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Thank you for providing those links, Karen! I did the training with F4R almost 2 years ago now. It has made a big difference at our rescue for our kittens. All the resources CAT provided made it easy to adapt it to our rescue. We are a small org with a few staff, so implementing it is taking time, but one step at a time! ------------------------------ Michelle Flowers Foster Program Manager Seattle Area Feline Rescue UW-AAB ------------------------------ View Discussion

We loved putting it together! Glad you enjoyed it! ------------------------------ Laurie Lawless Shelter Behavior Consultant Shelter Behavior Integrations VT ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for such great info! ------------------------------ Sheila Iyengar Nagi Foundation ------------------------------ View Discussion

We us the Smart Weigh baby scales. They are $41 but seem to last a long time! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IC7P3GS?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1 ------------------------------ Andy Lawless Foster Program Coordinator Denver Animal Protection CO ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Daniel, Not sure where my response went so sending again-LOL. Thank you for your kind words and welcome to Community Conversations! ------------------------------ Sara Pizano ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for your kind words, Daniel, and welcome to Community Conversations! ------------------------------ Sara Pizano ------------------------------ View Discussion

We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for "How We Did It," a conversation with @Ruby Fooks . Shelter Director for Friends of Butler County Animals . Ruby Fooks recognized that animals needed help in her community so as part of the non-profit Friends of Butler County Animals in a rural, underserved part of Kentucky, they took over the county shelter. But she knew there needed to be subsidized access to spay/neuter as a long term solution so set out to raise money to build a clinic, which she did in record time. In the first year, 10,000 animals were spayed or neutered from 76 counties in 6 states! How did she do it? Join us to find out! 🔑 Key Takeaways: Small shelters and communities can still make things happen. Think outside the box Don't be afraid to fail. Keep trying. Don't forget! Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly giveaway drawing entry form . Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom . 🧠 Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions? We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread . #EducationandTraining ... View Discussion

We feel the pinch in the summer too! We're in a college town, and many of our volunteers are students who head home when school is out. It sounds like you have great communication with your volunteers. Thanks for detailing how your volunteers evaluate the program-that sounds like something we should consider implementing as well! ------------------------------ Ellen Pearsall Volunteer Mentor Orange County Animal Services NC ------------------------------ View Discussion

We recently had an adopter return a cat because she claimed not to have known that the cat needed daily meds. We are usually good about sharing this information, but recently we have been short staffed and I find communication is suffering. How do you make sure that important information is related to the potential adopter before they "sign on the line"? We don't like sharing too much medical info in social media promotions, because it can discourage people from coming in. But once they are in our facility, we need a better way to make sure that people understand the specific care needs of pets. QR code? Long list of instructions on the cage door? Handout given to them with the printed adoption application? What works for you? #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms ------------------------------ Johanna Humbert Michiana Humane Society Michigan City IN ------------------------------ View Discussion

I want to share something that didn't sit right with me, and I'm hoping some of you can tell me whether it's common or whether I just caught one shelter on a bad day. A while back my partner and I went in looking for one dog. Just one. We were nervous first-timers and figured one was plenty. The volunteer pointed us toward a quiet lab mix named Biscuit. Sweet boy, leaned right into us. We were sold. We started filling out the paperwork. And then, almost as an afterthought, someone mentioned he had a brother. Not on the listing. Not on his kennel card. Nothing in the photos. Just a verbal "oh, by the way, he came in with another one, but we list them separately so they have a better chance." That line stuck with me. *So they have a better chance.* The shelter had quietly decided their odds were better as singles, so they were actively presenting them apart and hoping nobody asked. We asked to meet the brother. The second they were back in the same room, Biscuit changed completely - looser, goofier, more himself. The other dog, Marble, had been labeled "shy" on his own card. Turns out he wasn't shy. He was just lost without Biscuit. We took them both. Best accident of our lives. But here's what I can't shake. If we'd shown up a day earlier, or if that one volunteer hadn't mentioned the brother, Biscuit goes home with us and Marble stays behind, suddenly a "shy" dog with no obvious reason for it. His ... View Discussion

