homes for their animals sounds like a treat each time. Do you have any success rates of increased adoptions since working with specific shelters or rescues?

    I recently moved to Oregon and now am lucky to take in the beautiful sights of Mountain Bluebirds making nests in the trees around my house. I still can't get over their brilliant colors and can't wait to see more of them this Spring!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 148.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-06-2018 08:37 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Charlotte, it's such a pleasure to meet you! Will you be at Animal Care Expo? I'd love to meet in person! Yes, the work that we get to do at HeARTs Speak is a real treat --we have so many ideas and plans, the only thing that stops us is time/resources We have been collecting pre/post data from one of our programs, the Perfect Exposure Project (1 and 2 day intensive workshops on photography and marketing topics), and in the majority of cases (we've done 25 workshops thus far) there is a decrease in length of stay and an increase in live release post-training, pointing to some encouraging information regardinghow marketing training may be a contributing factor (among other lifesaving innovations!). 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 149.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-09-2018 01:20 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Yes, I'll be there! You can find me at the Maddie's Fund booth talking about Maddie's Pet Forum! Come by, would love to meet you too and talk more. Is the Perfect Exposure Project done all in person? I'm definitely not surprised by hearing those rates go up. I'm someone who thinks in content so teaching those best practices to organizations and shelters who have nothing but adorable cat & dog content to capture and share with the world to find them homes is a win all around. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 150.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-23-2018 03:13 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello from RedRover! My name is Karly and I work in Sacramento, California as the Director of Education and Outreach. Like many of us, I wear many hats at our organization. I oversee our education and training programs including our RedRover Readers program, dabble in HR and Operations, serve as production manager for our new Kind News magazine, facilitate workshops and oversee staff on-boarding and ongoing staff development and management. I volunteer with the Association of Professional Humane Educators (APHE) serving as a Board of Director for APHE helping with marketing and development efforts mostly. I am excited to join you and can't wait to learn with each of you on the various discussion boards. I am not sure what animal I would be, maybe an eagle? I travel a lot for work and love being above the clouds in the smooth air gliding forward. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 151.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-26-2018 08:28 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Karly! Looking forward to learning more from you. Let us know if you there's anything we can do to help you get the most out of Maddie's Pet Forum!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 152.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2018 03:01 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone!

    My name is Keith Mikus, and I'm the Canine Programs Coordinator for ACCT Philly (Philadelphia Animal Control). I'm from right outside of Philly and have lived here all my life. As Canine Programs Coordinator, I am essentially a Jack of all Trades where I help with general shelter flow of dogs once intaked at our shelter, but I focus mostly on dog triage, coordinating and creating onsite programs, coordinating for onsite events, and running the Dog Foster Program by myself. Needless to say I'm very busy, but I've been working on cultivating a base of dedicated, trained volunteers who are taking up leadership positions so we can be more effective as a team.

     

    In terms of what animal I would be, I really don't know. Probably a bird due to the freedom, but I think echolocation is pretty amazing, so maybe a dolphin! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 153.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-28-2018 01:43 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello Keith, I started as the lone volunteer Foster Coordinator for Austin Pets Alive! and grew it into a team of approximately 35 volunteers, including 5 teams with team leads. I've developed tips for growing a dog foster program that I would be happy to share with you. It's also something we cover in the Maddie's Dog Foster Apprenticeship http://www.maddiesfund.org/apprenticeship-program.htm#fostering

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 154.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-05-2018 06:16 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone! My name is Donna Casamento, I am the Chief Program Officer at Michelson Found Animals Foundation. My primary focus is on our Microchip Registry and our two Adopt & Shops in the Los Angeles area. You can often find me at various Animal Welfare conferences around the country. If you ever find yourself attending one please stop by our booth and say hello!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 155.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-27-2018 02:57 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello!

    My name is Kalyn Nilsson, I am from Lynnwood, WA, where I work for PAWS!  I grew up about 3 minutes from the shelter I currently work for, and I am so happy to give back to my community.  I began as a volunteer for PAWS in 2012 after graduating college with a degree in Zoology.  My first position was as an intern who did Meet Your Match assessments on the cats and the dogs in the shelter.  About a year and a half later, I was hired to work at our Cat City location as an adoption advisor, and now I have TWO positions at PAWS!  I am a Customer Service Representative and a Foster Care Assistant at our shelter, and have been working in foster care for over two years now.  It is absolutely one of my favorite parts of my job.  If I were to be any animal, I would be any one of those big cats out there.  So fluffy and fierce!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 156.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-02-2018 02:10 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Susan Willard.  I am from Lake Jackson, TX.  I am the shelter pet health manager for the SPCA of Brazoria County.  I would like to thank Maddie's for the invitation and look forward to learning from all of you.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 157.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-03-2018 12:31 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello! Lydia here. 
    I'm from the Netherlands and I currently work as a cat behaviorist and I volunteer as a coordinator foster families (for cats) for an organisation. I'm currently studying my second cat behavior study (forever student) which I enjoy. 

    If I could be any animal, I'd be a cat. They have quit the relaxed life and of course, staff.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 158.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-04-2018 09:57 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!! My name is Teresa Bateman and I am the SNyPS and Foster Care Coordinator with the SPCA of Northern Nevada located in Reno, NV. I was raise in a small town in Texas (San Marcos) most my life and moved to Connecticut to finish off high school. I moved to Nevada in 2002 where I began a career as a Program Assistant for the mental heath and completed my Associates Degree in 2012 for Health Care Administration. I started working for the SPCA of Northern Nevada in January of 2018 and it has been the best career decision I have made. If I could be any animal it would be a wolf. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 159.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-09-2018 11:22 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is India Griffin. I am from La Mirada (Los Angeles County), California. I recently founded FAR Side Journey Rescue and I'm now working on expanding its reach. I'm looking forward to learing from all the experience in this forum.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 160.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-23-2018 09:43 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Cheryl Johnston. I am late answering because that is how I roll.  My organization is the Forever Home Feline Ranch - cat rescue and sanctuary located in Rochester, Illinois.  I wear so many hats it is crazy- official hats are Vice President and Co-Founder.  If I could be any animal I would be a cat because hello....I run a cat rescue.  I grew up with dogs but have gone to the other side.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 161.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-24-2018 06:40 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm Cara Achterberg from New Freedom, Pennsylvania. I foster dogs through Operation Paws for Homes (based in Alexandria, VA but spread out from there to four other states). We're on foster #108. 

    I'm a writer by trade (novelist, columnist, blogger, freelancer) so in addition to fostering, I write about it extensively. In fact, I have a memoir coming out about our experiences (Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs) being published by Pegasus Books this August. I plan to combine the book tour with adoption events/rescue awareness and visit many of the shelters that we pull dogs from in my travels to bring donations (collected at events) and publicity for the adoptable dogs. So this book isn't just a book, it's my mission. I hope it will inspire other people to open their hearts and homes to fostering rescue animals.

    For the rescue I help by editing promotional materials and grant applications and whatever else they throw at me. Recently I helped create a program called K9&Kids. We take rescue alumni and adoptable dogs to libraries, girl scouts, etc and teach kids how to safely interact with dogs and shine a light on rescue.

    If I could be any animal, I think I'd be a cat. They're so self-sufficient and they can sleep in nearly any position/space/place. Plus, they're unequivocal about their feelings - purring when happy and taking action when not. They put up with very little.

    I'm excited to connect with this community and grateful for all the work you do to open hearts and save lives.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 162.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-25-2018 02:34 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Cara! Congratulations on your new memoir, the book tour coinciding with adoption events sounds like such a great way to connect & inspire people to foster rescue animals.

    Looking forward to learning more about you and your work! Please be sure to keep us updated on your book tour and the wonderful people & shelters you visit along the way.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 163.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-24-2018 07:16 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Tracy Arvidson, Animal Welfare Investigator at Sand Springs Animal Welfare.  Freelance photographer in my spare time


    #PeopleManagement


  • 164.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-24-2018 11:24 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Kristina Madere! I just joined this forum and I am the office/adoptions manager at South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights, IL! I just returned from maternity leave and I am thrilled to be back!! If I could be any animal, I think I would want to be a cheetah! I was an avid runner throughout middle school/high school and part of college until an injury side-lined me.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 165.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-25-2018 02:42 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Kristina!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 166.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-25-2018 07:20 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    HI I'm Michelle Boswell, founding member of the Friends of the Pasadena Animal Shelter.  I'm a volunteer in the Pasadena Animal Shelter.  I work an outside full time job outside the shelter, not related to rescue at all. But I spend just as much time volunteering for the shelter.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 167.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-25-2018 07:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm originally from California and after moving around for work have retired and now live on Camano Island in Washington State.  I a a volunteer for the Community Cat Coalition - we are an organization with the mission of improving the lives of community cats through spay/neuter and training and mentoring in Trap-Neuter-Return.  Our goal is to get the entire community involved in caring for the community cats.  I would love to live the life of a very spoiled indoor only cat.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 168.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-26-2018 05:41 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! My name is Karen. I'm from the volunteer run Quincy Animal Shelter in Quincy, MA. I'm the medical manager. My team of "meds" people are in charge of giving the meds as instructed by the veterinarians that assist us. I make sure all cats and dogs in our care have the things they need to be available for adoption. I also monitor the stress and health of animals in our building along with those in foster. There's lots more I do at QAS and I'm also a hairstylist! I have adopted a high energy Bengal that came to QAS in 2013 and am currently trying to introduce another Bengal that came to us this winter. I am definitely a cat 😸  


     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 169.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-26-2018 06:41 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi:  I am Pat Rock and I live in Oshkosh WI.  I am employed at the Oshkosh Area Humane Society as the Cat Adoption Manager and Business Administrator.   I have been in the Animal Welfare for more than 20 years.  Started as a volunteer and stayed.  I would love to be a cat, so I could do whatever I wanted everyday....lol.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 170.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-26-2018 11:46 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!  I am the Director of the Humane Society of Polk, County, Inc., located in Crookston, MN.  We are a no-kill shelter, providing rescue for strays, abandoned, and sometimes surrendered animals.  My position as the Director involves paperwork for the animals, as well as some of the financial work.  I first became involved simply by checking to see if the Pitbull which had gone through my backyard was found.  She was the dog, but it took several weeks before I was brave enough (with all of the misconceptions) to walk her.  That was the beginning of volunteering which has evolved into my present position.  As with others, I too hold a full-time job elsewhere (working with people) but love both.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 171.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-27-2018 09:21 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello All!  My name is Michael Broe.  I live in Connecticut, but I'm a Board Member with BarkTown Dog Rescue & Sanctuary based in Jasper GA.  We are an all volunteer foster based rescue.  Our mission is “We are dedicated to rescuing all breeds of dogs from those most in need, to those readily adoptable, from any shelter situation where their life may be in danger.  We are committed to finding each of these dogs a loving and caring family to be their forever homes.”  Now, I'm sure your next question is why work with a rescue in GA, while living in CT.  My wife and I have partnered with the wonderful BarkTown Team to open a new division in the Northeast.  We started in April, with our first transport to CT. was two weeks ago! 

    If I were to be an animal it would be a dog, specifically a GSD.  They are loyal, driven to complete the job, athletic and a partner with the U.S. Army (my service branch). 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 172.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-12-2018 08:41 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Bravo Michael!  So inspiring what you and your wife are doing!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 173.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-28-2018 11:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I'm Kat, from South Bend, IN.  I work with PetsConnect!, a local rescue.  I foster cats and kitties and while I am working on my Masters' degree in Sociology right now, I have a passion for Shelter Medicine and it's starting to seem somewhat inevitable I'll end up going to school even more to educate myself further! 

