Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Smarter Systems for Stronger Support: September 2025 in Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection

    Posted 08-19-2025 10:17 AM

    In this webcast, Michelle Misra, Foster Program Manager, SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center, discusses how restructured their foster program over the past year to boost engagement, ease staff workload, and improve care for animals. 


    Templates and Materials from this Presentation:

    Presentation Power Point: https://bit.ly/SmarterSystemsPPT   
    SICSA’s Foster Manual: https://bit.ly/SICSAFosterManual  
    SICSA’s Foster Agreement: https://bit.ly/SICSAFosterAgreement  
    SICSA’s Foster Audit Templates: https://bit.ly/SICSAFosterAuditTemplates  
    Neonatal Nursery Attendant Responsibilities: https://bit.ly/NeonatalNursAttendantResp  
    Neonatal Nursery Participation Agreement: https://bit.ly/4p1XtVH  

    Neonatal Nursery Weekly Litter Tracker https://bit.ly/4mjyM4N 

    Neonatal Nursery Sign-In Sheet: https://bit.ly/4m04NhV


    Webcast Description:  

    Feeling overwhelmed by an unmanageable foster roster? Struggling to keep caregivers engaged or streamline onboarding? You're not alone-and there's a better way forward. 

    In this webinar, we'll explore how SICSA restructured its foster program over the past year to boost engagement, ease staff workload, and improve care for animals. Learn how they: 

    • Streamlined our foster roster through a full audit and re-engagement campaign 

    • Combined and modernized our dog and cat foster manuals 

    • Introduced specialized mentor roles to support caregivers across programs 

    • Launched a new, self-paced onboarding process with the help of Google automations and ChatGPT 

    • Piloted a bottle baby nursery for staff foster caregivers to grow neonatal capacity 

    • You'll walk away with actionable ideas you can tailor to your own organization-whether you're looking to overhaul your onboarding, clean up your database, or make fostering feel more accessible. This session is ideal for anyone ready to rethink old systems and build a stronger, scalable, sustainable foster program. 

     

     

    About Michelle Misra: 

    Michelle began her journey with SICSA in 2011 as an Adoption Counselor and has worn many hats throughout her tenure. In April 2024, she stepped into the role of Foster Program Manager, bringing with her a deep commitment to animal welfare and a passion for nurturing the next generation of caregivers.  

    A long-time foster caregiver herself, Michelle has welcomed countless kittens into her home over the years, and a few dogs with behavior quirks. Her favorite foster animals are bottle babies and behavior dogs, finding immense reward in helping neonates thrive and watching behaviorally challenged dogs gain confidence and maturity, like her late heart-dog.  

    Outside of work, Michelle enjoys playing D&D, hiking with her dogs, and competing in dock diving with her senior pittie, Ellie.   

     


    #FosterPrograms

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    Kelly Duer
    Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 2.  RE: Smarter Systems for Stronger Support: September 2025 in Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection

    Posted 08-30-2025 10:18 AM

    So excited to attend this! 



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    Daisy Navin
    Foster Programs Manager
    LifeLine Animal Project
    Atlanta GA
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  • 3.  RE: Smarter Systems for Stronger Support: September 2025 in Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection

    Posted 09-04-2025 12:58 PM

    Remaining questions from today's presentation:

    Tracy : What about weight scales for kittens?  Do you have a contact for supplies? 

      

    Pam: Do neonate nursery kittens go home with someone each night or do you have people signing up for bi hourly feedings? 

      

    Trell: Do you have  fosters have any form of training? 

      

    Scout: From a foster-based rescue-what percentage of your total animals in care are either currently in Foster or spend some amount of time in Foster care? 



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    Kelly Duer
    Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Smarter Systems for Stronger Support: September 2025 in Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection

    Posted 09-04-2025 02:58 PM
    1. Tracy : What about weight scales for kittens?  Do you have a contact for supplies?
      1. We use these! https://a.co/d/12EzRa0
      2. To learn more about partnering with Hill's Pet Food, I would recommend contacting a rep to see if your requirements align! 
        1. https://www.hillspet.com/food-shelter-love/my-shelter
    2. Pam: Do neonate nursery kittens go home with someone each night or do you have people signing up for bi hourly feedings?
      1. Nursery kittens return home with the staff member who is fostering them. The nursery is a daycare for the kittens while the staff member is working!
    3. Trell: Do you have  fosters have any form of training?
      1. With our onboarding system, everyone receives the same handling training and introduction training! Some Foster Caregivers will choose to deepen their knowledge, but everyone starts at the same level.
    4. Scout: From a foster-based rescue-what percentage of your total animals in care are either currently in Foster or spend some amount of time in Foster care? 
      1. During Kitten Season, 50-60% of our total animals are in foster homes. Right now (wave one kittens just left their homes), 42% of our population is in foster care.  


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    Michelle Misra
    Foster Manager
    SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center
    OH
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    Original Message


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