Animal Welfare Professionals

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hey all!

I work with an animal shelter in a rural region of the Southwest that is, quite frankly, known for its strays. We have had experience with dog fighting rings, people abandoning dogs in the woods, backyard breeders, and (as horrific as it is to write it) areas where the way some people deal with stray dogs is to shoot. We work with shelters and people in the town as much as we can, but the problems just keep getting worse, so we're trying to change it up. We want people to have a better understanding of animals and animal welfare. We want people to understand that breeding dogs is more than just "they'd make cute puppies, and I'd make money." We want people to understand the impact of buying a puppy out of the back of a car has on the dog itself. We also want people to understand how dogs learn because the whole "hurt them until they get it" is asinine and leads to a whole range of behavioral issues that are VERY difficult to fix, in some cases (also, it's just generally cruel and has been widely proven to be nonsense).

My question to you is how you get this information out there and get people to show up and listen? We were thinking of doing big classes on specific subjects, and then recording them and posting them online. This will educate some people, sure, but I'm concerned that it won't get to the people who actually need it. Has anyone had any luck with spreading this information and awareness through other means? Any events or ingenious ways to gradually improve animal welfare? We want to get to the root of the problem because solely focusing on dealing with the consequences is not working.

#CommunityPartnerships*
#EducationandTraining

I think that kids at schools should be the target. These kids will change things if they get they learn how to treat and respect animals,
The current generation, not so much.  Unless the kids can influence the parents 

That's how things changed with cigarettes 
They kept explaining how bad smoking is and the kids internalized it, went home and demand the parents to stop smoking or smoke outside 

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Tammy Fabian
Executive Director
Friends For Life Animal Rescue
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Excellent suggestion! Parents will usually listen to their kids as they want to foster a relationship of mutual respect. 

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Kate Sawyer
Treasurer
betterTogetherForever
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2023 07:05 PM
From: Tammy Fabian
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

I think that kids at schools should be the target. These kids will change things if they get they learn how to treat and respect animals,
The current generation, not so much.  Unless the kids can influence the parents 

That's how things changed with cigarettes 
They kept explaining how bad smoking is and the kids internalized it, went home and demand the parents to stop smoking or smoke outside 

------------------------------
Tammy Fabian
Executive Director
Friends For Life Animal Rescue
------------------------------

Hi, I completely understand your many concerns, and thank you so much for caring and wanting to raise awareness about doing the right thing.  Changing the culture is not easy but I think we should try to understand the culture first then slowly chip away at it.  I was visiting a shelter in Montana a few years ago and learned that every winter the shelter would gather dogs from nearby reservations, take them in, spay and neuter them, give them food and water, and shelter them until it is warm enough to release them back. It is a kind of TNR seen with cats. It is a band-aid solution for sure because, without this effort, the way the dog population is controlled is by shooting them just like you described. In some other countries, population control is done through poison. It is horrific, isn't it? But sometimes without resources, people do what they can.
Raising awareness is a big ticket. Social media is one way.  Targeting schools and kids are another way as Tammy suggested. I found that if we can reach through the kids sometimes they can reach back and educate their parents. Maybe organize a social event at a park and distribute the right information. This way interested people would show up. Sometimes you need a small number of people that you can recruit and have these people through word of mouth spread the awareness. 
I am in California. I have a small non-profit and my goal is to spread and raise awareness about animal welfare. Here is my website, if you think my programs resonate with your goal, get in touch with me. https://www.thelifeofkai.org  You can contact me via email:  connect@thelifeofkai.org
Hope this helps. Don't give up. Your heart is in the right place.

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Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
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Your page looks amazing!   The work with young kids is definitely key.  Train minds to have a much better attitude toward treating animals kindly and preventing overpopulation of them.

