Animal Welfare Professionals

We are a niche cat sanctuary, saving and providing a safe haven for cats with special needs and senior hospice cases. Many cats who are taken to shelters, humane societies, or emergency clinics are euthanized due to a medical condition or injuries and we are unable to intercept. (Our single and largest county shelter does not accept cats, which is probably the biggest issue.) We are a part of rescue partnership programs with a shelter in a neighboring county and the humane society, but would like to do more. Do you have any advice on how we can raise awareness and connect with these establishments/ public so that we can potentially save lives? Thank you so much in advance. 

#CommunityCatManagement

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Sheena Yamazaki
Director
Suncatcher Sanctuary
AZ
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Do you have information flyers/posters you can leave with vet clinics and other shelters?  What social media do you use - do you promote yourselves as an intake option that way to the public? We have good awareness with the vets and other rescue organisations in our wider area but that took some time to build up.

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Bettina Vine
Animal Health Director
The Kitten Connection
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Thank you so much for your response. These are all great questions! We heavily rely on social media for marketing and promoting our organization. Where we lack in is probably asking more vet clinics to support us through flyers/ word of mouth. We will focus on creating more rapport with local veterinary hospitals!

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Sheena Yamazaki
Director
Suncatcher Sanctuary
AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2024 02:48 AM
From: Bettina Vine
Subject: Niche Sanctuary- How do we break into our community to help more cats?

Do you have information flyers/posters you can leave with vet clinics and other shelters?  What social media do you use - do you promote yourselves as an intake option that way to the public? We have good awareness with the vets and other rescue organisations in our wider area but that took some time to build up.

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Bettina Vine
Animal Health Director
The Kitten Connection
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Definitely talk to the clinics and hospitals and build that! It is very rewarding when the relationships develop and they ask you to take in kittens and cats who really need your help. I got to that point last year after a couple of years and it felt like a giant step.

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Bettina Vine
Animal Health Director
The Kitten Connection
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2024 04:25 PM
From: Sheena Yamazaki
Subject: Niche Sanctuary- How do we break into our community to help more cats?

Thank you so much for your response. These are all great questions! We heavily rely on social media for marketing and promoting our organization. Where we lack in is probably asking more vet clinics to support us through flyers/ word of mouth. We will focus on creating more rapport with local veterinary hospitals!

------------------------------
Sheena Yamazaki
Director
Suncatcher Sanctuary
AZ
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2024 02:48 AM
From: Bettina Vine
Subject: Niche Sanctuary- How do we break into our community to help more cats?

Do you have information flyers/posters you can leave with vet clinics and other shelters?  What social media do you use - do you promote yourselves as an intake option that way to the public? We have good awareness with the vets and other rescue organisations in our wider area but that took some time to build up.

------------------------------
Bettina Vine
Animal Health Director
The Kitten Connection

Thank you so much for your response. These are all great questions! We heavily rely on social media for marketing and promoting our organization. Where we lack in is probably asking more vet clinics to support us through flyers/ word of mouth. We will focus on creating more rapport with local veterinary hospitals!

------------------------------
Sheena Yamazaki
Director
Suncatcher Sanctuary
AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2024 02:48 AM
From: Bettina Vine
Subject: Niche Sanctuary- How do we break into our community to help more cats?

Do you have information flyers/posters you can leave with vet clinics and other shelters?  What social media do you use - do you promote yourselves as an intake option that way to the public? We have good awareness with the vets and other rescue organisations in our wider area but that took some time to build up.

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Bettina Vine
Animal Health Director
The Kitten Connection
------------------------------

I agree that connecting with veterinarians is going to be key.   Aligning yourself with clinics will give you an "in" when they have tough cases, especially those where the pet's family can't pursue care.  To promote your organization's reputation ask the veterinarians that you use to provide testimonials on the good work you do.  

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Joy Smith
Executive Director
FieldHaven Feline Center
Lincoln CA
9163008166
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Thank you so much, Joy! I will begin emailing some local veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics. I never thought about testimonials and can see how that is a very important factor to building a good reputation. I appreciate the tips!

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Sheena Yamazaki
Director
Suncatcher Sanctuary
AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2024 10:31 PM
From: Joy Smith
Subject: Niche Sanctuary- How do we break into our community to help more cats?

I agree that connecting with veterinarians is going to be key.   Aligning yourself with clinics will give you an "in" when they have tough cases, especially those where the pet's family can't pursue care.  To promote your organization's reputation ask the veterinarians that you use to provide testimonials on the good work you do.  

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Joy Smith
Executive Director
FieldHaven Feline Center
Lincoln CA
9163008166
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I would try to sit down with some of the local shelters or email them a few times. I get contacts like this sometimes but am overwhelmed so lose track of it because I am not in need of that help at the moment. Next time I am in need of that type of help, I vaguely remember someone had mentioned being able to help with those type of situations but then cannot remember who it was. I know, poor record keeping, but we are often pulled in multiple directions-as are you.

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Cheryl Koenig
Volunteer Executive Director
Sullivan County Humane Society
NH
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Thank you so much, Cheryl. I have been discouraged with the lack of responses, but also understand that running an animal care facility is a fast-paced, often times incredibly chaotic environment. I will continue to follow up with them and see if that goes anywhere. Thanks again for your insight!

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Sheena Yamazaki
Director
Suncatcher Sanctuary
AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2024 06:29 PM
From: Cheryl Koenig
Subject: Niche Sanctuary- How do we break into our community to help more cats?

I would try to sit down with some of the local shelters or email them a few times. I get contacts like this sometimes but am overwhelmed so lose track of it because I am not in need of that help at the moment. Next time I am in need of that type of help, I vaguely remember someone had mentioned being able to help with those type of situations but then cannot remember who it was. I know, poor record keeping, but we are often pulled in multiple directions-as are you.

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Cheryl Koenig
Volunteer Executive Director
Sullivan County Humane Society
NH
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I would also follow-up with some of the community rescues who do email and social media intake.  Again, handing out flyers to Vets, Shelters and emailing to other rescues is going to help you as not everyone uses social media.  We have found at our rescue, social media engagement does not coincide with an increase is visitors to the rescue storefront.  So, make sure other options for notification to the public and those who may need your services are used.  Another example is the largest Shelter in Nashville, sends out a list of cats available to rescues.  I have a senior I pulled off that list who was considered Hospice.  His owner had passed, he was emaciated and severely matted.  I took him home vs to our rescue and 5 yrs later, he is still kicking at 20.  Turns out he had been neglected by his owner, probably due to the owner's poor health, and simply needed a shave and TLC.  Perhaps look into such programs at the larger shelters within a reasonable distance.  We have a Senior room at our Catio rescue. which is rare.  

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Cynthia Williams
Board Member
CATIO CAT LOUNGE INC
TN
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I would introduce yourself to some of the other rescues in town who are overwhelmed with cats and maybe have them help with Transfers of cats or have them intake some of the type of cats you take and then transfer to your organization. It is really great when rescues can help each other.

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Sunny Levine
President
Sunny day rescue
GA
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