Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Homeless citizens and their animals

    Posted 01-03-2024 06:23 AM

    We are remodeling a large building for our new animal resource center and my city manager is wanting me to hold 4-8 kennels for our homeless population.

    Our homeless shelter is a few blocks away and they do not allow animals there while the people are getting a meal or whatever. Does anyone else do this for their citizens?? 

    I am starting to look into making a policy for this since there will be rules in place for them and most likely a contract too. (Like up times and drop off times)


    #LawsandPublicPolicy

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    Alyson Harms
    Animal Shelter Manager
    The Bullhead City Animal Shelter
    AZ
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  • 2.  RE: Homeless citizens and their animals

    Posted 01-04-2024 05:37 AM

    Alyson,

    Although it is not something we do, if you can't find another shelter who does this, I would look to shelters that also work with Domestic Violence Shelters to see how they structure.

    Kind Regards, 

    Christine Goldman

    Event Manager

    Humane Society Miami

    FL



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    Christine Goldman
    Event Manager
    Humane Society of GR Miami Dade County Society for
    FL
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  • 3.  RE: Homeless citizens and their animals

    Posted 01-04-2024 07:43 AM

    Great idea! Thank you



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    Alyson Harms
    Animal Shelter Manager
    The Bullhead City Animal Shelter
    AZ
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Homeless citizens and their animals

    Posted 01-04-2024 10:29 AM

    Hi Alyson,

    Kudos to your city manager for understanding this need!

    I would suggest you create flexible policies that can handle the unexpected and leave timelines loose--things seldom go as planned with this population because they are at the mercy of many people and policies beyond their control.  Work with the human shelter staff a bit to get a sense of what the population goes through and needs, long-term, for their companion animals.  Can you structure a contract with owners along the lines of a doggy day care, so they're not surrendering the animal to you?  Involve the owners in walking or play sessions at the shelter?  Or is that too  difficult for the dogs to handle?  Maybe you can recruit some local veterinarians to "adopt" these dogs and owners for pro bono care when they leave the shelter? Or if you don't provide a high level of vet care in the facility, maybe they would help there as well.  The human shelters should be partners with you.

    Good luck with this!



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