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Laura Coan
Volunteer
Novastar Rescue
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-01-2023 11:30 AM
From: Julielani Chang
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

Hi, I completely understand your many concerns, and thank you so much for caring and wanting to raise awareness about doing the right thing.  Changing the culture is not easy but I think we should try to understand the culture first then slowly chip away at it.  I was visiting a shelter in Montana a few years ago and learned that every winter the shelter would gather dogs from nearby reservations, take them in, spay and neuter them, give them food and water, and shelter them until it is warm enough to release them back. It is a kind of TNR seen with cats. It is a band-aid solution for sure because, without this effort, the way the dog population is controlled is by shooting them just like you described. In some other countries, population control is done through poison. It is horrific, isn't it? But sometimes without resources, people do what they can.
Raising awareness is a big ticket. Social media is one way.  Targeting schools and kids are another way as Tammy suggested. I found that if we can reach through the kids sometimes they can reach back and educate their parents. Maybe organize a social event at a park and distribute the right information. This way interested people would show up. Sometimes you need a small number of people that you can recruit and have these people through word of mouth spread the awareness. 
I am in California. I have a small non-profit and my goal is to spread and raise awareness about animal welfare. Here is my website, if you think my programs resonate with your goal, get in touch with me. https://www.thelifeofkai.org  You can contact me via email:  connect@thelifeofkai.org
Hope this helps. Don't give up. Your heart is in the right place.

------------------------------
Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
------------------------------

Thank you Laura for your kind words. Changes are glacially slow but I keep trying. Kids are more receptive than adults and they have a natural connection with animals which is very helpful; unfortunately, it changes as the kids grow older.  So targeting when they are young is key.

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Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-02-2023 05:20 AM
From: Laura Coan
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

Your page looks amazing!   The work with young kids is definitely key.  Train minds to have a much better attitude toward treating animals kindly and preventing overpopulation of them.

------------------------------
Laura Coan
Volunteer
Novastar Rescue
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-01-2023 11:30 AM
From: Julielani Chang
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

Hi, I completely understand your many concerns, and thank you so much for caring and wanting to raise awareness about doing the right thing.  Changing the culture is not easy but I think we should try to understand the culture first then slowly chip away at it.  I was visiting a shelter in Montana a few years ago and learned that every winter the shelter would gather dogs from nearby reservations, take them in, spay and neuter them, give them food and water, and shelter them until it is warm enough to release them back. It is a kind of TNR seen with cats. It is a band-aid solution for sure because, without this effort, the way the dog population is controlled is by shooting them just like you described. In some other countries, population control is done through poison. It is horrific, isn't it? But sometimes without resources, people do what they can.
Raising awareness is a big ticket. Social media is one way.  Targeting schools and kids are another way as Tammy suggested. I found that if we can reach through the kids sometimes they can reach back and educate their parents. Maybe organize a social event at a park and distribute the right information. This way interested people would show up. Sometimes you need a small number of people that you can recruit and have these people through word of mouth spread the awareness. 
I am in California. I have a small non-profit and my goal is to spread and raise awareness about animal welfare. Here is my website, if you think my programs resonate with your goal, get in touch with me. https://www.thelifeofkai.org  You can contact me via email:  connect@thelifeofkai.org
Hope this helps. Don't give up. Your heart is in the right place.

------------------------------
Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA

This is very challenging. We have a similar situation in our town. As someone who has been in education for thirty plus years--it is an important, though very limited space. We simply cannot say that the schools are going to change everything, and that starting young is going to work. It is unfortunately much more complicated than that. One thought is to consider focusing on strengths: of the shelter you work in,  of the community itself. Focus on highlighting the strong and good relationships that people have with their pets (obviously there are some in your community!). The negativity and the "we know better than you" doesn't help pets, because people tune you out. And focus on building relationships with organizations that serve humans (social service, non-profits, and businesses) My organization (Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette) has two signature events that focus on the positive relationships that people have with their pets. Presents for Pets focuses on providing low-income children and families an opportunity to choose a present for their pets for the holidays, make a card, and decorate a gift bag. The event is held at the local Habitat for Humanity Restore. Heart to Heart supports low-income seniors by delivering pet presents to their door for Valentine's Day. The teen program at a local library makes cards for the seniors. Each of these events provide opportunities for "feel good" human interest stories for news and social media: they attract people to our mission by building on the human-animal bond. Obviously change is slow. But didactic education is really a limited approach to change. Our website is linked if you want to take a look at pictures from the recent events! Nadine Dolby, Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette, animaladvocatesgl@gmail.comhttps://www.animaladvocatesgl.org/

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Nadine Dolby
Professor
Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette
------------------------------

I love those two events.   What a great way to include the kids and owners .  