    If I could be any animal, I would be a unicorn.  I'm a bit obsessed.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 174.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-28-2018 02:05 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Ann Lindholm and I'm currently the Maddie's Dog Foster Program Advisor. Mostly that means that I am doing the Dog Foster Apprenticeships in Austin, Texas as well as providing consultation to dog foster programs across the country. http://www.maddiesfund.org/apprenticeship-program.htm#fostering It's my dream job as I get to work with wonderful animal advocates such as all of you! I started with Austin Pets Alive! in the summer of 2008 and out of sheer necessity grew the dog foster program into an all volunteer team that fluctuated between about 35-40 people and supports hundreds of fosters. The strength of our foster program was a key factor in Austin becoming a no kill community within just a few years. I share my home with my foster "win", a tripod Miniature Pinscher who has taught this "big dog" girl so much about living with a little "shark".


    #PeopleManagement


  • 175.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-12-2018 08:38 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Ann! So....which animal would you be?  One who is smart and kind - just like you!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 176.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-14-2018 07:04 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you Alison 🖤 Ah so many wonderful options but I guess I would have to say a dog. A greyhound, so that I would be tall and could run fast and still enjoy my couch potato time with my human. But if I were really smart I would be a cat!


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 177.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-16-2018 10:01 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    LOL maybe in an alternate universe you can be both!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 178.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-31-2018 10:33 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I'm Bonnie and I currently live in Missouri.  I am the Feline Care Manager at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, MO, and I have a certificate in Feline Training and Behavior.  If I could be any animal, I would want to be a cat because they have such great personalities, get to do what they want and rule the roost.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 179.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-31-2018 12:15 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm originally from the Detroit, MI area. My "rescue career" started by volunteering at a horse rescue in Howell, MI when I was in high school. I didn't volunteer during college, although I did adopt my first cat from the Michigan Humane Society the summer after my sophomore year. After college we moved to Wisconsin, where I started volunteering at my local humane society, the Humane Society of Jefferson County, and helped found a horse rescue organization. After a year of volunteering at the shelter, I was hired as a full time employee. It's now 12 years later and I'm still working as a cat caregiver. I also take care of pretty much everything involving computers -- tech support, website administration, social media, photo editing, graphic design, etc. I'm also a cat (and sometimes rodent) foster home for both my shelter and a local cat rescue. Mostly I take in special needs, hospice, or under socialized cats. I used to do bottle babies and kittens, but I found that there were more people willing to step up for the youngsters, so I focused my efforts on the adults and seniors. 

    If I could be any animal, it'd be a Thestral. If we're talking real animals I'd probably go for a raven. While I love cats, I feel like my life and well being would depend too much on chance and the kindness of humans -- too much of a gamble for me.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 180.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-01-2018 07:02 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    HI all.  I'm Katie Campbell, Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator, with RedRover.  I've enjoyed living on both coasts (grew up in NC and spent 12 years in Sacramento, CA) and am currently living just outside of New York City.  We've certainly got some fun stories from our cross country trip with 4 dogs and 3 cats!  I've been with RedRover for about 2 1/2 years now and feel so fortunate to have a job that allows me to help both animals and people.  

    My calling is definitely to be outdoors...anything from ultimate frisbee, hiking, trail running with our dogs.  If I could be any animal, as cliche as it sounds, I think I'd want to be a dog.  Their endless happiness and willingness to take on the new day with a positive attitude is infectious and something I strive for. 

    I'm ecstatic to be a part of such a great group of people and thankful to Maddie's Fund for putting this forum together!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 181.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-04-2018 02:43 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Everyone!

    I'm Lauren. Our shelter, HSSV - Humane Society Silicon Valley, is located specifically in Milpitas, Ca. I am the adoption programs manger and oversee adoptions at our main shelter and our 2 neighborhood adoption centers located in Petco stores. I have 2 spirit animals - the camel and the stingray. As for human spirit animals, I also have 2 - Michael Scott and Leslie Knope. I am passionate about animals and people. I'm looking forward to seeing this forum grow as there are so many groups out there doing really innovative and exciting work.

    Lauren


    #PeopleManagement


  • 182.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-11-2018 08:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I love both your spirit animals and your human spirit animals.  🙌 "Yeah, I have flaws. What are they? I sing in the shower. Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering." - Michael Gary Scott


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 183.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-04-2018 03:40 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Mary, I am from the Bronx, NY and am a volunteer with Posh Pets Rescue.  I foster the little specially abled dogs.  I am also the Executive Assistant at HaysVentures LLC based in NYC.  Little Miss Lexi is a front wheeler and we are a Pet Therapy team with the Good Dog Foundation.  We visit the VA Hospital in Manhattan.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 184.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-04-2018 11:01 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, My name is Louise Basgall. I am a devoted animal rescuer. I volunteer with a dog rescue group as foster home and I help to do fundraising and as much as I can to support my rescue. I am a supporter of those innocents that have no voice. If I could be any animal, I would love to be a horse. They are amazing majestic creatures, although I think I do have the soul of a dog.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 185.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-04-2018 11:06 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Sorry, I ended my introduction too soon. I am from a suburb of Chicago and the rescue I volunteer with is Fetching Tails Foundation. They are awesome, dedicated people who do rescue the right way. They work in collaboration with a community support group called CRISP which focus' on helping to keep dogs from entering Chicago Animal Care and Control. They do this by working with families who come in to surrender their dogs. They will aid them by giving food, behavior and care advise. Assist with finding homes and apartments that are pet friendly and if needed they work together to find foster homes for those that still need to surrender their dogs. It's a wonderful program.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 186.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-05-2018 10:54 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi all!  I'm Lisa from Gainesville, Florida....  home of the University of Florida and the Gators football team.  I volunteer for Plenty of Pit Bulls.  We rescue and rehabilitate dogs who are at risk in overcrowded shelters and place them in permanent homes.  We also advocate for Pit Bulls through educational and outreach programs.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 187.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-09-2018 07:58 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi there, is this Lisa? I think you are scheduled to attend the July class of our Maddie's Dog Foster Apprenticeship in Austin? I look forward to learning more about your rescue organization and the work you do! BTW, I'm a Wisconsin Badger myself but have many Gator friends!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 188.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-05-2018 06:38 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Looks like intros are still rolling!

    Hi! I’m Sara and I’ve worked for Tony La Russa’s ARF in the SF East Bay Area since ‘12. 

    My role here is community programs director and it’s quite honestly my dream job. I worked in/managed shelters for 11 years but my focus now is on human-animal bond programs (therapy animal team, shelter to service dogs for veterans, etc), humane ed, intake diversion/pet retention, owner support, and collaborations. I plan a regional animal conference every spring for local groups/shelters. My other life calling is musical theatre...but these shelter acoustics leave a lot to be desired! 

    If I could be any animal, I would be a very pampered house cat with a devoted instagram following. 


     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 189.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-08-2018 07:40 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone,  My name is Lisa and I am the foster care coordinator at the Rhode Island SPCA.  I have been with the RISPCA for eleven years now and have fostered two hundred and six dogs/pregnant and birthing dogs, orphan puppies and cruelty cases.  I have adopted five dogs who all have medical/health problems and all are on daily medication.  I have two who have seizures, one who has double aortic stenosis who wasn't suppose to live past the age of 8 months but is now two years old and going strong, and finally Mary who came into the shelter with puppy strangles who I cared for for seven months and then adopted.  I believe in quality of life. I am also a Reiki master and provide healing and stress reduction to our shelter dogs.  If I could be any animal I would be a Chihuahua because they are little and mighty.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 190.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-09-2018 07:53 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Lisa, I believe that you are scheduled to attend our Maddie's Dog Foster Apprenticeship in Austin this month? I look forward to meeting you and hearing more about all these wonderful dogs you have saved!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 191.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-09-2018 04:13 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you I am looking forward to meeting all of you. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 192.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-09-2018 07:11 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello! 

    I am the Behavior Department Manager for the Humane Society of Pinellas in Florida. I manage programs including offsite training outings, behavior foster engagements, dog training, cat training, and a public consultation, training class, and helpline service.

    If I could be any animal, I would have to pick the dolphin! <3 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 193.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-11-2018 10:19 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Kim Melanson I am a certified canine behavior counselor and trainer. I live in Natick MA with my 2 dogs, 8 year old SF ACD mix and a 15 week old NM Corgi/American Eskimo mix, my husband and 12 year old son. I currently teach training classes, puppy, basic, tricks, advanced CGC, agility for fun and do private consults for a fatality in Natick and Cambridge. I also do my own home consults and volunteer and consult for a shelter, Bay Path Humane Society in Hopkington MA. I also do some consulting work for Maddie's Fund, Tufts and Mass Animal Coalition. I worked at the Animal Rescue League in Boston for 11 years as a Behavior Counselor, preforming, evaluations, behavior plans, training dogs and volunteers. If I had to be an animal ai would be an elephant tin a protected park. They seem to live very enriching lives and their structure is female and in depth! ;-) 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 194.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-21-2018 01:00 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Kim!!

    Nice to 'see' you again! I'm sure we'll bump into each other again in real life, though I'm over in New York state now.

    -Amy D


    #PeopleManagement


  • 195.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-15-2018 06:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Debi, I'm originally form Wilmington Delaware, but reside in Picayune Mississippi, I work at prcspca a small county open admission shelter. I've worked with shelter for about 20 years now, I'm currently the cattery manager, my life calling has always been with animals. this is my second shelter to have worked at. this is my only choice I would ever have.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 196.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-16-2018 06:53 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey I know where Picayune is!   


    #PeopleManagement


  • 197.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-16-2018 06:50 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi.  My name is Cindy Shotwell. I’m the founder & Exec Director of a foster based rescue called Must Luv Dogs.  I live just a few miles north of Baton Rouge Louisiana.  I’m a retired legal professional and long time volunteer & and animal advocate.  Still Married to my high school sweetheart. Mother of 3 grown sons. Military mom (my youngest son is USAF pilot).  Have 2 grandsons.  Mom to 5 pups (2 rescues & 2 foster failures).  2 Rescue cats. I’m an artist & poet (when I have time).  Lifelong learner (currently learning guitar & 2nd language).  I travel a lot to visit 2 of my sons. One in Chicago & one in the military.  As to my calling,  I live in a part of the country where there is zero animal control. No animal ordinances or animal control officers.   My team & I routinely rescue dogs off the street and rural highways where they’ve been dumped & discarded.  I knew rescue was my calling a very long time ago l but never dreamed I’d be doing it full time at 54 & for free!  Lol.   I see many of you are professionals in this area.  I need guidance in a lot of areas, but will try my best to keep my questions to a minimum lol.   My husband says he wants to come back in his next life as one of my pups so I guess that’s what I’d choose!   

    PS. I need suggestions on where I can get training to do behavioral training!  


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 198.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-17-2018 09:44 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am the director small foster based rescue, West Jersey Volunteers for Animals, in South Jersey, outside of Phildelphia.  We have been together for almost 20 yr. starting out volunteering at a  private shelter that had contracts with about 15 towns.  We got our 501c3 in 2000 officially. And we were able to support the medical needs for the dogs and cats The Euthanasia rate was terrible in the beginning and adoptions were to just about anyone. We were able to change policies and helped the dogs find better homes, that matched their needs.  Euth rate went down.  We also started enrichment and walking programs and doing events. We all learned so much about the shelter system, especially the negative.  We were all hands on from scooping poop to cleaning kennels, to sitting with animals when they were Euth.  The shelter closed in 2006, and we got 98% of the dogs and cats adopted before hand, and took a few with us, and went out on our own.  It was an experience I will never forget, and will treasure, even though it was so stressful and emotional.   We learned so much and were so lucky that the owner of the shelter loved us and our help.

