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Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

  • 1.  Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 07-28-2025 06:54 PM

    Updated 8/4/25 at 3:00 pm - Recording now available to watch on-demand!

    Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.

    We're excited to welcome you back for a brand new season of Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie, starting Monday, August 4, 2025 at 11am PT / 2pm ET!

    We're kicking things off with an important conversation, "How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care" with @Jessica Lopez (Executive Director/Founder, The Paw Mission) and @Kristine Watson, MPA (Director, City of San Bernardino Animal Services). 

    Jessica and Kristine join us from San Bernardino County where they are joining efforts to address the access to care challenges experienced county-wide. San Bernardino is the largest county in the U.S., and faces inequities that lead to barriers in housing and veterinary care – both impacting the health and well-being of people and their beloved pets. Jessica and Kris will share strategies they've applied to deliver access to care with community at the heart of their work. 

    This session is especially relevant for administration, executive leadership, and community outreach teams-but everyone is welcome!

    🔑 Key Takeaways:

    • How municipal agencies and nonprofits can form strong, collaborative partnerships to better serve communities.
    • Tips for navigating and managing service contracts as a municipality.


    💬 Question of the Day: Tell us about a collaborative partnership you established (e.g., colleague or neighbor) that enabled you to reach a goal.
    We'd love to hear your reflections-come ready to share on the call or respond in the discussion thread below!

    🔗 Explore this related resource ahead of the session:
    Access to Veterinary Care Map – University of Tennessee Program for Pet Health Equity

    Maddie's Fund will also be announcing the June grant giveaway winners! And, don't forget - $10,000 in grants each month
    Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the giveaway drawing entry forms that will be shared in the chat during the calls.

    Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025
    If you have not re-registered for the new season, please do so today. 

    🧠 Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions?
    We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread. 

    We can't wait to learn and grow with you this season. See you there!


    #AccesstoCare
    #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
    #EducationandTraining
    #FieldServicesandPublicSafety*
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PetSupportServices*

    ------------------------------
    Sheila Kouhkan
    Senior Education Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 07-29-2025 02:50 PM

    This is a great topic and love the question of the day and that you framed it to be for work or personal life. A neighbor and I have been collaborating on getting community cats spayed and neutered on our block. The problem felt overwhelming when I approached it solo but meeting her has made it a team effort and so much more manageable.



    ------------------------------
    Allison Cardona
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 07-30-2025 03:33 AM

    Love this topic. We have had many collaborations with other rescues and businesses over the years that have been mutually beneficial. The one I am most pleased with is our pet food bank. Two years ago we wanted to add a service to help families in our rural community. We are located in a rural area and services for families are limited.  We reached out to two pet stores in a larger neighboring community who both agreed to supply donated food for those in need. Within a year we had two more pet stores sharing donated food and supplies with us for our program. We had five families that first month and now have 91 families and three smaller nonprofits registered to receive monthly supplemental pet food. That may not seem like a lot but we our sanctuary that is not open to the public and we do not have an adoption center where people can just come out to pick up food as needed. Once a month we would set up requested food (cat, dog, rabbit, chicken, etc) for the participants with their name on it they would drive through pickup. With 181 animals in our care and few volunteers to help it became a lot of work. Last month we reached out to a couple of local small businesses and churches in our little town asking them to be pickup locations for our food bank. Three have agreed to join us. Since we have the space to store the food we  decided to continue to be the storage/distribution space. We will continue to receive donated food from the four pet stores, with a volunteer picking up and delivering the food to us. Then our new pickup partners come to us to pickup what they need for their locations. We are one month into this new setup and so far it is working well.  