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Dawn Roberts
Executive Director
Beesley Animal Foundation
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2023 08:39 AM
From: Nadine Dolby
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

This is very challenging. We have a similar situation in our town. As someone who has been in education for thirty plus years--it is an important, though very limited space. We simply cannot say that the schools are going to change everything, and that starting young is going to work. It is unfortunately much more complicated than that. One thought is to consider focusing on strengths: of the shelter you work in,  of the community itself. Focus on highlighting the strong and good relationships that people have with their pets (obviously there are some in your community!). The negativity and the "we know better than you" doesn't help pets, because people tune you out. And focus on building relationships with organizations that serve humans (social service, non-profits, and businesses) My organization (Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette) has two signature events that focus on the positive relationships that people have with their pets. Presents for Pets focuses on providing low-income children and families an opportunity to choose a present for their pets for the holidays, make a card, and decorate a gift bag. The event is held at the local Habitat for Humanity Restore. Heart to Heart supports low-income seniors by delivering pet presents to their door for Valentine's Day. The teen program at a local library makes cards for the seniors. Each of these events provide opportunities for "feel good" human interest stories for news and social media: they attract people to our mission by building on the human-animal bond. Obviously change is slow. But didactic education is really a limited approach to change. Our website is linked if you want to take a look at pictures from the recent events! Nadine Dolby, Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette, animaladvocatesgl@gmail.comhttps://www.animaladvocatesgl.org/

------------------------------
Nadine Dolby
Professor
Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette
------------------------------

Thank you for sharing ideas. Those events are terrific ideas and I love them. We can definitely add those events to our planned activity for humane education.  We want to incorporate service learning by having the kids make simple toys for shelter animals. 

------------------------------
Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2023 10:40 AM
From: Dawn Roberts
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

I love those two events.   What a great way to include the kids and owners .  

------------------------------
Dawn Roberts
Executive Director
Beesley Animal Foundation
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2023 08:39 AM
From: Nadine Dolby
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

This is very challenging. We have a similar situation in our town. As someone who has been in education for thirty plus years--it is an important, though very limited space. We simply cannot say that the schools are going to change everything, and that starting young is going to work. It is unfortunately much more complicated than that. One thought is to consider focusing on strengths: of the shelter you work in,  of the community itself. Focus on highlighting the strong and good relationships that people have with their pets (obviously there are some in your community!). The negativity and the "we know better than you" doesn't help pets, because people tune you out. And focus on building relationships with organizations that serve humans (social service, non-profits, and businesses) My organization (Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette) has two signature events that focus on the positive relationships that people have with their pets. Presents for Pets focuses on providing low-income children and families an opportunity to choose a present for their pets for the holidays, make a card, and decorate a gift bag. The event is held at the local Habitat for Humanity Restore. Heart to Heart supports low-income seniors by delivering pet presents to their door for Valentine's Day. The teen program at a local library makes cards for the seniors. Each of these events provide opportunities for "feel good" human interest stories for news and social media: they attract people to our mission by building on the human-animal bond. Obviously change is slow. But didactic education is really a limited approach to change. Our website is linked if you want to take a look at pictures from the recent events! Nadine Dolby, Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette, animaladvocatesgl@gmail.comhttps://www.animaladvocatesgl.org/

------------------------------
Nadine Dolby
Professor
Animal Advocates of Greater Lafayette

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

"how you get this information out there and get people to show up and listen?"

