Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only
  • 1.  Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-14-2022 08:48 AM
    Hello, 
    Would anyone have suggestions for classes or webinars to help adoption counselors not be as biased or judgmental toward potential adopters?
    #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
    #EducationandTraining

    ------------------------------
    Megan Stalb
    Adoption Manager
    Queen Anne's County Animal Services
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-14-2022 09:58 AM
    Hi Megan,

    Here are a couple of resources in that area:

    Programs Working on Bias
    • Pets For Life - HSUS Program that looks at addressing systemic inequities and injustices in underserved communities
    • CARE - Companions for Animal Reform and Equity provides lived-experience stories on BIPOC animal issues
    • Best Friends DEI - A set of resources on diversity and inclusion from Best Friends Network (they have a lot of good resources in this area)
    • Encompass - Addresses racial equity in animal control

    Specific Resources
    Your Adoption Program
    Another really important area to consider here is, your shelter's policies and practices will help direct your employee behavior.  If your adoption policies and procedures mean that staff has to follow and evaluate applicants in a way that better supports minority, low-income, and underrepresented families, that will help to remove those barriers.  So setting up that process in a way that is inclusive is also really helpful.

    ------------------------------
    Jeff Okazaki
    Humane Society of Jefferson County
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-14-2022 10:22 AM
    Hi Jeff, 

    Thank you for these great resources! I will take a look at them :)

    ------------------------------
    Megan Stalb
    Adoption Manager
    Queen Anne's County Animal Services
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-14-2022 05:36 PM

    Hi, Megan:

    Besides Jeff's great list, I can recommend the following courses:

    Vancouver Humane Society's Trauma Informed & Culturally Safe Training

    Customer Service for Animal Shelters (Maddie's University)

    Keeping Pets in Homes (Maddie's U)

    Open Cat Adoptions (Maddie's U)

    Open Dog Adoptions (Maddie's U)



    ------------------------------
    Erika Shaffer
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-15-2022 07:07 AM
    Morning Erika, 

    Thank you for these as well! I really appreciate all the help!

    ------------------------------
    Megan Stalb
    Adoption Manager
    Queen Anne's County Animal Services
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-15-2022 06:47 AM
    Hi, 
    This webinar is great: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/discussion/community-conversations-10322-listening-to-hear-removing-hidden-barriers-and-offering-grace 




    ------------------------------
    Jasmine Odynski
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-15-2022 07:07 AM
    Morning Jasmine, 

    Thank you for the webinar as well!

    ------------------------------
    Megan Stalb
    Adoption Manager
    Queen Anne's County Animal Services
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Adoption and Judgement Towards Certain Adopters

    Posted 12-15-2022 07:55 AM
    Hi Megan,
    I came across this great Saving Nevada's Pets conference presentation on Maddie's Fund Education that really helped me look at potential adopters in a less judgmental way.  The title is Turbocharging Pet Adoptions.  
    https://university.maddiesfund.org/webinar/200955
    Thanks so much for asking your question!
    Jacqui Allen
    Animal Care Technician
    Gloucester Mathews Humane Society
    Virginia

    ------------------------------
    Jacqueline Allen
    none
    ------------------------------