This was my first live call and I thought she was amazing. It was very real and entertaining. Great job! Daniel Kaye, Roxy Therapy Dogs ------------------------------ Daniel Kaye grant writer Roxy Therapy Dogs PA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi @Ellen Pearsall , Thank you. We are fortunate that we have a few that will consistently drive so far to volunteer, but not nearly as many as we need. We have 188 animals amongst 27 different species currently living at the sanctuary. During the summer, like now, we only have help three, sometimes four, days a week because many of our regular volunteers are retired and "snow birds" who go north for the summer. On those three days there are groups of volunteers. We reach out by text or email with the basic questions and the volunteers respond to that. We also make it clear that we are always open for discussions on how to improve or if there is an issue and many will talk to us in person as well. ------------------------------ Lisa Burn Co-founder/VP Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary Myakka City, FL https://farmhousesanctuary.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

Happy to help! CAT (Cat Adoption Team) was able to run Fostering 4 Rock Stars as an apprenticeship and later through Maddie's University, all thanks to Maddie's Fund. ❤️The courses are no longer available, but many of the materials are still accessible. Good luck and let me know if I can help! Karen ------------------------------ Karen Green, CAWA Ask Karen Green http://askkarengreen.com ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

Thank you for these links Karen! Super helpful as we are building our programs. cheers, Rebecca ------------------------------ Rebecca McCathern Founder & Managing Director Helena's Community Cats of SOWEGA GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Michelle, CAT was my shelter! And thank you for bringing up Fostering 4 Rock Stars. That website has much more information about our foster program than my brain does. 😉 Fostering 4 Rock Stars Resources Direct Link to Pre-Adoption SOPs Karen ------------------------------ Karen Green, CAWA Ask Karen Green askkarengreen@gmail.com http://askkarengreen.com ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

Hi Peter, When I lived in California, the kittens I adopted were 8 weeks and already fixed. I am in Georgia now, and the best I can get is 2.5 lbs which is working out to be 9-10 weeks for the kittens in my rescue. I do hope things change here, and I'll push for change, because our cat population is growing exponentially by the day. Thank you for the article. best, Rebecca ------------------------------ Rebecca McCathern Founder & Managing Director Helena's Community Cats of SOWEGA GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

I'm so glad you added that point and the link! At CAT, we had started altering at 6 weeks and a "healthy, robust" 1.5lbs, but there was still reluctance among staff, volunteers, and fosters. Not an overnight change, that's for sure! Karen ------------------------------ Karen Green, CAWA Ask Karen Green askkarengreen@gmail.com http://askkarengreen.com ------------------------------ View Discussion

The Roanoke Valley SPCA in Virginia is hiring an Animal Admissions & Transfer Coordinator! Come join a great team! This is a full-time role on Monday to Friday from 9:30am-6:00pm. Learn more on our website: https://rvspca.org/careers/admissions-and-transfer-coordinator/ #OrganizationalManagement #TransfersandTransport ------------------------------ Erin Dams Operations Director Roanoke Valley SPCA Roanoke VA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Here is our powerpoint from today! ------------------------------ Sara Pizano ------------------------------ View Discussion

Wow! That's so impressive that you have volunteers willing to drive so far to help out! I love that you have the volunteers evaluate you. Is that evaluation done in a meeting or by a formal survey? I'm trying to picture how we would do that with our volunteers. ------------------------------ Ellen Pearsall Volunteer Mentor Orange County Animal Services NC ------------------------------ View Discussion

I love this, Karen! FYI: The UC-Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program recommends "spaying/neutering shelter kittens is as early as 6 weeks old or at a robust weight of 1.5 pounds." Of course, not all veterinarians are comfortable with this-but that's likely to change over time, as the veterinary community recognizes the high value/low risk. https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/resources/recommendation-spay-neuter-healthy-kittens-at-6-weeks-1-5-pounds ------------------------------ Peter Wolf Best Friends Animal Society Phoenix AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi, Rebecca. The UC-Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program recommends "spaying/neutering shelter kittens is as early as 6 weeks old or at a robust weight of 1.5 pounds." Of course, not all veterinarians are comfortable with this-but that's likely to change over time, as the veterinary community recognizes the high value/low risk. https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/resources/recommendation-spay-neuter-healthy-kittens-at-6-weeks-1-5-pounds ------------------------------ Peter Wolf Best Friends Animal Society Phoenix AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thanks to everyone who joined today's call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. ------------------------------ Charlotte Otero Community Strategy Manager at Maddie's Fund she/her ------------------------------ View Discussion