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 07-30-2025 09:54 AM

    Looking forward to this topic on Monday.  Listing public-private partnerships I have assisted with at my organizations:

    • 'Go fund me' on shelter website specifically for the community to donate to our private vet treatment fund.  This money helps citizens who apply to pay for veterinary care for their pets and keeps those animals from shelter surrender.  It has been super successful. 
    • Partnering with veterinary colleges and community colleges to train students and promote shelter medicine- investment in future professionals who will learn the need for supporting access to care
    • Partner with social services to reach the people who need assistance for their pets- at our local County Animal Services
    • Participate in local events - backpacks for kids- ACOs attend and provide low-cost information for vaccines, S/N, dog safety for kids
    • Public donations specifically for TNR and barn cat programs
    • Partner with local Universities and businesses to fund raise for access to care programs that the shelter oversees
    • State VMA association has grants to provide shelters for improving animal welfare in the shelter


    ------------------------------
    sandra strong
    Animal Welfare Veterinarian
    Merck
    NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 12:27 PM

    Thanks to our incredible speakers and everyone who joined us today! We would love to hear from you in response to today's reflection question: 

    After hearing today's presentation, what is one thing you will bring back to your organization to improve access to care in your community?



    ------------------------------
    Sheila Kouhkan
    Senior Education Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-11-2025 11:56 AM

    We really need to spend some time around how we are communicating with non-English speaking residents and ensure we have a systemic process in place to correctly and appropriately translate information.  Also, going to see if we have contact with "promotoras" in our region --  that's a must!

    Thanks so much for all the valuable information.

    Ann



    ------------------------------
    Ann McCague
    Board Member
    Animal Protection Society - Friday Harbor
    WA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 01:04 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "Do you have a letter as to how to ask other vets to help with a program?" - @Anita Selby



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 04:20 PM

    Hi there, 

    This might be more for Kristine at San Bernardino City, but I'd start reaching out to animal hospitals in the area that might be doing some community work, but start by taking some donuts in and asking to meet and see what the hospital's goals are, and if they align with yours.  Develop the relationship then ask. 



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Lopez
    The PAW Mission
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 06:03 PM

    I love this answer, Jessica! A reminder that relationships take time and you don't have to jump right in to what you need or what they might need.



    ------------------------------
    Allison Cardona
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-05-2025 01:20 PM

    Hello,

    We do not have a letter, but we have visited all brick and mortar veterinarians to let them know about us and to ask if they would be willing to partner with us. One of the local clinics focusing on emergency care has started taking in a lot of our critical cases. Because we established the relationship in person and continue with open communications, this clinic has raised money for shelter programs and even donated a ton of kitten and puppy formula last week. Don't be afraid of communicating your challenges and be open to help when offered!

    Best,

    Kris



    ------------------------------
    Kristine Watson
    Director
    Animal Services Department
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 01:10 PM

    In answer to today's Reflection Question--I will derfiniate make an effort to reach out to more municipal officials for partnerships!  This should be a priority for us.



    ------------------------------
    April King
    Volunteer and Board Member
    Kotor Kitties
    +1 206 407 5336
    http://www.kotorkitties.org
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-13-2025 11:22 AM

    I agree.  Reaching out for municipal partnerships had never even crossed my mind. This is a huge untapped opportunity. 



    ------------------------------
    Shana McCawley
    Vice President
    Freed Spirits Animal Rescue
    AZ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 03:23 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "Can you help share how you initiated the partnership?  I know many nonprofits want to partner with their local municipal shelters and distrust (on both sides) makes getting started difficult." - @Kelly Furnas



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 04:25 PM

    Hi there!

    I'd start my making sure that your organization has not been combative previously on social media or in person, and if so, an apology and relationship mending should be done.  I'd start with looking at the data and understanding what the shelter needs the most.  Are there high numbers of medical cases or RTOs that are coming into the shelter, maybe starting a shelter intervention program is needed.  But understanding the numbers is a great way to have an idea prior to your meeting on what programs your organization can feasibly do, then ask the shelter what do they need help with.  

    It's very much creating a relationship, especially, if there was harm done on either side, it might take time, trust is hard to bring back if it was broken.



