Thanks to the 230+ people who joined us live for today's call!
The recording is now available to watch on-demand and to share with other members of your team:
https://youtu.be/fQO_Du0n2H4Below you will find a recap of the call including national updates, resources and attached is a copy of
@Jennifer Toussaint (she/her)'s incredible presentation. Don't forget to enter to win a grant for the month of October each time you attend or watch on-demand by completing this entry form:
https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-oct22-giveaway.htmAgenda
- Welcome: Shannon Roebuck, Director for Strategic Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement https://theaawa.org/ and Charlotte Otero, Community Strategist, Maddie's Fund
- Special guest Jennifer Touissant, Chief Animal Control Officer, Animal Welfare League of Arlington https://www.awla.org/person/jennifer-toussaint-2/
- Question of the Day: What's something on your desk, a nearby wall, or out the window that cheers you up during the day?
- Congratulations to the September Winners of the Maddie's Fund Monthly Grants: 2 Winners of $5,000!
- No call next week 10/10 for Indigenous People's Day – watch a rebroadcast of the August 22 meeting Animal Wellness Programs on Tribal Lands with Glenda S. Davis, Founder & President, Animal Rez-Q Inc., and Sheila K. Iyengar - Founder and Executive Director, Nagi Foundation. A link to the recording will be sent via email to all who are registered on this call.
National Updates
Session Information & Resources
Highlights From the Chat
- "This is a really incredible and valuable presentation that I'm going to ask my entire team to watch on demand" - Emily Klehm
- "Jennifer, You are exceptionally well trained and cross trained to serve humans and animals well. Kudos to you and good for Arlington. Wow!" - Lisa Pearce
- Ellen Rawlins asked during the call how others handle hoarding cases and if they allow the hoarder to keep one or more of their pets. Responses from the chat:
- "Very much depends on the situation. It's all about following up with hoarders to ensure they continue to succeed" - Ashley Rodriguez
- "We moved to a place where we would negotiate which pets they wanted to keep and then ensure those remaining were spayed/neutered." - Kathy Duncan
- "Pima County Arizona - regularly cooperates with hoarders and may leave a handful of pets as part of the agreement" - Sarah Aguilar
- "We have asked the judge to let them keep 1-2 animals and give us access to do wellness checks on those animals. So, keeping 1-2 gets us in the door for rechecks and make sure they are not collecting again" - T Fischer
- "In Massachusetts, these situations I have been involved with we have allowed up to 4 cats and 1-2 dogs of course sterilized. The pet owners have become our best advocates for the non-profit.... Again it is best to keep a relationship going- I used to bring pet food and provide vet support for the pets too. I have found the exhausting part is that sometimes the services for the person are lacking and that is hard on the animal welfare staff." - Stacey LeBaron
- "At both of the shelters I've worked at, most always let the animal owner keep one or more animals." - Phil Zimmerman
- "We will often let them keep a few but we will spay/neuter them so that we can prevent the issue from happening again" - Ryane Cox
- "ditto -- allowing them to keep an animal can help them heal; can be a reason for reminding them to keep up the progress..gives a chance to recheck.." - Nancy McKenney
- "I would like to acknowledge the animal rescue efforts currently occurring in the southeast region of the US due to Hurricane Ian. So many animal rescue groups, organizations, and individuals who are working hard to help those animals in need." - Sandi Hengle
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Charlotte Otero
Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
she/her
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