    What animal would I be?  Dog, Horse, Swan, Robin, Dolphin?  Really hard to say, I want to say an animal that is safe or respected, and not hunted.  Very hard question to answer depending on where the animal lives.  I guess that is a weird answer.  Sorry. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 199.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-21-2018 01:11 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Kim!!

    Nice to 'see' you again! I'm sure we'll bump into each other again in real life, though I'm over in New York state now.

    -Amy D


    #PeopleManagement


  • 200.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-22-2018 04:05 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey there! My name is Matt, and I most recently completed an amazing Executive Leader Fellowship at Charleston Animal Society. The fellowship was provided by Maddie's Fund, and I had the incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in animal welfare in the no kill community of Charleston (the city and the County of Charleston), South Carolina.

    One of my core values is building meaningful relationships; everything is propelled forward by them. And one of my core specialties is organizational development. 

    I am a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator, and have been a leader in animal welfare since 2009. Please message me if you would like to get to know me or my skills better--I am currently searching for the next great role in animal welfare leadership!

    Thank you for everything YOU do every day to save more lives and make the world its safest, most compassionate self.

    Best,

    Matt Chan, CAWA


    #PeopleManagement


  • 201.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-25-2018 01:37 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi,

    I am a Registered Nurse, but I am currently taking time off to raise my two adopted kids. I volunteer with a local Border Collie Rescue as they Intake/Foster Coordinator. I am from Omaha, NE. If I could be any animal it would definitely be a Border Collie. They are loyal, smart, energetic and loving. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 202.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-25-2018 11:54 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm a freelance medical copyeditor and live in Albuquerque, NM. I volunteer for a local rescue, NMDOG (www.nmdog.org; www.facebook.com/NMDOGVillage/), that serves the chained, abused, and forgotten dogs of New Mexico. I'll have to get back to you on what animal I'd be. Probably a big cat of some kind—although I volunteer for a dog rescue, I'm basically a cat person. :-) 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 203.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-26-2018 05:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Lisa Pearce and while I'm originally from Southern California, after living in many states and raising my three children, I am happy to call Charleston, SC home now.  Having been in the non-profit world over the years, I am feeling blessed to be working with Charleston Animal Society as grants administrator.  Although animal welfare is new to me, I bring all I have to the table when lifesaving and cruelty prevention is in the mix! I truly believe that a more humane society begins with caring for our most vulnerable, no matter two legs or four.  

    If I could be any animal is a tough one to answer.  A bird of some sort.   To fly would be amazing, soaring freely and enjoying beautiful trees, scenery, and sunshine.  Can you tell that I spend most days indoors at a laptop? Ha Ha! 

    Happy to be a part of this generous and dedicated community. You all amaze me with your kind stewardship of animals.  

    .


    #PeopleManagement


  • 204.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-26-2018 06:05 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Kym Cyr.  I live on Martha's Vineyard in MA.  I work full time as a secretary for Special Ed in the school system.  I'm the founder, Director of a non profit, no kill, cage free animal rescue, Second Chance Animal Rescue since Dec 2005.  The rescue is based out of my home.  I lived in South Carolina for 15 yrs and saw the tremendous need for the animals.  When I moved back to the Northeast, I felt a tremendous urge to continue to help the South.  We pull from high kill shelters and are working with other agencies to help the animals.  We do the cats, kittens, pups and dogs.  We have everything spayed and vaccinated before transport.  We are a small group but we are devoted to finding the best family for each of our animals.  We've met many people due to social media and have become friends even thou we've never met.  To know other people have the same heart is incredible.


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 205.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-30-2018 10:17 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi my name is Christy Bear from Rebel Rescue in Victoria, TX. I am the President of Rebel Rescue and we are all volunteer. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 206.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-14-2018 05:44 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi all!  I'm Heather Carr living in Naples, FL.  I've been a volunteer photographer for several years with my local organizations and started fostering kittens a year ago with our county shelter.  I couldn't love it more!  I'm always looking to expand my knowledge in all areas of fostering, promotion and shelter photography!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 207.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-24-2018 10:33 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Nancy and I'm the manager of the Menominee Animal Shelter.  We only handle dogs and cats and are located in the very bottom of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan right on the Wisconsin boarder.  We take animals from both Menominee, Michigan and Marinette, Wisconsin.  We average about 1,300 animal a year.  

    I have been employed here for 15 years and the manager for 13.  I always wanted to be a vet, but couldn't afford to go to collage for that.  But now I know why.  I wasn't meant to be a vet, I was meant to be right here where I am.

    If I were to be an animal, I think it would be a Vulture.  Sounds weird, i know.  But really, they are beautifully created birds.  And not too many people hunt them.  LOL 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 208.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-27-2018 09:58 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I  volunteer at local shelter, Durham, NC.   I have only been active there for about 1 year.   I am a member of the "Cat leadership Team."  My personal specialty is providing music played on CD in the cat rooms when I am there.  I introduced it.  I  also am also trying to initiate a "cat retention" program and am seeking any advice how to proceed.  What best practices, etc?  Communicating with cats is my specialty.  This is done in a way that socializes them almost immediately.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 209.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-01-2018 08:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm Julie Madden, from Alabama.  My husband and I co-founded Encore Enrichment Center for Shelter Dogs (Anniston, Alabama).  We pull 4-6 dogs each day from local shelters and bring them to our Center.  We work with the same dogs for 2 weeks so we have time to fix basic behavior issues like leash pulling and jumping.  We also work with shy dogs - some of those come back a number of times.  We also do nose work (I'm a certified NW instructor), socialization, baths. and pictures to share on social media.  We thought we were going to have a quiet retirement but after volunteering at local shelters for several months, we were moved to try to do something more for the dogs.  Shelters in rural north/central AL don't have much in the way of time or space for enrichment!  If I could be any animal I guess I would be a dog - so I would finally know what they were thinking.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 210.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-07-2018 12:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello Everyone, my name is Kathy McCloskey and I'm from Peoria Arizona but grew up in a tiny town in the Northern part of New Jersey. I currently volunteer and foster for an amazing local rescue by the name of Fearless Kitty and I am working on building my own rescue. We have the land and now we need to start building! It will be one heck of a ride I'm sure but I look forward to it as this work we do is my passion and my inner peace. I hope to be able to turn to the forums here when I need advise, info, or just a nudge in the right direction!

    Any animal, huh? That's a tough one because I always wished I had the grace and agility of the cat but the beauty, strength, and swiftness of the horse would be amazing too. Let's split it down the middle and spend 6 months a year as a cat and six months as a horse!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 211.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-10-2018 08:18 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! My name is Debbie Clark and I am the Grant Administrator for Bridge to Home Animal Rescue.  We are a foster based dog rescue in Eighty Four PA.  If I could be any animal, I would like to be a golden retriever.  I adore goldens, as well as Labs.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 212.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-19-2018 07:30 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am from Chicago, Illinois!  My name is Jo Dee Sharps Walsh but in the animal and children's world, I prefer "jojo."

    A friend of mine looped me in to do some volunteer development work for AnimalVILLAGENM which is a large, NO KILL, rescue & adoptions center.  So now I'm hooked!  My self-given title is " Volunteer Development Coordinator."

    If I could be any animal I think I might choose a well - loved cat.

     

    Thanks all!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 213.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-14-2018 11:25 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello I am new to this room my name is Monical I'm living in Midlothian, Tx Im am a CNA loving working the elderly I just adopt my second dog/ fur baby from forth amimal shelter and I m loving them l. Me adopting them is saving my life my girls are grown so it's just me now I have them to keep me movitated and in good spirits everyday 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 214.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-19-2018 11:11 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    HI everyone.  My name is Candyce.  I am originally from Seattle, Washington.  I have been in the Orlando, Florida area for roughly ten years.  During this time I realized what I truly am passionate about, and that is animal welfare.  I worked at Disney the first 7 years I was here, doing everything on the spectrum of ESPN Wide World of Sports and runDisney, so I have a great background in Customer Care and Event management.  I was lucky enough to land a job at Pet Alliance a little over 3 years ago, and I have been on cloud 9 ever since.  I have had a few different roles at Pet Alliance, but my current title is Customer Care.  That being said I do several things at Pet Alliance including playgroups, transport trips, community outreach, employee appreciation committee, safety committee, and training committee.

    If you could sum up my life it would be Family (including my dogs), beach, beers, playing games, and football.  I spend almost every Sunday during the season watching football as I am an avid Fantasy football player and just love the sport.  I do appreciate all sports, but football is my favorite.  I love going to the beach with my dogs, and trying different different beers at breweries.  Speaking of, I have three dogs.  Schooner is my labradane male, Tripel is my lab hound mix from a transport trip I went on to Miami to get dogs from Puerto Rico, and Hops is the white mix of who knows what from a different transport trip I went on to get dogs coming from St. Thomas.

    If I could be any animal in the world I would be a wolf.  I LOVE dogs, but I think it would be neat to be a wolf and be part of a pack and run wild in the wilderness.  Their free spirits and the pack mentality are appealing to me.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 215.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-19-2018 04:58 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey y'all!I'm Amy Owen, from Marshall, TX. I am the Vice President of our non profit, Friends of Marshall Animals. Currently, I am also taking over the foster program, help plan all events, fundraising and anything else that needs done. I teach 3rd grade, and if I was an animals, I would either be a dog or a dolphin.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 216.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-27-2018 02:11 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I'm Walt from Miami. I like small animals very much and I am a volunteer.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 217.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-27-2018 02:25 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Walt! Welcome to the forum! 👋🏼 Where do you volunteer at?


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 218.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-07-2018 02:02 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Good Afternoon! My name is Lisa, I am an Administrative Assistant at Pitt County Animal Services in Greenville, NC. If I could be any animal I would be a Sea Turtle, because I love the beach and the ocean.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 219.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-12-2019 01:48 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello!

    My name is Shanna and I am the Foster, Spay & Neuter Coordinater with the Friends of Madera Animal Shelter in Madera Ca. All 3 positions are fairly new but I have high hopes to implement a new and improved foster program to our small community and shelter with the help of this wonderful program. 

    As to what animal I would like to be I guess it would have to be either a bird or a sea turtle.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 220.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-04-2019 01:38 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!  I am Amanda Rice with Asheville Humane Society in Asheville, NC.   I am the Relocation Coordinator.  Outside of work I have 3 human kiddos, 3 fur kiddos and one reptile.

    If I could be any animal I think I would be a Panda Bear.  🐼

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 221.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-10-2019 09:57 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!  My name is Sandi Petee and I am the Outreach Coordinator at the Humane Society of Hobart in Hobart, Indiana.  My position is a catch-all position: Volunteers, Social Media, Events, Fostering, Fundraising and whatever else comes up!  I have been involved in animal welfare as both an employee and volunteer for over 25 years. I have two human teenagers, 3 dogs (Shepherd mix, Schnauzer mix and black pug), two cats and a revolving door of foster cats and kittens.  Animal Welfare is my passion as well as my job and has been my whole life.  If I could be any animal I think I would be a whale or a dolphin because I am a scuba diver and love the water!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 222.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-17-2019 08:21 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, my name is Sarah and I am originally from California, but currently live just southeast of Omaha, Ne. I am the volunteer coordinator for Town and Country Humane Society, but I really enjoy hanging out with the animals.  I always say my own dog Dixie is my "spirit animal" as she has the same personality as me but in dog form!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 223.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-19-2019 05:14 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I’m Colleen with the nonprofit Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS), and a dog volunteer at Oakland Animal Services (OAS). I socialize hard to place dogs, train volunteers, fundraise, and help at our free spay/neuter clinics in Oakland, CA. My life’s calling is saving the underdogs and spay/neuter. If I could be an animal I’d be an otter and play play play all day.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 224.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-14-2019 10:45 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    • Where are you from? Paws Humane Society - Columbus, GA 
    • What do you do? Manager of Volunteer Services 
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? I would be one of MY dogs b/c they have the BEST life and are loved and spoiled beyond belief!