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Lopez
    The PAW Mission
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 03:24 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "Can you talk about how you have recruited and maintained vets?" - @Allison Cardona (she/her/ella)



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 04:36 PM

    Hi :)

    We have recruited and maintained vets mainly by word of mouth.   One HQHVSN vet worked with us, told her friends and coworkers, and now we are able to run both our HQHVSN and our wellness clinic with per diem dvms. 



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Lopez
    The PAW Mission
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 06:05 PM

    Thanks for the reply and that speaks volumes about your organizational culture!



    ------------------------------
    Allison Cardona
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 03:25 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat: 

    "We are a small 501c3 rescue serving 2 counties that do not fund us.  I know both counties would like to partner with us, but all of the surrounding areas that have contracts have found that if they do partner, there ends up being a contract whereby the rescue MUST take in all animals brought to them from animal control, and that has led to them having to euthanize for space (which we don't do).  While I would love to get some funding, I am hesitant to reach out to the municipalities out of fear for being roped into a relationship that is not beneficial to us.  Any advice on establishing a collaboration where we don't get the short end of the stick?" - @Carol Williams



    ------------------------------
    Community Conversations
    Community Conversations Committee
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-04-2025 04:43 PM

    Hi there, 

    I'd make sure you know what your goals in working with the shelter would be and what are your capacity for care limits.  Go into the shelter knowing your hard limits and what you cannot do.  If they press you for more commitment don't be afraid to walk away and leave a page on what you'd like your partnership to look like, so its beneficial on both sides. 



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Lopez
    The PAW Mission
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-05-2025 01:09 PM

    Hello,

    I would also offer that you can negotiate the contract, including obligations, etc. We have a nonprofit partner that only helps with diversion and issuing veterinary care vouchers to the community. There are so many ways that a nonprofit partner can help support a municipality besides pulling animals!

    Best, 

    Kris



    ------------------------------
    Kristine Watson
    Director
    Animal Services Department
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 21.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-05-2025 01:15 PM

    @Allison Cardona We've been lucky enough to recruit some of the same per-diem vets as Jessica - many who worked with Jessica on her bus at our shelter have started working for the shelter as well! This is why it is so important to reinforce the teamwork between shelter staff and partner organizations. No one wants to work in a place where they don't feel welcome. 



    ------------------------------
    Kristine Watson
    Director
    Animal Services Department
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 22.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-05-2025 08:22 AM

    Carol, that is the difference between a Rescue and  Municipal Shelter. Rescues can pick and choose the animals they take in, open admission shelters can't. The consequences are very real. As a 501(c)3 you should have many sources of funding available to you. Look up grants and funding available to you. Rachel Ray, Maddies Fund, PetSmart and many smaller grant makers who only grant to 501(c)3 organizations. It takes some time and effort but the money is out there. Also approach any businesses in your area and see if they would like to sponsor an adoption event or vaccinations for your animals for a month/week. Maybe pre-paid adoptions for certain animals. These are just some ideas of all things you can pursue to help your organization. 



    ------------------------------
    Carrie Ward
    South Utah Valley Animal Services Special Service District
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 23.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-05-2025 12:41 PM

    Thanks to the 126+ people and paws who joined us on today's Community Conversations call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap of today's call and the resources shared. 

    Call Recap

    Welcome from hosts

    • Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team, Maddie's Fund
    • Sheila Kouhkan, Senior Education Specialist, Maddie's Fund

    Question of the Day: Tell us about a collaborative partnership you established (e.g., colleague or neighbor) that enabled you to reach a goal.