You can't. People are not going to show up and listen to something if they don't see anything wrong with what they are currently doing. And they aren't going to change if they don't have the resources and time to learn new things or pay for training or pay for vet care. It sounds like you need to start a community outreach program like Pets for Life and meet people where they are. Instead of approaching and trying to "educate" people, get to know them. See what people need, see what questions they have, let them know what resources are available, and offer as many free resources as you can. 

I'm not sure where you are but Pets for Life has several programs in the Southwest, and many in rural areas. If you are near one they may be able to help you out.

https://humanepro.org/programs/pets-for-life

As with any culture, you have to start young and work up.  I think of how we changed the culture of wearing seatbelts.  My grandsons were taught in school they had to wear a seatbelt. One day, when they got in my vehicle, they buckled their seatbelts when I started easing out of the garage. They immediately started hollering; the youngest had tears in his eyes, and he said Nanny, you are going to kill us; let me get my seat belt on..... I asked him where he heard that, his teacher..... 
I don't know about you, but I rode in the back of the truck, and my dad cut the seat belts out of the car...my generation had to have a law to make me change my behavior, but if we can educate early and continue into young adulthood, we change the culture. 

I also have found that working with the local sheriff's department has helped.  Encouraging them to help and being there when they have a question or need help.  It takes a village and, my guess, about 20 years. 

I have shut down a couple of backyard breeders, who had to face a judge, I hear they are telling people we don't play, and to my knowledge (and I check frequently), they do not have any dogs.  

But it can be done!

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Connie Ash
Director
Mended Paws Sanctuary
------------------------------

My old shelter (county facility in SWVA) does two things - educational trips for kids and events held at the facility that were not adoption events. We wanted to just get people in the door and make it a community gathering place instead of just a place to pick out an animal. It will take a long time for things to change, but these kids still have so much hope and want to do good in the world. Little kids would tell me all the time that they wanted to grow up and save the animals, even after telling me about their parents getting rid of pets or taking poor care of them. I would do tours for girl scout groups, schools, low-income after school programs, and special needs classes where we would talk about what animal control did, safety around a dog you don't know, etc in addition to looking at and petting select animals. 

We also held several events each year that were not based on trying to get people to adopt, we just wanted people to come visit. We got local musicians, food trucks, and other vendors to come to our parking lot. We had crafts, pictures with Santa, kitten playtime, petting zoos, working dog demonstrations, and other events that just got people wandering through. Our philosophy was that the more you can expose people to our world the more our message will spread without having to do formal classes or campaigns. 

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Marilyn Wheaton
Client Services
AnimalsFirst
------------------------------

Hi Marilyn,
I love what you do. Kids have a good heart toward animals. I often count on the kids to teach and change their parents' perspectives. There is an interesting study where kids and adults were given hypothetical situations to see how they would respond. There were two sinking boats, one full of dogs and one full of people. Well you guess which boat the kids want to save. However, as children grow older, especially in their teenage years, this affinity for animals disappears as they become more influenced by the adults around them. I agree that the change is slow but I would still work with kids. I love how your shelter is a place for the community to gather rather than just a place to house unwanted animals. Words matter. I think we should change "shelter" to "animal center." Keep up your great work! Thanks for sharing.

------------------------------
Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2023 05:09 AM
From: Marilyn Wheaton
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

My old shelter (county facility in SWVA) does two things - educational trips for kids and events held at the facility that were not adoption events. We wanted to just get people in the door and make it a community gathering place instead of just a place to pick out an animal. It will take a long time for things to change, but these kids still have so much hope and want to do good in the world. Little kids would tell me all the time that they wanted to grow up and save the animals, even after telling me about their parents getting rid of pets or taking poor care of them. I would do tours for girl scout groups, schools, low-income after school programs, and special needs classes where we would talk about what animal control did, safety around a dog you don't know, etc in addition to looking at and petting select animals. 