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)



  • 225.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-15-2019 11:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Anitra, your pups are adorable!! 💕

    Welcome to the forum!


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 226.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-16-2019 05:53 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you, Kim! I agree! 🤗

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 227.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-24-2019 10:00 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi my name is Lyndsey!

    • Where are you from? SPCA of Tompkins County (Ithaca, NY) 
    • What do you do? A little bit of everything - Primarily veterinary assistant, but also sometimes adoption counselor and on-call emergency animal control. I would like to improve our dog foster program as right now it is geared towards puppies and not adult dogs... So possibly Dog Foster Coordinator in the future! 
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? I would like to say dog, but honestly probably a free fed house cat. That way I could sleep, play, eat, etc. whenever I wanted!

    #PeopleManagement


  • 228.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 10:17 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum! I hope the resources already shared in the forum help you on your path to improve your dog foster program. Search "foster care", "foster", "foster manual" to find previous discussions and resources. Good luck!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 229.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-26-2019 07:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    • Denise Liske - Willseyville, Tioga County, NY
    • Candor/Berkshire/Richford/Newark Valley Dog Control Officer
    • Nichols Deputy Dog Control Officer
    • AngelEyes Animal Rescue & Wildlife Rehabililation Administrator
    • NYSDEC Wildlife Rehabilitator
    • Tioga County Animal Response Team (TCART) Coordinator
    • Wolf - Excellent Intelligent & Amazing Intuition / Instinctual Need For Freedom Yet Dedicated To Their Pack  

    #PeopleManagement


  • 230.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 10:19 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Denise!  Wow, you've got a lot of experience. Love that you worked with both domestic animals and wildlife. Thanks for all you do!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 231.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-26-2019 03:49 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Everyone!

    My name is Amanda!

    • Where are you from? Walnut Creek, California - Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) with the Pets and Vets Program
    • What do you do? Pets and Vets Program Coordinator. I do a little bit of everything, intake dogs specifically for the program, work with fosters, help with the adoptions and a lot of random little things.
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would to be a bird so I would no longer have to deal with traffic :)

    #PeopleManagement


  • 232.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 10:21 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Amanda! I'm laughing right now after reading your animal choice. I lived in the SF Bay area for 15 years so I completely understand the desire to be anything that keeps you out of traffic! 😃

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 233.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 05:17 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Tiffani Hill from Glynn County Animal Control in Brunswick, GA aka "The Golden Isles". I'm the manager - in 30 years in animal welfare, this is my first municipal and my first animal control shelter. Native southern Californian who married a southern veterinarian :) Trying to figure out how to bring SE GA out of the dark ages from a responsible pet ownership perspective. I'm also the Bunny Lady - started the first rabbit rescue between Atlanta and Gainesville, FL (an 8-hour gap). Would I want to be a bunny? Only if I could be a house rabbit :) 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 234.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 10:26 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Tiffani! Thank you for looking out for the bunnies!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 235.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 08:57 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    From Long Island, NY originally, but now at Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission in Milwaukee, WI.

    I am the Executive Director and Humane Officer.

    I would be an Orca. I love wearing black, love the ocean, love to hang with my family and I am totally a type A(for Apex) personality!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 236.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 03-27-2019 10:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, KSpar! Orcas rock...and your reasons for wanting to be one are spot on! LOL


    #PeopleManagement


  • 237.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-04-2019 10:45 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I’m Amanda, I’m 25, and I’m from Scranton, Pennsylvania. I’m a stay at home cat mom to Pumpkin (4 years in June) and Freddie (8 weeks 4 days - I just adopted him). My family also has a sweet Yellow Lab, Jack (just turned 12 years old).

    I graduated from Penn State in December 2016, and I really wanted to go to grad school to become a research librarian. Unfortunately, life had other plans; I’m unable to work or go back to school due to chronic illness. My pets give my life so much meaning, and I’m happy to be a cat mom. 

    I used to want to be a hummingbird, owning the freedom of sprite-like flight and sucking sweet nectar from beautiful flowers. Now, I know I would love to be a cat. Cats are beautiful little aliens. They don’t always trust easily, but when they do you get an amazing companion. They are so graceful, even when they’re not, and their speed and stealth is amazing. They also sleep most of the day, and I wish for their peaceful slumber. So, definitely cat, or Flerken for any Captain Marvel fans out there. 😁


    #PeopleManagement


  • 238.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-05-2019 10:41 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Amanda! I'm sorry to hear about your illness but glad that you have Pumpkin, Freddie and Jack to surround you with love. Congrats on your new addition, Freddie! 

    Thank you for teaching me what a flerken is. I googled it and now I understand why you said cats are beautiful little aliens. So cool that a flerken looks like an ordinary cat to us but are SO MUCH MORE! I think I need to see Captain Marvel now. ;) 

    https://www.thewrap.com/captain-marvel-what-the-hell-actually-is-a-flerken/


    #PeopleManagement


  • 239.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-10-2019 08:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello!

    My name is Madeline and I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! I am the Pet Helpline Coordinator at Humane Animal Rescue. This is a brand new position at our organization and I am really excited to hit the ground running. I was previously an admissions counselor.

    If I could be any animal I would be a Bernese Mountain Dog like my own personal dog, Daphne. She is majestic and loving in every way. If I could be just like her I would be a pretty happy camper!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 240.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-10-2019 11:45 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Awww, I love those Berners, too.  Welcome to the forum, Madeline! 

    I love that your organization has dedicated resources to a Pet Helpline Coordinator. Keeping pets in homes and out of the shelter/rescue in the first place is a game-changer! All the best to you in your new position! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 241.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-12-2019 12:36 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    If you need staff training for pet retention, Maddie's University has a free online apprenticeship. It's five classes long, but the first class also works well as a standalone. It's called Shelter Staff as Crisis Counselors. Students can listen to audio samples of conversations between shelter staff and owners. It helps staff respond in a non-judgmental way to owners who are considering surrendering their pets and offer owners hope. The apprenticeship also has a strong behavioral component, for talking with owners about how to deal with specific behaviors. You can find it in the Maddie's Apprenticeship section of https://www.maddiesuniversity.org/ 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 242.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-13-2019 10:50 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    This is amazing! Thank you for bringing it to my attention. We will also be working to get volunteers to help us out so all information is super helpful!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 243.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-11-2019 06:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Happy Thursday!

    My  name is Sandra, I live and work in Oklahoma City with the Oklahoma Humane Society (formerly Central, we are rebranding). But I don't live at work, although it would be super easy to do. I'm the Director of Clinical Operations, therefore, if it's a medical program within OK Humane, it's my responsibility.

    If I could be any animal, I would be any one of my dogs (a Boston, Cattledog, and a mixed breed). They are well loved and I think that's what everyone wants in life anyway.

    Thank you Maddie's for providing this platform and so many forums. I can't wait to dive in!

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 244.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-12-2019 11:10 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks so much for joining the forum, Sandra! We can't wait for you to dive in either! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 245.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-11-2019 07:36 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!

    My name is Krista

    From Arlington, VA

    Foster for the "Kitten College" at Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA)

    I would definitely want to be a 🐈 cat!  Plus my sign is ♌ Leo!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 246.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-12-2019 11:12 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Krista! And thank you for being a foster to the itty bitty kitties!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 247.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-18-2019 01:07 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! I'm Raya Greenbaum with Best Friends Animal Society. I'm originally from around Wichita, Kansas, but roam happily nowadays and work as the network digital resource specialist for Best Friends. I've always loved communicating and connecting with others, and find my job of sharing lifesaving resources with animal welfare advocates to be a dream. 

    As for what animal I would love to be... I have to say a Manta Ray. They are pure magic to me, and words fail to describe the bliss of being near them. 

    Excited to meet and collaborate with even more compassionate people here! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 248.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-23-2019 09:46 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Raya! So happy to have you here. Thanks for the support you provide to animal welfare advocates to increase lifesaving! 

    I think you're the first person to say Manta Ray -- you're right, they are pretty magical. Watching them glide through water is pretty mesmerizing!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 249.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-20-2019 12:28 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi

    I'm Rick, I'm at Orphans of the storm in illinois.

    I am the shelter manager

    If I could be an animal....hmm, does a teddy bear count? Big growly bear but totally cuddly and loving!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 250.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-23-2019 09:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Rick! Of course a teddy bear counts, especially if it's cuddly and loving!! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 251.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-24-2019 12:42 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    San Jose, CA

    I have 3 dogs, a bunny & a horse 

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 252.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-25-2019 10:05 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, neighbor! You're in our neck of the woods (Maddie's Fund is in Pleasanton). Love that you have all sizes of furry friends in your family!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 253.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-24-2019 07:53 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi, I'm Alexis!

    • I'm originally from Howell NJ, but now I live and work in Pittsburgh PA at Humane Animal Rescue.
    • I'm the Foster Program Manager at HAR :) I also volunteer at a small animal rescue on the side - Mainely Rat Rescue.
    • I would be a Pangolin. They are just bad-??? real life Pokemon, and I'm here for that.

    #PeopleManagement


  • 254.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-25-2019 10:09 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Alexis! I had to look up a Pangolin. They're so cool!!! Like a cross between a sloth and a roly poly bug. Thanks for opening my eyes to the world of Pangolins. 

    P.S. Here's a really cool website about Pangolins: https://www.pangolins.org/2012/02/18/25-facts-about-pangolins/


    #PeopleManagement


  • 255.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-26-2019 07:46 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    That is a great website for facts about them! I really like their reference article at that bottom that refers to Pangolins as "sentient artichokes", haha.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 256.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-26-2019 12:24 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!! My name is Joy, but I am also known as Dadaw (sounds like Mamaw, but with a “D”). I live in Jacksonville, FL & I just adopted a young Brindle Pitt mix. His records stated he is 2years old, but the worker at JHS & I feel he is just a little over 1 year, by the way he acts. He’s very sweet & extremely smart, yet determined & somewhat stubborn. He has certainly won me over, like no other canine has been able to do, since the passing of my previous pet more than 5 years ago. He brings me a lot of joy!! ❤️


    #PeopleManagement


  • 257.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-29-2019 10:18 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Joy/Dadaw! Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new family member!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 258.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-26-2019 12:28 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone, my name is Patty and I'm a volunteer at DAWS (Danbury Animal Welfare Society) in Connecticut.  I'm a dog walker/socializer who's been loving my volunteer time with some amazing dogs and fellow volunteers for the past 6+ years now.  If I could be any animal I would be an elephant.  I fell in love with elephants when I was a child and my big bucket list item is to volunteer in Thailand at an elephant sanctuary, I just have to find the time to get there. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 259.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-29-2019 10:22 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Patty! I hope you get to check that off your bucket list. Sounds amazing!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 260.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-27-2019 07:37 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm Jessie, I'm a volunteer with Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan (RPSM). I started volunteering with them in 2012. RPSM has a prison dog training program where inmates train 14 dogs every 10 weeks. I do a lot of the stuff on the computer..listing dogs, postings on our Facebook page, process adoptions online, etc. If I were to be any animal, I'm not sure what I would want to be, so many choices.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 261.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-29-2019 10:23 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Jessie! Thanks for joining the forum and for all of your volunteer work with RPSM!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 262.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-27-2019 09:33 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi All,

    I'm Libby and I currently live in Encinitas, CA and have been here for 13yrs but I will always be a Chicago girl. Currently I am a KPA-CTP and the Behavioral & Training Specialist at Rancho Coastal Humane Society and do a little of everything from pulling dogs from other shelters, creating behavior and enrichment plans to adoption counseling and volunteer training. I have been at Rancho Coastal for almost 13 years. Internally we call ourselves the Disneyland of shelters since we are blessed with great property, volunteers and staff. 