    • "I worked with my mother and her friend to make a living arrangement that benefited them both. What a relief." - Rina Fernandez
    • "We partnered with another non-profit to provide spay / neuter to owned pets in our community.  We have the space and equipment.  They had the staff and vet.." - Shannon Parker
    • "The network of friends and colleagues who show up for each other - mutual aid in action - fills my cup." - Allison Cardona
    • "Collaborating with our local municipal shelter has allowed us to increase our lifesaving efforts! So rewarding" - Alex Kastanas Holladay
    • "We have a great relationship with a local coffee shop called Three Sisters, who has been a huge advocate for us and let us host events and fundraisers there, expanding our reach!" - Bri Xandrick
    • "A simple get together with a friend introduced me to a long time monthly donor to our organization. You never know who you will meet that help so many animals." - Nineveh Parker
    • "We are beyond thankful for the generosity! We only formed the rescue last year, so we're so appreciative to be able to be in space like this and learn from so many amazing people!" - Lauren Avon
    • "I started the pet retention program to help low-income clients in Delaware county be able to get food, medical preventatives, free spay/neuters and vaccines." - Kaila Rosenberger
    • "We partnered with another non-profit to co-create more culturally-inclusive curriculum for Native youth that expanded our humane education program ♥️" - Minhhan (RedRover)
    • "We partnered with an established human food shelf to distribute pet food." - Ashley Komiskey
    • "We work with Tractor Supply and had a pet adoption event.  We brought 3 dogs and 2 were adopted." - Marilyn Epley
    • "I continuously reached out to various NGOs in Montenegro, where our program does high-volume spay-neuter of cats.  There was no interest from quite a few I contacted, until I found an NGO with the vision and creativity to work with us on Spay-Neuter Awareness Month.  By the time our activities launched, we had 14 NGOs signed on to sponsor!" - April King
    • "I am a huge proponent of partnerships and integrate them into our every aspect of our operations from fundraising to programs to operations and even administration. Most recently, I formed a partnership with a homeless veteran organization to serve them in therapeutic programs, but also they provide volunteer support for our herd!" - Joni Wood-Martin
    • "My friend Peggy convinced me to join her on the board of our local non-profit animal rescue/shelter...together we've organized the grant writing process and now have a streamlined system for writing, tracking and submitting our grant applications -- which, aside from our generous donors is lifeblood for maintaining our important work!." - Ann McCague
    • "We have a pet food pantry here at the shelter but we've been partnering with UT's AlignCare to take our pantry outside of our shelter. They, along with other community partners, help us get pet supplies and food to those that cannot get here, whether they are elderly, disabled, low-income, or unhoused!" - KaDee Andreasen
    • "We currently have a pet food pantry and will deliver supplies within reason to members of our community while we are able to do that." - Hannah Blackwelder
    • "We partnered with our local library to host pet adoption events in front of their building during downtown community gatherings. This collaboration increased our visibility and helped us connect with community members who may not have otherwise encountered our adoptable cats and dogs." - Michelle Russillo
    • "We are 1 hr away from a low-cost vet, so being able to do series of vaccines for rescue kittens." - Virginia Brantley
    • "Good afternoon from River Cities Humane Society for Cats in Monroe, Louisiana! A collaborative partnership we have established to reach a goal was with our local libraries! Our local libraries are always willing to help us with adoption events, raising awareness, and assisting us with engaging the community in events such as our kitten showers! Having their support has allowed us to significantly increase our volunteer base, donations, and adoptions! Never forget your libraries 🥰" - Michaela Taylor
    • "We ended up collaborating with a shelter in Vermont this past year.  They gave us tips on one of their fundraisers a foster of ours participated in. It was a really fun online fundraiser that brought us together, raised some money and the outcome was beautiful artwork of people's beloved pets." - Erin Wilson
    • "I partnered with an intern from the Health Department on a special project to highlight our shelter dogs. We did dog paintings (made by the dogs) and used them to market the dogs as well as auctioned them off for fundraising." - Christie Fuentes
    • "Collaboration:  Our local Keller Farmers Market allows us to set up a booth for free, any week we wish.  With this partnership, we get lots of exposure within the community, receive donations, allow lots of socialization for our pups and kitties, and offer all the feel good that our furbabies give naturally.   We feel very fortunate!" -  Kathy Tipps
    • "Charleston Animal Society has an Animal Resource Center distributing food and vet care keeping pets in their families and our foster system of care accommodates pets when owners are in rehab or hospitalized, pets for unhoused individuals in transition and those facing DV. Our shelter team works really hard to keep pets and people together." -  Lisa Pearce
    • "Hi from All About the Animals Foundation! We support families who are financially constrained when their pet needs emergency care. Our team includes three veterinary nurses specializing in emergency medicine. We are developing quickly with partnerships with veterinary hospitals and other organizations. In the past four months alone, we are now registered/associated in Connecticut, New York, North Carolina and California. I am always open to talking and seeing where we can be of resource." - Maria Putnam
    •  "Congratulations to the Winners! At Pitties and Pals in NJ, we work with other shelters & rescue groups in northern & central Jersey to see which group has room & fosters & opportunity to rescue a dog from a shelter. Some can take small dogs, some take pure breed, we take a mix but specialize in bully breed mixes. We work well this these groups to save lives." - Jennifer McCormack
    • "Animal Protection Society - Friday Harbor's pet food pantry has a collaborative partnership with Meals on Wheels. We provide pet food for our community who are homebound and/or those with limited mobility. This ensures that their pets remain in their homes." - Ann McCague

