Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

We require them for all staff and for volunteers who work with dogs and they are really helpful.

They facilitate staff communication (e.g. front desk calling back to kennels to let them know we have an intake, or paging the cat care team to come assist with an adoption) and are also vital for safety. We're surrounded by woodlands where our volunteers and staff walk dogs and walkie talkies are essential for calling for help if there's a loose dog or other situation. We use Retevis brand and have been very happy with them. 

------------------------------
Simon Smith
Project Manager
Mendocino Coast Humane Society
CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

Hello! We use them for mostly two reasons:  we have a separate building with dogs, so it allows the Matchmakers to be able to communicate in case we get busy and someone needs front desk help - 

We also have a dog trail through some woods, so all dog walkers are required to bring one with them for just-in-cases. And it has been useful, indeed!!!!

If your facility is big enough that someone is out of hearing range, I'd say it's a great investment!

-Monica

The NOAH Center

Stanwood, WA

www.thenoahcenter.org

------------------------------
Monica Lowe
Development Support Specialist/Matchmaker
NORTHWEST ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL HELP
WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

Good Evening! 

Recently, I moved and had to change veterinarians. They use them within their office. i thought it presented very professionally and allowed for the staff to continue to execute their duties and care without concern for location. It was pretty fantastic. I think it also makes them feel a little like secret service of the animal world. I would highly recommend it. Additionally, it allows for ease of communication not inhibited by much with exception of metal buildings. They will tend to act like radio frequency inhibitors. I would just be aware, if they are not working. It could be the location of who you are trying to reach. 

Hope you have an awesome evening. 

Jamie Ayinde

Belly Rub Ambassador

Northern Alabama Animal Warriors

AL

------------------------------
Jamie Ayinde
System Engineer
Northern Alabama Animal Warrior
AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

Hey! 

I've been at my current facility a little over 10 years and we've been using them since before I started. They are an amazing asset! We have a shelter channel that all shelter within the staff communicate on, a field channel for our officers to communicate on as well as PD dispatch. We have a panic button we can use in the case of an emergency as well. Over all they are essential to our operations now. Front desk will radio kennel when there is someone in the lobby who wants to visit with an animal. Kennel uses it to communicate if a kennel is open, a pod has been walked or when volunteers arrive. It's also been handy for whenever a dog gets loose and we can radio loose dog, or more importantly when dog fights are happening and we need immediate assistance. They have come in handy when someone is in an unsafe situation whether with a dog or a citizen. 

Can't say enough great things about these tools for our job!

We use Motorola brand but outside of that I don't know much else about them LOL but I can find out if you'd like :)

Angellee Vincent
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Grand Prairie Animal Services
Grand Prairie, TX
www.gptx.org/paws

------------------------------
Angellee Vincent
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Grand Prairie Animal Services
Grand Prairie, TX
www.gptx.org/paws
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

We use walkie-talkies across several teams including the Canine Team, Clinic, Guest Services (intake and front desk), and Foster. We get the cheaper ones that you can get on Amazon - like 12 walkies for $100. They aren't the most stellar pieces of machinery but they aren't a huge fiasco to replace if they drop on the ground or a dog chomps one. We communicate our movements throughout the campus if we have dogs with us, we have volunteers use them to quickly get in contact with the Canine Team, and we use them for safety.

Our protocol is to say, "NAME to DEPARTMENT, _________________." For instance, "Intake to Canine, we have a stray dog here, could someone come grab him?" Or "Front Desk to Foster, Nala and Simba are here for their boosters at the Clinic Lobby." 

We also announce where we are going and via what path if we are preparing to move a dog. For instance, "Olivia to Canine, I'll be taking Buddy from Holding Yard 1 through the Lower Hallway back to his kennel." If there is someone or something in our path, someone would respond and say, "Olivia hold on, Kim is walking through with Coconut.....OK, Olivia you're all clear."

They are not super expensive and they are invaluable for communication and safety. We've had them about 6 years now and I don't know how we ever did without.

------------------------------
Olivia Whitton
Canine Manager
Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
ME
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

I know this might sound strange, but we use Whatsapp and have different groups, for example if we need someone to take a pet to an offsite event or doctor's appt.  that would go into our "transportation" group. If there is an issue with an intake or if there is a need for intake help then that request goes to that group, ect.  Then we have an all-staff group for a code leash or just overall comments and then a group for just adoptions called "Happy Tails".   I was skeptical when I first came to work here but it really does work well.  

------------------------------
Christine Goldman
Event Manager
Humane Society of GR Miami Dade County Society for
FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

I'm at a large shelter with over 60,000sf so radios are a necessity for us. Most departments use them all day long as it would take forever to walk across the building to locate someone. I can't imagine not using radios!

We've used many models but our most recent upgrade is Motorola DLR1060. They weren't inexpensive, but most of our building is concrete so we needed radios with strong signals. Our previous model was DEWALT DXFRS800 and they were a little cheaper and worked pretty well. 

I attached our radio etiquette guidelines. 

------------------------------
Ami Manivong
Feline Population Coordinator
Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
www.hsppr.org
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

We use walkie talkies in our emergency shelters for safety purposes. Dogs, cats and other household pets are housed in separate rooms with a volunteer in each room.  We schedule regular check in times to make sure all is well with the pets and volunteers.  Also used when taking a dog out for a walk and reporting in when the volunteer has returned.  As others have stated volunteers may be out walking a dog alone and may need assistance or a volunteer may need help with a pet in another room.  Walkie talkies have been very useful for our organization and are inexpensive. They are a good investment, you won't regret purchasing them.

Carol Vogel

Animal Disaster Services

Event Coordinator/Board Member

------------------------------
Carol Vogel
Event Coordinator
Animal Disaster Services
AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

We used walkie-talkies once we moved to a new, larger shelter. It was incredibly helpful to find each other in a large facility, and even saved me from grave injury once when I was attacked by a dog while alone in his kennel. 

Each staff member had a designated walkie-talkie with their initials on it and was required to have it on them at all times while at the facility. If we were talking to a potential adopter, etc, we would turn the volume down/off so it wasn't distracting. 

I do not remember the specific brand, but I can certainly look it up! They were very simple, not a lot of fancy features or buttons. Highly, highly recommend. 

------------------------------
Marilyn Wheaton
Client Services
AnimalsFirst
Leesburg VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------

We use them here at the Nebraska Humane Society! A few months ago we just got new to us radios with different channels for each department which has been really nice. We use motorolla walkies. The main rule we have for radios is to make sure to always close the communication loop so that the person you are communicating with knows that you heard them.

------------------------------
Laurel Nelson
Cat Welfare Supervisor
Nebraska Humane Society
NE
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2024 10:35 AM
From: Shelby Roquemore
Subject: Walkie Talkies / Two-way Radios for use in clinic or shelter setting

Hi there!

We are looking at implementing the use of two-way radios or walkie talkies for our rescue center which consists of a clinic and boarding facility.  

• Do any other groups use radios? How does it work for you? Worth the money investment for efficiency? 
• Any policies you can share as far as staff use? 
• Also looking for recommendations as to what brand and model you have that works well.

Thanks in advance for any input! 

#DataandTechnology
#OrganizationalManagement

------------------------------
Shelby Roquemore
Special Projects
Rescued Pets Movement
TX
------------------------------