Just to clarify, for us, pre-adoption meant basically all of the adoption process had been completed except that the kitten was still legally and physically in our possession. Karen ------------------------------ Karen Green ------------------------------ View Discussion

At our rescue, kittens fly off the shelves whether they are 8 weeks or 16 weeks, but we have the option of an onsite location where there is a lot of visibility. We also do pre-adoptions while kittens are still in foster care. People meet the kittens in foster homes before they are neutered, and we start the adoption process and reserve the kittens for them. Once spay/neuter has been completed the adopter can pick the kittens up from the rescue or from the foster home. We encourage our foster homes to market their kittens on social media and invite people over to meet them for socialization and adopting. It's fun for foster homes because they get to meet the people adopting, they get updates on the kittens as they grow up, and the kittens get to go from a home to a home - less stressful. To increase visibility, we do stories on social media about certain litters and kittens. We've done public adoption events at various locations. We've taken kittens on our local news channel to get the public more aware of our presence in the community. We host a kitten shower every year. Eventually, we aim to create a more robust foster kitten pre-adoption program through marketing all available kittens (not yet spayed/neutered) on our website and developing a simpler adoption process that our foster homes can learn to do. Check out Cat Adoption Team's model (part of their Fostering for Rockstars program). It works really well for kittens. We are working towards this kind of system. ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

I'm such a big fan of pre-adoption! My previous shelter pre-adopted out the vast majority of our neonates from foster. We made them available at 6 weeks and scheduled pickup based on their anticipated surgery date. We emphasized with adopters that the surgery date was estimated and that a number of factors could delay surgery. We had protocols for contacting adopters: ehen to reach out, what to say, what their options were, etc. when surgery was delayed. That made it relatively smooth. Most adopters waited, some picked another kitten. I encourage you to question whether you're delaying surgery based on legitimate increased risk or your own perception of risk. I absolutely understand the feeling that these surgeries are risky. The kittens are so tiny! But the data clearly show that these are safe surgeries when kittens are healthy and age-appropriate protocols are followed. I think this is one of those things it's important to challenge ourselves on, because delaying surgeries inevitably means fewer kittens being able to come through your program. So there's a very real risk of waiting. I'd be happy to chat more about my shelter's pre-adoption program or how we made decisions around risk if it would be helpful. ------------------------------ Karen Green, CAWA Ask Karen Green askkarengreen@gmail.com askkarengreen.com ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thanks to Cinimon for the amazing talk today! If you want to schedule a session with Cinimon (which I highly recommend!), please go to CinimonClark.com and if you put SHELTER in the code, you'll get a 15% discount. This could be for general shelter decisions, individual dog counseling or an animal intuitive reading. And to answer the last question about protocols for behavior, please see page 29 of The Go-To Guide for Animal Services, that is where you will find my go-to resources for behavior: https://www.teamshelterusa. com/guide/ . And attached is a blurb we wrote recently for one of our Maddie's Million Pet Challenge consults: Thank you Cinimon! Thank you Maddie! ------------------------------ Sara Pizano ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi guys, I am looking for the BEST pet scales that aren't too expensive to put on our shelter's Amazon wish list. I send them out with each foster kitten/puppy, but the scales we have are so cheaply made and don't always read accurately. Thank you so much! #FosterPrograms ------------------------------ Braelyn Nores Volunteer and Foster Coordinator Rutherford County PAWS ------------------------------ View Discussion

We are currently raising funds to support a critical renovation project at our rescue. Located in the Arizona desert, we face extreme temperatures that make safe, comfortable shelter an ongoing challenge for the dogs in our care. To address this, we are transforming shipping containers into fully insulated, air-conditioned dog kennels. These units will be arranged in a pod-style layout, creating a safer and more efficient environment. The central space will serve as a shaded, covered play area-giving the dogs a place to exercise and socialize while staying protected from the heat. There will be a door from each container into the play area to provide easy access. Our first container is nearly complete, and we are already seeing the positive impact this solution can bring. With additional funding, we can continue building out this project and provide more dogs with the cool, comfortable shelter they deserve while they wait for their forever homes. ------------------------------ Laurie Myers Volunteer Cedar Oaks Rescue AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