    National Updates


    Presentation: How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care     


    Highlights from the Chat

    • "🥳🥳🥳🥳 It is so incredible that you're able to do these grants. This is going to make a HUGE difference at LAB!! 🥰" - Bree George
    • "Loved the idea that there is no negative comments about the shelters or their partners." - Stefanie Holzman
    • "This is such important work! Great examples. Thank you for sharing your methods and impact." - Lisa Pearce
    • "Fabulous presentation! Thank you!! And a special hug to Mary Smith... it's so good to see you!" - Mary Flores
    • "Municipal and County contracts and agreements are in place with more to come in SC. Thank you all!! Your lifesaving skills are amazing.  My baby bro is in San Bernadino!" - Lisa Pearce
    • "Thank you, this was very wonderful." - Thalia Haseotes
    • "Yes, you two are amazing - thank you for sharing!!!" - emily wood
    • "Thank you so much!  We are a very young rescue ( 2 years in Nov).  This is invaluable!" - Kathy Tipps
    • "Jessica and Kristine thank you! I love how you all support one another!" -Ivy Ruiz
    • "Be patient and keep trying" - Beth Porter


    ------------------------------
    Sheila Kouhkan
    Senior Education Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 24.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-06-2025 07:22 AM

    Our very small TNR group has formed several community partnerships. These include 2 low cost spay neuter clinics that are over an hour away, but they are our only option.

    We also are supported by another non profit who gives us a monthly donation to help cover the spay/neuter surgery (it does not include any extra medications or flea treatment).

    We also recently started trapping at a new location- a mobile home community. A brand new trapper is young, motivated, helped create some marketing signage and volunteered to help transport. We gave her major kudos and food for the community cats. Its so important to cultivate these personal relationships as she is now a big supporter and is helping to get her entire mobile home community on board with our TNR efforts. 

    It truly takes a village to make TNR work.



    ------------------------------
    Paula Freehling
    volunteer
    Firelands Community Cat Coalition (FC3)
    OH
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 25.  RE: Community Conversations - 08/04/2025 - How Public-Private Partnerships Expand Access to Care

    Posted 08-07-2025 08:46 PM

    Tell us about a collaborative partnership you established (e.g., colleague or neighbor) that enabled you to reach a goal.

    I love this. So I partnered work a local animal shelter and we decided to have me attend on of their shot clinics to discuss grooming and answer questions related to pet care as it pertained to hygiene. It turned out to be the best thing we could've done. There was such good feedback and people felt comfortable talking to me . No judgement just understanding and educating them . It was awesome 



    ------------------------------
    Tonya Smith
    Founder
    LC'S Foundation
    Michigan
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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