    If I could be any animal I would be a Grizzly Bear because they are fierce, live in the woods, have no predators (other than man) and take loooong naps. Sounds like a good life. :) Thank you Maddie's Fund for being here for us!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 263.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-29-2019 10:25 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Libby! I love that you call your shelter the Disneyland of shelters -- sounds like a wonderful place to be! And ahh yes.... long grizzly bear naps do sound pretty good!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 264.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-28-2019 09:24 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Juli and I'm a shelter veterinarian in Chula Vista. I've worked for San Diego County Department of Animal Services, and now the City of Chula Vista since 2004. I'd be a pegasus.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 265.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-29-2019 10:28 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Juli! Thanks for all of the countless number of animals who you've helped over the years in San Diego and Chula Vista! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 266.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 04-30-2019 10:45 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! I am Debbie. I founded SRL Inc (All Breed Dog Rescue 20#'s and under) in Minneapolis KS 11 yrs ago.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 267.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-01-2019 08:46 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Debbie!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 268.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-03-2019 12:50 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! I’m Christie Rogero, Program Manager of The Jackson Galaxy Project at GreaterGood.org. My primary work at JGP is running the Cat Pawsitive program. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 269.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-06-2019 10:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Christie! 

    Love your current Cat Pawsitive National High Five Day Contest. Can't wait to see the winners. You've got so many good entries already. I just love it when kitties give high fives! 

    If anyone's interested in submitting their best high five kitty video, the contest is open until 5/16!  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 270.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-03-2019 06:06 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi I am Patty, I live in SE Wisconsin. I do not belong to a group, but have done TNR and have taken many kittens off the streets in my community with the help of a wonderful vet tech. I had two former indoor ferals, but had to say goodbye to one March 25th because of an illness. Two and a half weeks later a tame kitty shows up here skin and bones. I am in the process of trying to save her.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 271.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-06-2019 10:56 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Patty -- Welcome to the forum!  Thanks for taking care of the kittens in your community and being an advocate for them. I'm sorry for your recent loss, it's never easy. 😞 I think your new kitty showed up on the right doorstep. Best of luck to you in nursing her back to health!


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 272.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-05-2019 11:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, I'm Jennifer Angelucci, President and CEO of Paws Crossed Animal Rescue Inc. in Elmsford, NY (about an hour from the city)! Excited for the opportunity to be here! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 273.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-06-2019 11:10 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Jennifer! Glad to have you here!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 274.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-06-2019 12:14 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Im Kevin from Save One Soul Animal Rescue League out of Rhode Island.  Im their IT person, an adopter, foster, transporter and event volunteer.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 275.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-09-2019 12:52 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Kevin! Thanks for joining the forum. You're a jack of all trades! Thanks for everything you do for Save One Soul Animal Rescue League. 🙌

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 276.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-06-2019 01:00 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm Mary From Yakima humane Society in Yakima, WA. I am the Volunteer Programs Coordinator. 

    I would be a Hummingbird.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 277.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-09-2019 12:53 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Mary! Those hummingbirds are amazing creatures. Every time I read about them, I'm astounded at what those tiny little bodies can do!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 278.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-20-2019 06:57 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Volunteer programs coordinator. That’s awesome. We need one at our shelter. I would have to do it myself. Can you tell me more about your position?  What all you do and how you do it?  That would be so helpful. Thank you. Vicky in Kansas


    #PeopleManagement


  • 279.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-06-2019 02:52 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello my name is Michelle and i am the founder of Little Black Cat Rescue in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia.   I started my little foster group to help with the kittens, teens and cats left behind in the pound.  The blacks and tabbies are often left, with the pretty ones finding placement in other groups much easier.

    My little group also specilises in neo care, with 5 highly trained carers, which includes 3 vet nurses.

    We are self funded.  My group is also supported by my stockfeed and pet supply business (which is great for my foster carers to have support in the way of litter and food).  

     

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 280.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-09-2019 12:56 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Michelle. So nice to see a friend from Down Under! 

    Love that your group focuses on the left behind kitties! 😻

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 281.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-15-2019 01:22 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    My name is Tom Daley.  I'm originally from the Los Angeles area, but my family moved to Texas when I was 12.  Therefore, when I talk to anyone from California they think I'm from Texas and anyone I talk to from Texas thinks I'm from California.  I foster both dogs and cats for an organization in the Dallas area called Passport4Paws.  We rescue code-red animals from local shelters.

    I am the Lead Senior Technician for Network Security at T-Mobile.  I am currently on medical leave of absence from my job.  Fostering helps save their lives and they have helped save mine as well.  It's really sad to think of all the animals that lose their lives and I hope we can bring more attention to this issue and find more fosters and rescues as well as get the word out to the public about this disgraceful killing of wonderful companions that plague our communities.

    If I could be any animal I'd be...a human.  Being any other animal my life would mostly be eat, sleep, avoid predators, and walk around naked all the time.  Hmmm.  Maybe that wouldn't be so bad.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 282.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-16-2019 12:05 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Tom, your response to what kind of animal you'd be made me laugh. I'm pretty sure you're the only one who said human but your reasons are pretty legitimate. LOL! 

    Welcome to the forum and thank you for being a foster caregiver for dogs and cats. We think Foster is the Future so you're a superstar to us!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 283.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-23-2019 04:21 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, I'm Jennifer and I work full-time for a shelter and veterinary clinic in Massachusetts, kennel worker/adoption counselor and receptionist, started November 2018. Finally doing what I've wanted to do my whole life 😊 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 284.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-30-2019 01:43 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Jennifer! Glad to have you join us in the forum. So happy for you that you've landed in a position that speaks to your heart!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 285.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-23-2019 10:00 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, I'm Fantashia. I currently live in florence, south Carolina. Im from Boston, Mass. I sometimes volunteer at the MARION animal shelter when I have time. Currently I'm fostering 3 6week old kittens from the humane society in Florence. I currently have a 4 year old pomeranian named Queen Nefertiti and a 3 year old mini rex bunny named Anubis. 


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)



  • 286.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-30-2019 01:46 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Fantashiah! Your foster kittens, bunny and Pom are adorable! Thanks for sharing their pictures and thanks for fostering those little munchkins. Glad to have you in the forum!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 287.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-24-2019 11:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm from Cambridge, MA.  I'm a writer.  I'd be a Congo Potto (a breathing ball of fur in the daytime, but who can imagine what it does at night?).


    #PeopleManagement


  • 288.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-30-2019 01:52 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Zdenek!  Thank you for teaching me about an animal I didn't even know existed. I had to look up the African Potto -- very cool creatures. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 289.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-29-2019 10:35 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! I am from Oro Valley, AZ. I am still working full time, but I will retire at a soon-to-be time. I have two kitties right now, Nola is 9 and Mimi is 15. I have never formerly fostered, although I have given many animal companions a home. For some reason if you adore animals people think you can take care of theirs when they can't or no longer want to. When I lived on acreage it was like that! Now there's an imposed limit because I'm renting or it would still be a thing. I love animals and appreciate them so much!

    If I could be any animal... I might be a raven. The ravens I see glide through the air and stay in their pair or continue to fly alone if they have to. I've always thought of ravens as the "watchers", they notice anything unusual and let the other animals know. Where I am in Arizona the legend is ravens are the ancestors, the carry the spirits to watch over the land and keep it safe. It's funny in a way, because while other people are talking and always paying attention that I'm the one who points out the wildlife or the clouds...


    #PeopleManagement


  • 290.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 05-30-2019 01:42 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Kissamew and congrats on your looming retirement! I know exactly where Oro Valley is. I went to high school at CDO. Small world, right? 

    Those ravens are incredible beings. So intelligent. I see what you mean about them being watchers. Love that you're a watcher, too!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 291.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-28-2019 01:03 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am from Tucson Arizona. I am retired. I am a Pima Animal Care center volunteer.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 292.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-16-2019 03:39 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Shirlyn! Glad to have you here.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 293.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 06-28-2019 01:36 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am from Tucson Arizona and volunteer at Pima Animal Care Center. I am a retired physician. I am the caretaker of two rescue dogs whom I love dearly.

    If I could be any animal it would be an elephant. They are so intelligent, adaptable, extremely social and nurturing of their herd. I have has the privelege of doing some research on elephants in the wild and have observed them in the wild on safari. The youngsters are so playful and curious. It is heartbreaking what has been done to decimate the population of this extraordinary animal.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 294.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-16-2019 03:43 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Fabia and volunteering at PACC! 

    How fortunate you are to have been able to research elephants in the wild and observe them on safari. They're so darn lovable! And I'm with you -- completely heartbroken about what's happening to the elephant population. 💔

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 295.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-01-2019 09:58 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello.   I am from Springfield, Tennessee and work  at Beesley Animal Foundation (Beesley Animal Clinic) as Foundation Administrator.  We are a low cost spay/neuter clinic that also provides wellness services.  We do community outreach to help assist those underserved in our neighboring counties.

    I also rescue, rehab and rehome animals and  am anadvocate to help strengthen animal welfare laws.  

    As far as what animal i would be...i think it would be a wolf.  They are intelligent and resourceful and also are loyal to their pack and care for everyone in their pack including the aged and youngsters.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 296.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-16-2019 03:47 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Dawn! We're glad to have you here!

    Thank you for all you're doing to help the animals in your direct care and advocate on behalf of animals by working to strengthen animal welfare laws. You're a hero!

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 297.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-14-2019 12:06 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello!  I am from Rosenberg, Texas (west of Houston) and I am the Community Involvement Coordinator for Fort Bend County Animal Services).  We are an open admission municipal shelter that takes in about 4000 per year.  

    I manage the programs for adoption, rescue, foster, volunteer, transport, social media, print media, fundraising, community outreach and engagement and am the co-founder of 2 501c3 organizations for the shelter and sit on the board of a 3rd.  

    I would like to be one of my own dogs - totally spoiled, completely waited on hand and paw!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 298.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-16-2019 03:50 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thanks for joining the forum, Barbara. I'm not sure how you even found time to register -- your second paragraph says it all! Wow, you are a busy woman. Thank you for everything you do to help the animals in your community! 

    So sweet that you'd be one of your own dogs. Must mean they have it reeeaally good (as they should!)  😀


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 299.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-23-2019 08:27 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Everyone, I'm from Los Angeles CA, and I volunteer in the LA City Animal Shelter cat room, helping with adoptions and cat/kitten care. I've also fostered & socialized feral/semi-feral kittens to get them ready for adoption. I also am a Facebook admin for a site that tries to save cats and kittens in danger of euthanasia--either because their time is up at the shelter, or they're feral and getting taken to the shelter, or underage, etc through networking for Rescue placement. We raise pledges, network & look for fosters and adopters on the Facebook page (Southern California Cat & Kitten Rescue Network). I'm still working full time, but hope to soon have more time to spend doing more to help, and also to learn more about cat behavior. If I could be any animal I'd probably be a polydactly cat (ideally in a great home that gave me treats!) :)--because hey, I'd have thumbs!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 300.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-24-2019 10:17 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Lisa, your reason for being a polydactyl kitty made me laugh. 😆So true! 

