Animal Welfare Professionals

Tell us the one thing (okay, or two or three) that you've done regarding your intake policies that has helped you reduce unnecessary shelter intake. It doesn't have to be a huge thing (but it can be).

Bonus points: have a protocol or policy document (or anything else) you can share? Go ahead and attach it to your post!!

Thanks in advance!

At our rescue, we've implemented several things to assist with intake prevention.  First, we made some changes to our intake process. We take intakes from the general public through appointments only. We have a questionnaire that allows us to understand what is going on at home. We offer resources and work with local trainers who are willing to complete home visits to help with any behavioral issues. We learned that a lot of people run into roadblocks and just need a list of ample resources available in the community.

Another thing we utilize is the Adopt-a-Pet's Application.. Rehome. This allows an owner to actively take part in the rehoming process for an animal in the convenience of their own home. 

These changes allowed us to reduce intakes from the general public, and focus on pulling animals from municipal animal control agencies.

Providing staff with diversion supplies, and empowering them to offer support to help pet owners solve problems

Giving officers a scanner and guidance for increasing RTOs in the field - the animals go home and never set foot in the shelter.

Boosting our foster program to help more neonates - especially kittens.

Nice!

Any sense of how much this increased RTO's?

It varies by month (as does our intake) but an average of 58% the first 2 years!

Implementing the Trap Neuter Release program for cats.

Thank you so much for all the great replies! Keep 'em coming!!!

Change staff at the intake desk. It's not a position that just anyone can be successful. If despite training, coaching, and their best efforts they just aren't connecting for success we will find a more appropriate position for them. 

We created a pet food pantry for folks who otherwise would need to surrender due to finances.