In honor of Juneteenth, CARE's REDI Bronze for $19 / REDI Copper & VetREDI 19% discount (June 19-July 31, 2026) Register here for REDI Bronze Individual $19 with coupon: JuneteenthREDIBronze26 Register here for VetREDI for Students/Non-Profits $80.19 with coupon: JuneteenthVetREDI26 Register here for REDI Copper for Animal Care and Control Professionals $28.35 with coupon: JuneteenthREDICopper26 Organization Subscription: 12-month access to Bronze, VetREDI, or Copper for $695. To purchase contact Dr. Alina Luna ( alina@careawo.org ) Please note, this coursework is not designed to uplift BIPOC Americans or degrade those who are not. We intend to identify the value in what's missing and inspire others to reimagine the power in "We [All] the People." [Proceeds help to fund DirectCARE which assists families struggling with Access to Veterinary care] #AccesstoCare #AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement) #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment #CaseManagement* #CommunityCatManagement #CommunityPartnerships* #DisasterRelief #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice #EducationandTraining #FieldServicesandPublicSafety* #FosterPrograms #LawsandPublicPolicy #MarketingandSocialMedia #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration) #PetSupportServices* #Rehoming #RemoteCustomerService* #TransfersandTransport ... View Discussion

I hope you can join me for an amazing guest, dog behavior trainer and animal intuitive, Cinimon Clark! She will be our guest today at 2pm eastern on Community Conversations (cinimonclark.com). https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment ------------------------------ Sara Pizano ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Anon - I have been involved in 4 shelter design projects and am doing an expansion now. I would be happy to chat with you and there are some architects that can help you with this type of design...happy to connect you ------------------------------ Shelly Moore Humane Society of Charlotte ------------------------------ View Discussion

Possible shelter/boarding/breeding kennel design is fascinating subject. Each has its own pros and cons designed around climate, material and energy efficiencies, staff hours, optimal staff-animal interactions, natural animal behaviors and behavior management, house pet behavior education, funds and space available, the potential to produce income... I have worked in or at least walked through a dozen designs. It will be interesting to listen to the back and forth about ideal shelter designs. ------------------------------ Augusta Farley ------------------------------ View Discussion

Explore resiliency and trauma support in dogs through the lens of the human-animal connection. Learn how experiences shape the nervous system, how the brain can rewire over time, and how to build a more curious, joyful, and emotionally adaptable dog - and a more grounded you. Topics include neuroplasticity, cognitive bias, emotional contagion, play, enrichment, and trauma-informed support. Hosted by Every Dog Behavior and Training , speaker Natalie Wagner-Welds www.everydogaustin.org/webinars #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment ------------------------------ Miranda Hitchcock MS Applied Animal Behavior, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Certified Executive Director Every Dog Behavior and Training Austin, TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

The way we shelter dogs keeps me up at night. It was meant for a dog to spend a week there - and they're spending months, even years, in these kennels. It is, in my estimation, simply inhumane; and we really aren't talking about alternatives. I work in a limited-admission shelter with the advantage of having a fairly sizeable piece of land. My next step is to build little cottages to house dogs - think like the pre-fab sheds from Lowes, with a fenced in outdoor run immediately behind it. We are going to co-house most dogs this way, because I think our efforts to single-house dogs was the wrong direction. We're going to try it on a small basis at first, because obviously you need a lot of space to pull that off. It isn't really replicable, though, for city shelters, shelters with limited resources. Another Director I know is pursuing turning an abandoned nursing home into a dog shelter - so the dogs have little rooms. It doesn't solve the ability for the dog to go in and out on their own, but does replicate a living space for them. Best Friends Animal Society has some of their more challenging dogs in a space that's octagonal, with indoor-outdoor runs that are long, running like spokes around the building; and there's something in the center of it, so dogs aren't constantly staring at and agitated by other dogs. But basically, it's the same design as current shelters. I don't have the answer. But I agree with you that we need to immediately start blowing ... View Discussion

