What's even better than recruiting new foster caregivers? Retaining your experienced fosters so they can keep fostering pets!
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Dr. Laura Reese, Professor, Departments of Urban and Regional Planning, Global Urban Studies, and Political Science, Michigan State University, discussed the findings of her recent research on foster retention.
Webcast Description:
Foster volunteers are critical to the success of shelters and rescues and to the welfare of the animals in their care. Given the required investment in recruiting and training volunteers, it is critical that their experience is emotionally satisfying and encourages their continued participation. This presentation, based on surveys of over 900 foster volunteers, identifies the factors related to volunteer satisfaction and their intention to continue providing foster care. It examines the emotional needs of volunteers, the types of support that they would most like to see provided by their organizations, and the shelter and rescue practices that lead to greater satisfaction among foster care volunteers.
About Dr. Reese:
Dr. Laura Reese is Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University and is a research consultant at the College of Charleston. Her research focuses on issues of animal welfare policy and shelter management. She wrote the book, Strategies for Successful Animal Shelters, and has published numerous articles on local animal ordinances, dog bite risks, animal cruelty, compassion fatigue, animal foster programs, and animal shelter volunteer satisfaction. She is the president of Professional Animal Welfare Services which provides consulting services to animal shelters and rescues and founded The Un-Shelter a foster-based rescue in Michigan. Dr. Reese also volunteers in and provides foster care for local animal shelters in the Charleston, SC area.
#FosterPrograms
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Kelly Duer
Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist
Maddie's Fund
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