We also held several events each year that were not based on trying to get people to adopt, we just wanted people to come visit. We got local musicians, food trucks, and other vendors to come to our parking lot. We had crafts, pictures with Santa, kitten playtime, petting zoos, working dog demonstrations, and other events that just got people wandering through. Our philosophy was that the more you can expose people to our world the more our message will spread without having to do formal classes or campaigns. 

------------------------------
Marilyn Wheaton
Client Services
AnimalsFirst
------------------------------

So funny you should mention the wording - when we got our new building in 2017 we changed the name to the Animal Care and Adoption Center and encouraged staff and volunteers to call it the "Center" instead of  the "shelter". Our tag line was "Education, Adoption, Community." We really wanted to be part of the community as a whole! I do miss talking to the kids. It was such a nice change to be around such optimism and excitement. 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2023 08:07 AM
From: Julielani Chang
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

Hi Marilyn,
I love what you do. Kids have a good heart toward animals. I often count on the kids to teach and change their parents' perspectives. There is an interesting study where kids and adults were given hypothetical situations to see how they would respond. There were two sinking boats, one full of dogs and one full of people. Well you guess which boat the kids want to save. However, as children grow older, especially in their teenage years, this affinity for animals disappears as they become more influenced by the adults around them. I agree that the change is slow but I would still work with kids. I love how your shelter is a place for the community to gather rather than just a place to house unwanted animals. Words matter. I think we should change "shelter" to "animal center." Keep up your great work! Thanks for sharing.

------------------------------
Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2023 05:09 AM
From: Marilyn Wheaton
Subject: What's the most effective way to change the animal welfare culture in a town?

My old shelter (county facility in SWVA) does two things - educational trips for kids and events held at the facility that were not adoption events. We wanted to just get people in the door and make it a community gathering place instead of just a place to pick out an animal. It will take a long time for things to change, but these kids still have so much hope and want to do good in the world. Little kids would tell me all the time that they wanted to grow up and save the animals, even after telling me about their parents getting rid of pets or taking poor care of them. I would do tours for girl scout groups, schools, low-income after school programs, and special needs classes where we would talk about what animal control did, safety around a dog you don't know, etc in addition to looking at and petting select animals. 

We also held several events each year that were not based on trying to get people to adopt, we just wanted people to come visit. We got local musicians, food trucks, and other vendors to come to our parking lot. We had crafts, pictures with Santa, kitten playtime, petting zoos, working dog demonstrations, and other events that just got people wandering through. Our philosophy was that the more you can expose people to our world the more our message will spread without having to do formal classes or campaigns. 

------------------------------
Marilyn Wheaton
Client Services
AnimalsFirst

welfare culture in a town requires a multifaceted approach and involves addressing various issues related to animal welfare. Here are some effective ways to welfare culture in a town:

1. Education and Awareness: Education and awareness programs are crucial in welfare culture in a town. Community members need to be informed about animal welfare laws and and neutering, responsible pet ownership, and animal abuse prevention. Local organizations and shelters can hold workshops, seminars, and events to educate the public.

2. Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration and partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and government entities can help welfare culture in a town. Animal welfare groups can work with local officials and animal control agencies to develop and implement policies and programs to improve animal welfare in the community.

3. Spay and Neuter Programs: Spay and neuter programs are essential in and unwanted animals in the community. Local animal welfare organizations can work with veterinarians to provide affordable spay and neuter services to the community.

4. Animal Adoption Programs: Encouraging pet adoption from local animal shelters and rescue organizations animal welfare in a town. Local shelters can work with the community to promote pet adoption and educate people about

5. Enforcement of Animal Welfare Laws: Effective enforcement of animal welfare laws is necessary to cruelty and neglect are not tolerated in a town. Animal control agencies can work with local law enforcement to enforce animal welfare laws and prosecute offenders.

6. Volunteer Programs: Volunteers can play a vital role in improving animal welfare in a town. Local animal welfare organizations can create volunteer programs to help care, fostering, and adoption events.

Overall, welfare culture in a town effort from individuals, organizations, and government entities. By working together, it is possible to create a more compassionate and responsible community .

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Salena Roy

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