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Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

  • 1.  Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-15-2024 01:34 PM

    Updated 8/19/24 at 2:20pm - Recording now available to watch on-demand!

    We hope to see you on the next Community Conversations call on Monday, 8/19/24 at 11am PT for a presentation titled, "Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming" with Matt Pepper, President and CEO of Michigan Humane Society. 

    Often the difference between an animal entering our shelter and a family having to surrender their beloved pet is a single moment in time. Families are better together. Meeting people where they are and listening to their challenges can help identify opportunities to support the community much more effectively. Matt Pepper will discuss how Michigan Humane is helping people navigate these challenges, at both ends of the leash, in the community towards keeping families together.

    Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

    As always, this discussion thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete the new August 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-aug24-giveaway.htm


    #AccesstoCare
    #CommunityPartnerships*
    #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)
    #PetSupportServices*

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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 2.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:20 PM
      |   view attached

    Thanks to the 153+ 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
      • @Geraldine D'Silva, Humane and Animal Wellbeing Consultant
      • @Miguel Ruelas, Director, Community Animal Care, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE)

    • Question of the Day: What does safety net programming mean to you?
      • "Providing services to keep pets and owners together- boarding, food, supplies, veterinary care" - Linda Rubin
      • "Compassionate support w/o judgment" - Chris Fitzgerald
      • "Kirsten from Bartholomew Co. Humane here!  I believe safety net programs are those designed to help our community before they face the decision of surrendering their pet.  Food pantry, s/n assistance, low-cost vaccine clinics, etc." - Kirsten Vantwoud
      • "Maintaining the human animal bond." - Gayle Bair
      • "Critical support for the community without judgement, keeping pets with families" - Kate Marshall
      • "Feeling secure that your pet will stay with you if you need help to make that happen." - Rita Ortiz
      • "Respect - for animals, volunteers, community, staff - for each other - don't assume you know what the other person is dealing with" - Elaine Edington
      • "Working collaboratively with pet owners to develop a plan tailored to their needs. By understanding and addressing individual circumstances surrounding housing, medical, and essential resources of pet ownership." - Shonyae Johnson
      • "Also, upstream support such as lost pet reunification and supported self-rehoming plus TNVR and RTF." - Chris Fitzgerald

    • National Updates
    • Presentation:  Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming
    • Highlights from the Chat
      • "We provide respite care for animals I time of human crises. We foster for up to 60 days while people get the help they need. This keeps animals out of shelters and reunites the pets and their owners after treatment, transitional housing and escaping domestic violence. Our biggest hurdle is finding foster families." - Terri Shilliam-Hansen
      • "This IS the way to tell the story!!" - Tammy Anckner
      • "The depression that would set in without our pets is for real" - Anita Selby
      • "Such a powerful story." - Geraldine D'Silva 
      • "AH MAZING" - Connie Kile
      • "Who do you buy the food from?  How do you fund that?" - Judy Perman
      • "It's so hard to hear these stories.  I just got off the phone with an 88-year-old woman who can't feed herself or her 11-year-old dog.  I got her some help - but so sad." - Kristy Wilkins
      • "We struggle to receive responses to our post vaccine/food distribution surveys - what steps have you put in place to receive responses?" - Connie Kile
      • "So glad you get this family some help. You did your best in that moment." - Geraldine D'Silva
      • "I am a volunteer with Chad's Promise.  Chad's Promise provides a safety net for dogs of veterans, including service dogs in central Florida. Many veterans will forego health care because they don't have resources for their dog while they are institutionalized.  Chad's Promise provides free of charge boarding and vet care for dogs of veterans while hospitalized so they do not have to surrender their dogs to animal services/shelter.  We have built relationships with social workers at VA hospitals and as needed pick up dogs right at the hospital to help these veterans. When funds permit and there is need we send home extra food and meds as well." - Kristi Herritz
      • "This is incredible, Kristi! Thank you for volunteering!" - Geraldine D'Silva
      • "Do you have data related to the human medical piece (demonstrating they're skipping care for themselves) or do you plan to share that in the future?" - Kristin Jankowski
      • "I didn't realize just how much this presentation would resonate!" - Kristi Herritz 
      • "On the average what is the duration of your safety net fostering? How many pets get surrendered and how many returned to the guardians? I apologize if I did not catch this if you mentioned already." - julielani chang
      • "Thank you - I hate to see our seniors suffering" - Kristy Wilkins
      • "What does the $684 for retention consist of?" - Lexis Ly
      • "Whoa, fascinating slide! Thank you for sharing this data." - Irene Chansawang
      • "So interesting that the events category did not change from 2020-2022 but major gifts and estates significant increase. Can you elaborate more in those two categories?  Thanks" - julielani chang
      • "This all is so important for our pets and for the people we serve.  What a way to see the importance of having a pet in the home - a win for all." - Beth Porter, Matchdog Rescue
      • "Kudos, yes--inspirational.  Thank you!" - Kirsten Vantwoud
      • "This has been the most valuable session I have attended. This has opened a whole new path for me to think about." - Elaine Edington
      • "Wow... thank you so much for your presentation!!!!" - Mary Flores
      • "I thought the exact same thing -- events not changing and annual fund barely changing were so interesting, and in line with current trends!" - Amanda Coburn
      • "I provide free behavior services to pets of the unhoused and so many told me it is their pet that help them to become and stay clean!" - julielani chang
      • "Amazing presentation on a very important topic!" - Alexis Svehla
      • "Great ideas." - janette martin
      • "How do we group the services that people need? Maybe by needs? Food, spay/neuter, other routine medical, acute medical?" - Amanda Brooks
      • "Thank you for this information - very inspiring!" - Angela Di Martino
      • "Excellent presentation!  Absolutely love the integration of people/pet services at the community level.  When I worked with the Georgia Dept of Labor, I frequently asked about pets the people had and provided info on pet food "food banks."" - Debra Devries
      • "Thank you for this webinar highlighting the importance of keeping People and Pets Together." - julielani chang
      • "Thank you. Excellent presentation." - Claire Walton
      • "Go Green! Thank you, Matthew" - Brenda Trainor
      • "Thank you!! Great presentation!!" - Shonyae Johnson