    Welcome to the forum and thanks for everything you do for the kitties in Southern California!


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 301.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-24-2019 04:57 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello all. My name is Hannah, and I'm from Portland, OR. I work in Development for the Oregon Humane Society. My job title is Annual Giving Coordinator, and my primary task is creating and coordinating the four direct mail appeals that we send out every year. I also write acknowledgment letters, email appeals, postcards, and lots of other things. As far as I can tell, this is really my life's calling because I love my job.

    If I could be any animal, I would be a capybara because they are friends to all other animals!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 302.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-24-2019 05:21 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome, Hannah! I love OHS -- your team does such a fantastic job! I can see why you love your job. 

    About 13 or 14 years ago in my corporate career, before I started in the animal welfare field, I spent one day a week working in Portland. I was fortunate enough to get a private tour of your shelter. I remember being amazed at how quiet and clean it was. The staff, volunteers and animals all seemed happy. I think that experience made me realize how far shelters had come. It was the first time in my life that I enjoyed visiting animals in a shelter setting. In hindsight, I think my visit to OHS inspired me to make the career change five years later. I still receive OHS's emails and love your team's creativity.

    Thanks for all you do! Keep up the outstanding work!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 303.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-25-2019 09:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you so much for the kind words, Kim! We're very lucky to have a city that's passionate about animals, and we're well-resourced and have great leadership that is always looking to innovate. I'm so glad we had such a positive impression! Please come by and visit the next time you're in town.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 304.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-26-2019 07:14 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello.  I am from northern Michigan and currently live in Tucson, Arizona. I retired from a long career working with individuals  with disabilities. I volunteer at the Pima Animal Care Center with a primary focus on working with under socialized dogs in our “Decompression Program.”  I currently have two dogs that graduated from our decompression program.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 305.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-12-2019 10:48 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    A belated welcome to the forum, Quickig! I love that your focus is on undersocialized dogs. It's so rewarding to help these sweet dogs learn how to become comfortable in their world. Thank you for all you do! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 306.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-10-2019 06:32 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm from a small town on the coast of Georgia named Darien. Humaine Animal Resource Team (HART) mission here is low-cost spay-neuter assistance. We have a business buying & selling antiques, collectibles and historical memorabilia and donate to their thrift store and take care of a feral cat colony (30 cats). HART has been instrumental for capture and release of the colony. I'm hoping this forum will be a resource for ideas for proven techniques for making dogs & cats lives better in our community. Fundraising for access to food & medical care and the occasional hurricane threats are the most challenging needs.

    I'm an avid swimmer, so I'd like to be a wild bottlenose dolphin is some idyllic tropical location.

    The dog in my photo is Nanny. She's the most wonderful dog I've ever encountered. She is to me what Maddie was to Dave & Cheryl Duffield.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 307.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-12-2019 10:55 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, JSLittlefield! Thank you for being the lifeline for so many feral cats and supporting HART's efforts. Nanny is beautiful and obviously loved dearly by you. Maddie would be proud. 🖤

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 308.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-04-2019 08:21 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello, I live in Florida and am a caregiver to a loved one.  So right now I'm not working outside of the home.

    I love all animals, and nature.  I'm a big dog lover and will always have a special place in my heart for German Shepherds.  Right now we don't have any pets but that is because of our circumstances, not because we don't want one (or two.)  

    At one time, I was a volunteer at an animal shelter and loved the work I did there. I spent time with the dogs.  It was a no kill shelter so most of the dogs there were older dogs, many with health issues and they were the breeds that people don't want or aren't allowed to have where they live (Pitt Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, etc.)  I fell in love with all of them.

    I was a caregiver to a loved one once before and during that time did volunteer work for the Alzheimer's Association.  I did a lot of fundraising for them, and helped raise awareness in the community about all the different programs available for caregivers and their families.  I enjoyed the work, the creative process, the challenge and meeting so many people. 

    Today was the first time I've ever heard about Maddie's.  I'm looking forward to learning more about everything Maddie's does.

     


    #PeopleManagement


  • 309.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-09-2019 12:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Kate's Mom! So glad you found out about us and Maddie's Fund. Have fun exploring!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 310.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-12-2019 06:25 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi everyone, I'm Rachelle I'm currently an Animal care Specialist at the county shelter in Fort Lauderdale Florida. I Have strong love for animals even tarantulas which I own. My major goal over the next few years is to build a strong bond with our local rescues so we can become a large circle organization of releasing animals from the shelter environment, into homes and fosters as quickly as possible. When this becomes a success I plan on becoming a national trainer and speaker. Maddie's fund is assisting me by granting me the opportunity to make my first small step. If I could be any animal id be an eagle or a falcon either way still pretty FLY. 🦅

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 311.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-16-2019 10:15 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Rachelle. Glad to have you here. I love your goal and that you said "when" this becomes a success, not "if"! With that attitude, I see you doing great things! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 312.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-13-2019 08:59 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey all! My name is Mike, I am Executive Director of Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary in Seattle, WA. We are a newly established rescue (May, 2019) that have officially rescued 2 pups from TX. We are a team of three people with years of rescue experience between us, but we've barely gotten our feet wet with our own rescue. For fun, I'm a dog walker with my own business, which allows me to pay rent while hanging out with my 2 personal dos :) I have always wanted to be a red tailed hawk. Something about them is so majestic! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 313.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-16-2019 10:18 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Great to have you in the forum, Mike. Thanks for joining! 

    Congrats on establishing your new rescue. If you have questions or need help, our forum members are a great resource. Wishing you great success!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 314.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 10-21-2019 12:28 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I have just jointed the forum - and although I was born in FL & lived 29 years overseas I now reside in a very small, rural town in upstate South Carolina as a retiree. To make friends with like interests I began volunteering for a private rescue group when I moved here 10 years ago. Because this small but effective rescue can only serve its county & there is a dire need for TNR in surrounding counties with the same problem of stray cat overpopulation I founded Stray Cat Outreach.

     

    As a 3 woman show we TNR (556 since March 2018) & provide emergency medical for strays. We also pull young kittens for our adoption program & are foster based, non-profit, no-kill.

     

    Of course I'd be a cat if I could be any animal, what a silly question :) Why? Who wouldn't want 9 lives!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 315.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 10-25-2019 10:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum! Thank you for seeing the need in your community and creating Stray Cat Outreach to address it. Congratulations to your small but mighty team!

    Your answer to what animal would you be if you could be any animal is spot on! I can't believe no one else has mentioned the added benefit of having 8 additional lives. 😻

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 316.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-05-2019 06:59 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I just joined the forum, though I’ve been on ‘the app ‘ for a couple months. I volunteer at the Willamette Humane Society in Salem, Oregon. I started here a year ago, helping in the Spay and Neuter Clinic. Then someone asked if I could foster kittens!

     I’m fostering my second litter. I like the olde kittens, those already on solid food. I love helping these fluff-balls develop loving personalities well-suited to forever homes.

    If I could be any animal, I’d be a unicorn, but they don’t exist, so I’ll have to go for a sea lion, because who wouldn’t want a life of sunny rocks?


    #PeopleManagement


  • 317.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-06-2019 10:08 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Beth. Thank you for volunteering and fostering kittens and helping those little fluff balls get ready for their homes!

    I love sea lions but I don't know -- are you sure unicorns don't exist?  🤔🦄😉

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)



  • 318.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 11-25-2019 04:55 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey, guys! I'm  bit late to the forum... currently wrapping up a semester for a grad certificate and finals prep hasn't left me a lot of spare time.

    I'm Tracy, currently living in Palm Beach County, FL but working as a vet tech at Broward County Animal Care in sunny Fort Lauderdale! My calling has always been in the animal welfare industry. I started out in wildlife rehabilitation and transitioned to domestics about 10 years ago for financial reasons. Hustling to complete my current enrollment in UF's Veterinary Forensic Science certificate program so I can nudge my shelter towards starting our own animal cruelty task force (fingers crossed I can turn that dream into a reality with the next couple of years)! If you could be ANY animal... I'd love to be a wild mustang, I suppose. Living the good life surrounded by friends and trampling through open fields, mountains, valleys or wherever else I wanted on my own schedule. Yeah, that sounds nice.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 319.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-02-2020 10:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Sorry for the late welcome, Tracy, but please know we're really happy to have you here! Congrats on your grad certificate!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 320.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-09-2019 09:18 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Everyone! Alittle late but atleast i made it! Im Carmen and i am the Marketing Coordinator for Fearless Kitty Rescue in Fountain Hills Arizona. As for what animal i would be...thats easy a house cat that is spoiled rotten and loved beyond measure. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 321.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-02-2020 10:44 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Carmen! So nice to see another FKR team member in the forum. We love what you do!


    #PeopleManagement


  • 322.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 12-31-2019 10:57 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi folks!  My name is Monica Bulat, and I work for the Humane Society of Washington County, in Hagerstown, MD.  I am the Foster Care Coordinator.  We foster all animals, including, but not limited to, iguanas.  I believe that animal welfare is my life's calling.

    If I were an animal, I'd like to be a crow.  They have great problem-solving skills, high intelligence, are very social, and have awesome outfits!  LOL


    #PeopleManagement


  • 323.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-02-2020 10:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi Monica, thanks for joining us in the forum! Love that your organization fosters all animals, especially those lovable iguanas. 

    I agree with you -- crows are awesome. Regarding their awesome outfits --isn't black the new black in 2020? 


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 324.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-07-2020 11:33 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    G'day Mates.  Richard Young, aka land_owner, checking in near Melbourne, Florida (Cocoa) and have actually been to Melbourne, AU.  We, the wife and I, are fostering a lass of a circa 5-week old, surreptitiously abandoned, dehydrated, flea infested, starving kitten with separation anxiety who found us at church last Saturday.  She's (my wife, not the kitten), the Music Director there and I have retired from a professional career as a Civil Engineer. 

    I am, first and foremost, an apex predator (cannot change that), but want (not necessarily want to be) an Otter.  In my mind, they're specifically unique.  Were it not for the demise of the main character, I would loudly sing the praise of "Ring of Bright Water" as an outstanding fictionalized movie tribute to all otters (careful - it is a rip your heart out and stomp that sucker flat - tear jerker that almost brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it).

    We will adopt Gabby - the kitten has had it "rough enough" we figure.  Actually, I never stood a chance against the two of them - one an incessant crier from the get go and together with the other they conspired to melt the hardest of hearts - mine. 

    We'll keep Gabby with our other 3 cats, 1 dog, and 4 birds.  Our Zoo gets larger again and in fact the inmates here run this asylum.


    #PeopleManagement


  • 325.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-09-2020 02:34 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    G'Day, Richard, and welcome to the forum. Your introduction made me laugh -- you're quite the writer!

    I must admit, I hadn't heard of "Ring of Bright Water" so I watched the trailer. Midge the otter made me want one as a friend, too. Looks like she was quite the character. I read some of the comments and see why you cautioned us. It would certainly make me ball like a baby. 

