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Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

  • 1.  Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-07-2021 11:02 PM
    What does your organization do to support veterans?

    If your organization does something to support veterans, around Veteran's Day or throughout the year, tell us about it. It could be anything -- special programming, adoption specials, promotions, marketing pushes, outreach...whatever you do. And bonus points if you share your materials (flyers, program guidelines, ads, etc.)!

    And if you don't do anything currently, do you have ideas for the future? Let's brainstorm together!

    #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

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    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 2.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-08-2021 05:22 AM
    We have done adoption specials around Veterans Day and 4th of July were we have waived all adoption fees for veterans or active military members and their families. They have been very successful and just a positive action for community members.

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    Amy Dávila Sánchez
    Marketing Manager,
    Strategic Initiatives and Multicultural Marketing
    Best Friends Animal Society

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    Marketing Specialist
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  • 3.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-08-2021 09:47 AM
    We offer 50% off adoption fees for all active duty military and veterans, and FREE adoptions for disabled veterans. We do this year-round and have done it for years.

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    Alexis Pugh
    Director, Memphis Animal Services
    www.memphisanimalservices.com

    Organizational Management
    & Pet Support Services Specialist
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  • 4.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-08-2021 10:57 AM
    I ended up with a small rescue and luckily the Humane Society of The Upper Valley stepped in to help me with getting my kitty's all they needed vet wise. I was hoping to somehow place some of these kitty's with people who need an emotional support pet. I wanted to somehow connect with veterans who needed one. I'm currently working on a brochure  that I'll be able to give to people. Any ideas on how to go about this. I have several kitty's who are perfect for this.

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    Marilee Love
    Humane society of The Upper Valley
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  • 5.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-09-2021 08:41 AM
    Hi Marilee, 

    Here are some ideas for a brochure or maybe a simple flyer: 
    - You can name the program something like "Kittens for Veterans"  or "Cats and Kittens for Veterans". There may be other creative naming ideas out there. 
    - The flyer can start by mentioning the benefits of owning cats/kittens in terms of providing companionship, reducing stress,  exchange of love.  All the positive benefits that owning a cat/ kitten can bring to a person.  The mention of the general benefits should do the heavy lifting for convincing someone to adopt. 
    - Mention where people can see the cats and kittens available for adoption. QR CODES work great.  
    -Mention what people need to provide to adopt or what to expect from the adoption process. 
    - Mention any special discounts, offers, or waived fees for veterans and active military servicewomen and servicemen. 

    I would keep the flyer generic so that you can use it recurrently. If you have a website you can add a special section with the cats and kittens that would be perfect for that program. 



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    Amy Dávila Sánchez
    Marketing Manager,
    Strategic Initiatives and Multicultural Marketing
    Best Friends Animal Society

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    Marketing Specialist
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  • 6.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-08-2021 11:02 AM
    We're similar to Alexis and her org and offer half off adoptions year-round for active military.

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    Erin Ellis
    Community Engagement Director
    Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe

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    Volunteer & Community Partnerships Specialist
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  • 7.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-09-2021 09:00 AM
    Our entire county hosts a one day event for our veterans. Animal Services has a booth that offers veterinary care, grooming, food, supplies and one year free license.  In 2020, Stand Down didn't happen but we had a drive thru vaccine clinic offering similar services. This year we also decided to host a week of free adoptions and free RTO's in honor of Veterans day.

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    Kathryn Ochoa
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  • 8.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-09-2021 09:19 AM
    Hi Kathryn, 

    This is awesome! Are you in Alameda County (CA)?  

    It looks like you tried to attach a "Stand Down" jpg to your post but for some reason it won't open. Could you try again by replying to this post and uploading the file again?   Thanks!

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    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 9.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-09-2021 09:41 AM
      |   view attached
    Hi! I am in Santa Barbara County, CA. I have tried reattaching but here is a link to the Stand Down Facebook page in case that doesn't work: https://www.facebook.com/sbcountystanddown

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    Kathryn Ochoa
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  • 10.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 11-09-2021 10:52 AM
    Thanks, Kathyrn! It's working now.

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    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 11.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 01-14-2022 07:44 AM
    We have recently started participating more actively in the Pets for Patriots program. It's a national program and they provide plenty of visual collateral (like a cool icon for the kennel card), posters, staff training tools, etc. AND they give the adopting veteran a $150 gift card for pet supplies. They approve the veteran for the program, and it was up to our shelter to determine adoption fees or other perks. We decided to waive the adoption fee and provide for one in-home dog training session if needed. The dogs and cats that qualify are the harder to place animals with special medical or behavior needs so it's a huge win all the way around!

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    Amy Buttry
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  • 12.  RE: Does your organization do anything special to support veterans?

    Posted 01-14-2022 09:48 AM
    Thanks for sharing this, Amy. The Pets for Patriots program is one of my favorites! I love that you chose to waive the adoption fee and provide for one in-home training session too. Being able to match a veteran with a pet and placing some of the harder to place animals is definitely a win-win. 💗  Do you have any memorable success stories you can share? I know you just recently started participating but if you have any to share, I'd love to hear them.

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    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Community Manager
    Maddie's Fund
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