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


  • 3.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:34 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat:

    "Does Michigan Humane Society have on staff vets and vet techs?" - Anita Selby



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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 08:10 PM

    Hi Anita. Yes. We have around 17-18 vets on staff now that work in our three veterinary centers and our two shelters. We are short 5 I think. 



    ------------------------------
    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:34 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat:

    "Do you have data related to the human medical piece (demonstrating they're skipping care for themselves) or do you plan to share that in the future?" - Kristin Jankowski



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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 08:10 PM

    A lot of that comes from our own surveys but there is data out there. For example, the 50-70% of people feeding their food to their pets came from a survey we ran of human food pantry clients in Detroit. 



    ------------------------------
    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:35 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat:

    "On the average what is the duration of your safety net fostering? How many pets get surrendered and how many returned to the guardians? " - @Julielani Chang



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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 08:11 PM

    This is one of our challenges in recruiting safety net foster homes. While it could be a couple weeks, it is more regularly 60-90 days or so. The length of commitment is an issue we are working to overcome towards recruiting more safety net foster homes. This year we've had 51 animals through the program but have had more than 100 requests come into our call center that we can't address due to lack of foster homes. 



    ------------------------------
    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 11:28 PM

    Hi Matt,

    Thank you for an inspiring webinar today. Regarding the challenge, it sounds like most people would foster for a couple of weeks, and fewer are willing for 60-90 days. Have you thought about team fostering? 



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    Julielani Chang
    The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
    Davis CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-20-2024 04:25 AM

    We have but not with a lot of success. It is a great thought and one worth exploring more though. Thank you! 



    ------------------------------
    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-26-2024 03:24 PM

    Hi Matt, 

    Forgive me if I missed this info during the presentation, but is your Safety Net program exclusively foster based? Or do you ever keep these animals within the shelter as well?

    Thanks!

    Amber



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    Amber Kostoff
    Executive Director
    Humane Society of Central Oregon
    OR
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-27-2024 05:28 AM

    Hi Amber,

    Great question, and, yes, we do have a few that we keep at the shelter. Depending on the situation and the immediate need. A majority are foster-based but I would venture to say at least 10-15% are out of the shelter, if not always the whole time at least some of the time. Many times, we intake them first while lining up a home and get the shots out of the way. That could be a couple days. I hope this helps. Happy to exapnd if you woud like. 


    Matt



    ------------------------------
    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-27-2024 11:12 AM

    That's very helpful info and totally makes sense.

    Another few questions (if you are game!):

    • What kind of agreement do you sign with a pet owner regarding the services you will provide? Is there language that covers what will happen if at some point during the hold they become unable to take the animal back? 
    • Do you ever work directly with organizations that offer human services (shelters (human), hospitals, mental health facilities, etc) to offer care for pets while their humans are going through a program/treatment? 

    Thank you so much for your insight!

    Amber



    ------------------------------
    Amber Kostoff
    Executive Director
    Humane Society of Central Oregon
    OR
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    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:36 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat:

    "What does the $684 for retention consist of?" - @Lexis Ly



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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 08:11 PM

    We are blessed with a very good CFO and an equally good finance team as a whole. That number represents the average cost of care for a person in the community needing the totality of our services; pet food, medical care, other resources. The average of that is about 680. The other number, the roughly 1200, is the cost of animal, in essence, just walking in the door and being out in the shelter. That's total cost sharing including direct costs but also admin, utilities, etc. 



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    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:37 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat:

    "So interesting that the events category did not change from 2020-2022 but major gifts and estates significant increase. Can you elaborate more in those two categories? Thanks" - @Julielani Chang



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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 08:11 PM

    We have a planned gift officer and put a lot of work into estates but that is sometimes taking. The major gift line is investing more in cultivation and the message. We are hiring another major gift officer which will give us three and the message around human health and safety, developing collaborative partnership with other health and human service organizations - speaking to our impact on "bigger issues" (perceived or real) has unlocked new dollars from major donors who want big ideas. Same with corporations and foundations. Taking about our impact on the human condition has opened a lot of doors. 



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    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-19-2024 04:38 PM

    Unanswered question from the chat:

    "How do we group the services that people need? Maybe by needs? Food, spay/neuter, other routine medical, acute medical?" - Amanda Brooks



    ------------------------------
    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Community Conversations - 8/19/2024 - Keep Families & Pets Together with Safety Net Programming

    Posted 08-20-2024 06:19 AM

    This is a great question. We use data from Michigan 2-1-1 which can tell us the most requested services through their database. For example, in Detroit, the most requested services are housing, food, and utilities assistance. 



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    Matt Pepper
    President/CEO
    Michigan Humane
    MI
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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