    I'm happy that Gabby will be joining the inmates in running the asylum. It sounds like she ended up in the right place at the right time to be loved by you and your wife. Congrats! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 326.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-09-2020 08:56 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am a cat enthusiast from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.  I am a volunteer pet foster person, but, as Saskatchewan is known for having 8 months of cold weather per year and being as cold as Siberia on a good day, our breeding season is short and busy.  I have studied Hannah Shaw's book, "Tiny but Mighty," her videos, and many Maddie's Pet free training videos on how to help neonatal kittens (and puppies,) survive.  I have very limited resources as we have limited resources when I foster, and I am despairing of fostering more due to the fact that I feel like I can't afford to do it well.  I rent my home yet, it is not unusual for a new foster animal to decide to mark by peeing on the carpet, in which case I lay down a waterproof sheet protector (prior to arrival), pee pads (prior to arrival), and I also carpet spot shampoo whenever I foster a new pet (I specialize in cats and kittens due to my limited space).  The peeing isn't something that I feel like I can continue to cope with and I am despairing of whether to continue fostering because of it.

    As my label implies, I have always been identified with a bear, be it a teddy or a grizzly depending on how I feel in a given day.  How about you?


    #PeopleManagement


  • 327.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 01-09-2020 02:48 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Sara. Happy to have you here! 

    Thank you for fostering cats and kittens, especially the neonates, despite the challenges you shared above. It sounds like you've been proactive in prepping your house for the inevitable accidents. I know this is basic and bet you've already done this but do you have a room with no carpet (like a bathroom) where you can contain your fosters, especially the neonates? I hope you're able to work through the issues to continue fostering. 

    Love that you identify with bears and can be flexible given how you're feeling on a specific day -- BIG difference between a grizzly bear kind of day and teddy bear kind of day! 😉

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 328.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-11-2020 09:52 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I am Kimberly from Eau Claire Wisconsin.  I work with the Eau Claire County Humane Association, as the Foster Coordinator/ Kennel Supervisor. I have been here going on 5 years with a little over a year as foster coordinator. I love my job and all the amazing people and animals I get to meet everyday. I love that I learn something new everyday and not one day is the same as the next in this business. If I could be any animal it would have to be a beautiful Maine Coon cat. What would be better than to be spoiled and loved while being beautiful at the same time :)


    #PeopleManagement


  • 329.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-21-2020 10:47 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the community, Kimberly! I hope you find some useful resources and discussions here to help with your foster coordinator and kennel duties! I have recently become obsessed with Maine Coon's thanks to finally meeting one that a co-worker has. They are such elegant and captivating felines. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 330.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-19-2020 09:26 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi! Thanks for asking...I am a northern southerner. Predominantly northern thou since we are originally from the beautiful state of New York (now living in the warm and friendly state of Georgia). Our life's calling is helping animals in need. That continues to take on different facets but being pet parents to a large and varied group of cats and dogs continues. And we LOVE it! We love them, each and everyone, so very very much. We thank God for the endless joy, fun (and learning!) that they share with us every day. Our Business is ADOPTPETSLOCALLY.COM And currently, we are writing for our local newspaper on pet-related topics. While every single dog I meet, and esp. my own, make my heart go pitter-patter I would have to say...specifically, our cat PEACHES. We are the most similar. She was one of the "extra specials" in our kitten fostering years. She was only 10 weeks old when she came in with her group of siblings and relatives but she had her personality and preferences set! She loves deeply whom she loves.  


    #PeopleManagement


  • 331.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-21-2020 11:21 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Welcome to the forum, Sarah (and Peaches!) Thank you for you do to help pets find their forever homes. I particularly love your "pet peeves column" on your site and the spotlight for adoptable pets. Keep up the great work! 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 332.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-24-2020 08:26 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Thank you, Charlotte! This is a pic. of Peaches and her beloved brother ZM. Have a blessed day. S.

    I can't remember where I buried this image. Sorry for the inconvenience!

    #PeopleManagement


  • 333.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 02-29-2020 08:45 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello! Cathy V here from Homeward Bound Cat Adoptions in Las Vegas, Nevada. I began as a cat foster when we were entirely foster home based. We opened a cage-free adoption center last summer, and I am now the office manager there. We are facing many challenges as we vow to remain true to our mission while being pressured to operate like a municipal shelter. The resources I've read so far here at Maddie's align with our views and the way we want to run our organization. That gives me hope. 

    If I could be any animal I'd be an eagle, soaring freely across the skies and enjoying the awesome view of God's creation. 


    #PeopleManagement


  • 334.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-26-2021 07:21 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    I work for the City of Perris in Southern California. I am the senior animal control officer. If I could be any animal it would be a family dog that is cherished by their owners. A chihuahua that wears fancy clothes most likely.

    ------------------------------
    Christina Avila
    City of Perris Animal Control
    ------------------------------



  • 335.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-27-2021 03:18 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Welcome, Christina!

    A chihuahua that wears fancy clothes? Never seen one of those...LOL!😉  You're right, that would be a pretty good gig!

    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 336.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-27-2021 02:41 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hello everyone, 

    I am Deanna and I work at the City of Lewisville Animal Shelter in Texas. I wear a lot of hats like Senior Animal Care Specialist, Volunteer Coordinator and I am our Vet Tech on thursday's. 

     If I could be any animal it would be a cow.  But not just a regular cow. I would like to be a show cow that is pampered and put into contest! LOL! I used to show cows in high school for FFA and I loved it. They are all so spoiled! :) Moo-Ya!!

    ------------------------------
    Deanna groves
    city of lewisville
    ------------------------------



  • 337.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-27-2021 03:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Deanna,

    Thanks for joining us in the Forum. Moo-Ya!!🤣 

    Your pampered cow should hang out with @Christina Avila's fashionista chihuahua (look at the post above). Sounds like they might be two peas in a pod (a very lopsided pod)! ​

    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 338.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-28-2021 08:31 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Nice to meet everyone!
    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.)
      • Philadelphia, PA - I work for Morris Animal Refuge
    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)\
      • I'm currently the shelter's Lifesaving manager, which means I'm in charge of adoptions, volunteers, fosters, and rescue related matters. It's a smaller shelter so I wear a lot of hats. Just started a few weeks ago!
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? 
      • This is very hard! Either something aquatic or something that flies. I'd probably say something like a heron. 



    ------------------------------
    Keith Mikus
    He/Him
    Lifesaving Manager
    Morris Animal Refuge
    Philadelphia, PA
    267-951-2346
    Kmikus@morrisanimalrefuge.org
    https://www.morrisanimalrefuge.org/
    ------------------------------



  • 339.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-28-2021 08:43 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Welcome to the forum Keith!!

    May I say,  a heron is an amazing choice - I feel like you really put your thinking cap on for this one - coastal breeze, land and water, and you'd be so elegant, lol! 

    Feel free to start a post and ask everyone your burning shelter questions.
    Talk soon,



    ------------------------------
    xo,
    Amber

    Amber Freiwald
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 340.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-29-2021 10:14 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Welcome Keith! Sounds like your new job is definitely a lifesaving one! I looked up Morris because I hadn't heard of them before. It looks like a fantastic organization. How cool to work with an org that has such a long history in rescue. Keep up the great work!


    ------------------------------
    Rene Agredano
    Tripawds
    ------------------------------



  • 341.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-28-2021 09:30 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    I'm from St. Augustine, Florida and I volunteer with Small Lives Matter kitten rescue. I foster kitten and adult cats. I also volunteer at our affiliate Frisky Cat Cafe where we do the majority of our adoptions.  

    My job there includes food and drink service (newbie barista), as well as cat care: feeding, cleanup, vaccinations and medications as necessary. We have about 30 cats at the cafe. Visitors can choose to watch the cats through a window from the front room or pay a small donation to go into the large cat area to interact with the cats and kittens. The visits help to socialize the cats and allow potential adopters to see the cats' unique personalities before being matched with a new kitty.  

    If I could be any animal I would be a cheetah so I could run like the wind!  I briefly volunteered at a cheetah rescue in Namibia and have been up close and personal with them. They are so sleek and elegant and IMO have the cutest babies in the animal world!



    ------------------------------
    Michelle Marquart
    small lives matter
    ------------------------------



  • 342.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-29-2021 11:30 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello everyone! 

    I'm Heidi Mitchell, the Social Media Coordinator for Guilford County Animal Services.

    • Where are you from? (city, state, organization, etc.)
      • Originally grew up all over the east coast. Key West and Virginia Beach for a majority. 
      • I live and work in Greensboro, NC now and am with Guilford County Animal Services.
    • What do you do? (your job, volunteer position, life's calling, etc.)
      • I work in social media, communications, marketing and web management.
    • If you could be ANY animal, what would you be and why? 
      • Hands... eeerr fins... down I would be a Whale Shark. They're my animal guide and favorite animal. Large and powerful yet gentile and graceful. Sometimes misunderstood due to their name. Peaceful cruising out in the big blue. That would be me. :)

    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)



    ------------------------------
    Heidi Mitchell
    Social Media Coordinator
    Guilford County Animal Services
    336-614-3422
    ------------------------------



  • 343.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 07-29-2021 04:35 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Heidi, 

    Thanks for joining the forum and introducing yourself! We're glad you're here.

    I haven't heard of a Whale Shark before and your description sounded so peaceful, I had to google it to learn more. Fascinating! Such lovely gentle giants. I chuckled when I came across this article in my Google search: "Scientists: Young Male Whale Sharks are Homebodies" -- who knew?! LOL 

    Cheers and welcome again!

    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 344.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-02-2021 09:20 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hello, I'm Storm and I'm from Summerville South Carolina. I am the clinic manager and I also do cat behavior and enrichment.  I would be a Leopard, they have always been my favorite since I was a kid.

    ------------------------------
    Storm Moll
    Dorchester Paws
    ------------------------------



  • 345.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-02-2021 08:03 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Thanks for joining us in the forum, Storm.  We're so happy to have you!

    As a self-proclaimed behavior geek, I'm particularly excited to hear that you manage cat behavior and enrichment. I'd love to hear your favorite enrichment tricks and am sure others would too. Do you have any favorite super simple, inexpensive ways to keep our feline friends mentally active and happy?

    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 346.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-03-2021 02:49 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Toilet paper rools that you can cut into small rings or leave hole. Newspapers crumpled into a ball and sprayed with cat nip spray.

    ------------------------------
    Storm Moll
    Dorchester Paws
    ------------------------------



  • 347.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-03-2021 08:06 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    The enrichment team at Dallas Animal Services shared their feline enrichment calendar with me and I have found it an excellent resource. Every day cats receive one enrichment item, and one enrichment scent, in addition to play-time, etc. Apparently, cats also love silver vine and dill! If anyone is interested, email me and I'll send the info along!

    ------------------------------
    Monica Frenden
    American Pets Alive
    ------------------------------



  • 348.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-03-2021 12:31 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Monica, I'd love to check out that calendar, thanks for mentioning it. Sounds like there are some great ideas in there that our new Tripawds cat members would enjoy during recovery.

    ------------------------------
    Rene Agredano
    Tripawds
    ------------------------------



  • 349.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-03-2021 12:38 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hi!

    Thanks to @Monica Tarant, I just added the two Dallas resources​​ to the Resource Library.

    Let me know if you have any trouble viewing:

    Calendar JPEG example from May

    Excel spreadsheet with dog and cat enrichment plans/ideas



    ------------------------------

    Amber Freiwald
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 350.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-06-2021 11:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Thanks Amber!!

    ------------------------------
    Kathy Duncan
    City of Brampton Animal Services
    905 874 3564
    ------------------------------



  • 351.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-06-2021 11:28 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi, I'm Alexis Pugh, the director of Memphis Animal Services in Memphis, TN.

    If I could be any animal I think I would be a capybara- they live in South America (sounds cool), they look like giant guinea pigs ( cuteness overload) and I'm pretty sure they live chill lives hanging out on the beach by the water, so yes- that'll do.

