Animal Welfare Professionals

Tell us the one thing (okay, or two or three) that you've done to help reduce average length of stay and, subsequently, the average size of your in-shelter population. It may not have even been a change that was primarily intended to reduce ALOS. Let us know!!

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

Thanks in advance!

One of the big things we have tried was actually funded by Maddie's Fund's Innovation Grant. We implemented a "Mutts on the Move" Program where a group of volunteers assist us by taking some of our dogs available for adoption outside the facility to a local park to run around, have fun and reduce kennel stress. The program was originally designed for our staff to be able to deep clean come kennels, but it ended up helping with reducing length of stay.

The dogs are much happier and enjoy time outside of the shelter. People notice the dogs and proceed to ask questions about them. We have had numerous dogs (about 2-3 from each Mutts on the Move Session) that are adopted because someone saw them at Mutts on the Move. 

We also do Mutt Manners Mondays where our Foster Coordinator will take a dog out on Monday for a super fun adventure. They head to PetSmart, and other pet friendly locations to meet people and pets, gather some social skills and attend a training class with a trainer that we work with regularly. The dogs enjoy exploring our city and they get a lot of attention from both PetSmart staff and other members. WE have had at least 2 additional adoptions per month due to a Mutt Manners Monday post. 

Tracking pets with LOS 30+ days and sharing them with vols, staff and public

Our Community Cat Program, which offers TNR and free spay and neuter for outdoor cats. Kept cats out of the shelter and decreased LOS. With less cats, there was less stress and less URI. It's been a complete game changers!