We were just discussing this yesterday in the HASS Government Communications Working Group. I'm hoping to have some more resources from there to get back and post here as well.
From a regional / national animal shelter overview perspective, the
Shelter Animals Count data reports provide good trend data for shelters and have things broken down by region to be more specific to your area.
There's also a number of infosheets on TNR programs, why they work, and why not putting cats back doesn't work. That tends to be an issue where cities can be very resistant so might be important to include.
We also talked about at HASS and are trying to find, there was apparently a report that looked at costs and outcomes from community-based animal services compared to the traditional animal pound model showing how community-based solutions are more cost effective. There was also a report talking about how allowing animals in a homeless shelter is less expensive than separating owners from pets and putting them in the shelter.
We're looking at building a shelter and public friendly tool for local governments in the HASS working group, so if anyone has any thoughts and ideas on pain points, questions you've received, arguments that have worked, or other data in this area, that would be helpful. Your online course sounds like a fascinating idea, I'd love to see what materials you come up with and learn how it was received by your municipal leaders.
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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2023 07:51 AM
From: Samantha Polen
Subject: Local Government Engagement
I am a part of a statewide initiative to improve the live release rate in our state. One of our strategies includes government engagement. We are considering an online course for the municipal leaders to take (with certification optional) that would allow them to better understand the state of animal welfare (locally, statewide and nationally), best practices for cities and shelters which manage the animal population, common terms used in the industry, among many other things.
My question is has anyone here created or introduced this type of tool in your city or community? We also would love to hear about what you do and how you inform your city leaders, even if it does not include a course like the one we are considering.
Thanks!
#CommunityPartnerships*
#EducationandTraining
#LawsandPublicPolicy
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Samantha Polen
Executive Director
T-Town TNR, Inc.
Tulsa OK
https://www.ttowntnr.com/
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