    ------------------------------
    alexis pugh
    ------------------------------



  • 352.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-06-2021 11:59 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    This could be you.
    <3 



    ------------------------------
    Thank you all for all you do!

    Amber Freiwald
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 353.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-09-2021 07:22 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi! I'm Sara. I'm the Digital Marketing Specialist for American Pets Alive! and Human Animal Support Services. If I could be any animal, I would probably be a dog because they are loyal!

    ------------------------------
    Sara Miller
    American Pets Alive!
    ------------------------------



  • 354.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-10-2021 09:42 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Welcome, Sara! Thanks for joining the forum. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know.

    I'm right there with you on dogs and their loyalty.  No matter what I'm feeling, I can always count on my dogs to be right by my side!  ​

    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 355.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-09-2021 09:13 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hello everyone, I am Eliza Torres, the Administrative Assistant for American Pets Alive! and Human Animal Support Services, currently residing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. If I could be any animal it would be a giant squid so that I could explore the mysterious and spooky deep ocean!



    ------------------------------
    Eliza Torres
    American Pets Alive!
    ------------------------------



  • 356.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-10-2021 09:46 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi Eliza and welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum! Thanks for checking in from the great Pacific Northwest. If you see a post you can answer or a discussion you're interested in, jump right in. Or feel free to ask a question or start a discussion. We're all friends here! 


    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 357.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-10-2021 01:54 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi there! I am from the Thomasville Thomas County Humane Society here in Thomasville, GA! :) I am the Animal Care Manager. I love animals more than people lol I'm sorry to say but after working in customer service since 2005 I can say that. haha! I am always on the go, always going so fast everywhere I go, so if I could be anything in the world it would have to be a Cheetah! I'm normally not a cat person but I love Big Cats! :)

    ------------------------------
    Jessica Collins
    Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society
    ------------------------------



  • 358.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-12-2021 04:17 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Please accept my very un-cheetah-like (delayed) welcome to the forum, Jessica! We're happy to have you in the community. There's been quite a bit of activity over the past couple of weeks so sprint right in and go, go, go check it out!

    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 359.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 08-12-2021 04:37 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    This post was removed


  • 360.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-12-2021 06:31 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi!  
    I am with the Humane Society of Washington County located in Hagerstown, MD.
    My official job title is Director of Animal Initiatives or "Queen of the Animal Kingdom"  LOL
    If I could be any animal it would be an Orca as they are graceful, beautiful creatures who I have had the joy of seeing them in the wild (Boo, SeaWorld!)  as they along with dogs are my two favorite animals and I love the ocean more than life!

    ------------------------------
    Kimberly Jones
    Humane Society of Washington County
    3017332060
    ------------------------------



  • 361.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-14-2021 07:50 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hello!
    My name is Kelly Teasley and I am from Atlanta, Ga. I am  the Foster Manager for the Atlanta Humane Society.
    I would have to say if I could be an animal it would be one of my dogs too. All they do is sleep, go on walks, get food and treats served to them and get pet. Sounds like a good life to me!

    ------------------------------
    Kelly Teasley
    Atlanta Humane Society
    ------------------------------



  • 362.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-16-2021 12:29 PM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Hey @Kelly Teasley!

    Welcome!!
    As a friend of mine used to always say..."it's a doggie-dog world."
    She didn't realize that the expression is actually "dog-eat-dog," but I like her colloquialism much much better <3

    Feel free to start asking peers questions or looking at available resources. Let us know if we can help!!​



    ------------------------------
    Thank you all for all you do!

    Amber Freiwald
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 363.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-01-2021 10:25 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    @Amber Freiwald is it possible your friend was a fan of Snoop Dogg? Doggy Dog World was a pretty popular song of his. From your friendly neighborhood #old ;)

    Warning to anyone who may search that song. Lyrics definitely NSFW!​​

    ------------------------------
    elena battles
    ------------------------------



  • 364.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-17-2021 06:52 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hello All! 

    I am from New Jersey but currently practice outside Portland, Maine. I am a Veterinary Behaviorist and I have my own behavior referral practice. I have a background in shelter medicine too as my most recent job was Director of Behavior Services at our local shelter. If I could be any animal then I would probably be a bird so that I could fly.

    ------------------------------
    Christine D. Calder DVM
    Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
    Calder Veterinary Behavior Services
    www.caldervbs.com

    Veterinary Behaviorist
    Behavior Specialist, MPF
    ------------------------------



  • 365.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 08-25-2021 04:48 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi! My name is Cindy Flauger and I live in the Appleton, WI area - close to Green Bay Packer territory. I work at the Neenah Animal shelter where I am the executive director.

    If I could choose to be any animal I would be an elephant. I find them to be intriguing, majestic and supposedly have great long-term memories.


  • 366.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 08-27-2021 09:54 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi everyone!

    I am from NYC and I'm the Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy for PAWS NY.  
    If I could be any animal, I think I'd choose my pup Emmylou.  She's pampered and gets to go on amazing adventures!

    ------------------------------
    Carrie Nydick Finch, MS, LCSW
    Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy
    PAWS NY
    New York, NY
    212-203-4760
    ------------------------------



  • 367.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-03-2021 08:18 AM
    No replies, thread closed.

    Collinsville, IL, is my current home, and I am partnering with Have Mercy Dog Training to help train and upgrade local shelters! 

    I am a lot of things, behavioral modification trainer, an administrative person, I'd say assistant, but I do a bit more than that, Pet care business consultant, shelter consultant, and both a dog and human mama. Whew, that is a mouthful!

    I've always loved the idea of being a horse; I may have been obsessed with them when I was a wee little lass. I loved how free they looked, running together and how strong they were. Horses are very versatile in the skillset between being beautiful and a strong worker; I always admired horses.



    ------------------------------
    Aubrey Schwarz
    Have Mercy Dog training
    ------------------------------



  • 368.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-07-2021 12:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi All! My name is Jenn and I am the Community Services Manager at the Animal Welfare Society in lovely Kennebunk, Maine (aka Vacationland). If I could be an animal I would be a lemur. Who wouldn't want to live exclusively on an island, have a very fancy tail and reside in a tree (house)?

    ------------------------------
    Jenn Danks
    Animal Welfare Society
    ------------------------------



  • 369.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-10-2021 12:26 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi all! I am a regional humane educator with the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Animals, based in the Kootenays region. If I could be any animal, I think I would love to be a loved rescue cat. They live the good life, napping in a sunny chair, having food on demand and someone to clean up all their messes. 🐈

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/bcspcalearnathome

    ------------------------------
    Stephenie Campbell
    BCSPCA
    ------------------------------



  • 370.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-15-2021 03:38 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    I’m from K9 Stray Rescue League in Oxford, MI. I’m the Volunteer Coordinator. We’re a smaller dog only rescue , so my role is jam packed with responsibilities that I (mostly) love! If I could be any animal…so hard to choose! Either a horse or elephant. Both are social and loving animals that form strong bonds with others.

    ---------------------------------
    Natalie Moser

    K9 Stray Rescue League
    ---------------------------------





  • 371.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-16-2021 08:16 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Welcome Natalie! It's good to have you here. I'm learning a lot from being part of this community and I know you will too!

    ------------------------------
    Rene Agredano
    Tripawds
    ------------------------------



  • 372.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-16-2021 02:32 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi to everybody and nice to meet you! I'm Arianna, sociologist and I wish to be a sloth!! To live more relaxed and in a slower mood !!

    ------------------------------
    Arianna Della Beffa
    no organization
    ------------------------------



  • 373.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-17-2021 05:57 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    I think your reasons for wanting to be a sloth are spot-on! Welcome!

    ------------------------------
    Rene Agredano
    Tripawds
    ------------------------------



  • 374.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-17-2021 08:23 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi, all!  So excited to be here!  Learning so much!  I'm from Williamstown, New Jersey, which is about 20 minutes outside of Atlantic City.  I am also with Friends for Life Animal Rescue Tri-State just established in January 2021!  Friends for Life is not a brick-and-mortar organization.  We are completely volunteer/foster based with all of our members spread throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

    Since we are just starting out, I have several roles in the organization.  I am the Shelter Liaison - I reach out to local shelters and work on partnering with them and helping them find foster or permanent homes for pups, especially those that the shelter has difficulty finding placement for.  I am also part of the Adoption Team - so I process applications and run virtual home visits.  And lastly, I am the organization's Grant writer and Director of Development.  

    When I'm not participating in any of those roles, I am a Legal Transcriptionist and I work from home.   I am also a Mom to my 16-yr-old son and Mom to my two resident pups and foster mom to one pup since there is always a foster here in the home.  

    If I could be any animal, without a doubt, I would be a unicorn 🦄 .  Not only do they represent individualism, allowing us to be okay with our true selves, they are a symbol showing strength can be found in gentleness and love.

    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Rambo
    Friends for Life Animal Rescue TriState
    ------------------------------



  • 375.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-17-2021 08:24 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi, I'm Allie. I live in New Orleans, LA. I am a certified dog trainer and the manager of rescue partnerships at GoodPup. Before that, I worked at the Louisiana SPCA for 7 years as the foster coordinator and the adoption supervisor, and before that I worked at the Central Vermont Humane Society in VT. Now, I manage GoodPup's rescue program, which helps rescues provide positive reinforcement dog training to their adopters, fosters, and community. I still volunteer at the Louisiana SPCA, and one of my favorite duties is taking photos of adoptable pets for the website. If I could be an animal, I would be a wolf!

    ------------------------------
    Allie Mayer
    GoodPup (staff) and Louisiana SPCA (volunteer)
    ------------------------------



  • 376.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-24-2021 02:11 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi! I'm from the Truckee-Lake Tahoe area in California. I'm the Community Engagement Director for the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. I absolutely love my job and those I work with! If I could be any animal I would be a bird. I love to travel and there's a lot less traffic in the sky!

    ------------------------------
    Erin Ellis
    Community Engagement Director
    Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

    ---------
    Volunteer & Community Partnerships Specialist
    ------------------------------



  • 377.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-24-2021 03:09 PM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Welcome Erin!  You live in such a beautiful part of the country. I'd love to be a bird and fly all over that area!

    How are you guys faring with all of the fire activity? Maybe that's something for a different topic in the forums but it would be interesting to know how your org is holding up.

    ------------------------------
    Rene Agredano
    Tripawds
    ------------------------------



  • 378.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-27-2021 07:18 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Hi There,

    Yes, the Truckee-Tahoe area is such a beautiful place! The fires are much more contained, at least in our immediate area. We did have to close and evacuate our South Lake Tahoe office space. Normally we have cats and kittens up for adoption at that location, but were able to adopt out the ones we had before closing the office for a bit. We also took in a few evacuated pets from South Lake at our Truckee shelter and we sent staff and volunteers down to Douglas County to help at the shelter and fairgrounds with evacuated pets. We transferred in several  pets from different areas due to wildfire. It was super smokey here for a while, but luckily with the fires much more contained, most of that smoke has dissipated. Fingers crossed we get through the rest of fire season unscathed. 

    Thanks for asking!

    ------------------------------
    Erin Ellis
    Community Engagement Director
    Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

    ---------
    Volunteer & Community Partnerships Specialist
    ------------------------------



  • 379.  RE: Welcome to Maddie's Pet Forum!

    Posted 09-27-2021 10:58 AM
    No replies, thread closed.
    Erin I'm so glad you guys made it through that awful situation! Sounds like your team was well-prepared for something like this. Good job!

    Nice to know the skies are clearing now, I hope you and the critters are able to enjoy some beautiful fall weather.

    ------------------------------
    Rene Agredano
    Tripawds
    ------------------------------