Thank you for your insight from a volunteer perspective. That is very helpful. We are not a dog shelter, we take in farm, exotic and wildlife at our sanctuary, what our volunteers do is a little different. We always feel we are communicating too much, bugging our volunteers. but we want them to know what is going on, what we need help with and what they've done well. As far as requiring volunteers to work a certain number of hours or number of days a week. We ask up front what time they are willing to give but we do expect them to show on the days/hours they say they will be there. We do ask that if someone joins our feed/clean team the commit to three to four hours once a week. This keeps the animals feeding on schedule which is very important. Communication needs to go both ways too. We are 100% volunteer run so we depend on volunteers to make sure the animals are cared for and things run smoothly. If a volunteer doesn't show up last minute it can throw everything out of wack. Another thing we do is ask our volunteers to evaluate "us". Every couple of months we ask them to share what they think can be done better, what tools they may need to make things more efficient, etc. We know this helps our volunteers feel that they are a valuable part of our team, which they are. I love to hear our volunteers sharing stories and saying "our animals". It shows how invested they are in our mission. What we do is very labor intensive and we are in a rural area at least 45 minutes ... View Discussion

I don't have information on demand, but just wanted to present one other potential factor-- marketing. Years ago, my local shelter had "pit bull rules" that called out the breed as something different and added requirements for adopters. The year before I started volunteering, I think they adopted out something like 22 of them, out of about 250 that came in. The year I started, about halfway through the year, staff went to Animal Farm Foundation and learned about labels and marketing. They made a concerted effort to simply get to know each dog and teach volunteers about labels, visual identification, etc. That year they adopted out like twice as many pit bull type dogs that year. The next year they started a short-term foster program and got rid of the "pit bull" rules. People loved to be able to take dogs out of the shelter for a few hours or overnight and for the first time, started doing this with all breeds of dog. That year, they adopted out so many pit bull type dogs that they started transferring them in from other counties. I think it's possible that demand isn't a set number, but something dynamic that responds when we get to know individual each dog, learn their strengths and cute quirks and market them as individuals. ------------------------------ Kelly Duer Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

Bonnie and Tammy, fair challenge, and I do not want to talk past it. We want the same thing, the dog in a home where it can stay. Nobody wants a bounce-back over a lease nobody checked. Here is the distinction I should have drawn more clearly the first time. There is a difference between a barrier and a conversation. The ASV standards and the Weiss research are not saying never discuss housing. They are saying do not turn housing into an automatic disqualifier, a required landlord signature, an employment check, a home visit, a vet reference, before a person is even allowed to adopt. That is the part tied to longer stays and lost adoptions. Asking "does your lease allow a sixty-pound dog, and have you confirmed it" is not a barrier. It is good matching. A conversation-based adoption surfaces the housing question, it just does it as a discussion instead of a paperwork gate. On the best-life point, Bonnie, I hear it, and the honest finding is the uncomfortable part. The screening does not buy the better home we hope it does. Weiss compared screened adopters to conversation-based ones and found the same quality of care, the same bond, and almost all pets still home at follow-up. So best life is not what the checks deliver. The match and the safety net are. Where I would push is on how you prevent the return, because you are right that a foreseeable one is bad for the dog. Two tools beat a blanket rule. First, a real housing conversation at the table, which catches the lease ... View Discussion

This is the right question, and it does not get asked enough. We designed shelters around cleaning efficiency and warehousing capacity, then acted surprised when the dogs fall apart in them. The dog's day is the thing we engineer last, when it should be the thing we engineer first. The design you are describing already exists in pieces, it just rarely gets built into a public shelter. Indoor-outdoor runs with a pass-through door, a guillotine door, let a dog move to a covered outdoor run and potty on its own without a staff member leashing it up. Boarding kennels have run this way for years. Drop that into a shelter and you have handed back an enormous number of staff hours that currently go to leashing and walking, and those hours become the enrichment you never had time for. The design is not separate from the enrichment problem. The design is the answer to it. A few other moves worth talking through. Group play yards, the Dogs Playing for Life model from Aimee Sadler, get dogs exercising and socializing in groups instead of one leash at a time, which is better welfare and far less labor per dog. Real-life rooms, home-like spaces with a couch instead of a cage, give a dog a place to decompress and give adopters a real read on it. And the most overlooked one, sound. Concrete and steel turn one barking dog into fifty stressed dogs. Sound-dampening surfaces, natural light, and kennel layouts that break the dog-to-dog line of sight so they are not constantly triggering each ... View Discussion

I'm putting together the second volume of The Shift to Prevention, a working handbook of prevention programs that any county or organization can pick up and run. The method is combination, not copy. We studied the best programs in the country, took the parts that work, and wrote each one up so a small org can start it without reinventing the wheel. Here is where you come in. We want the real operational detail, the part that never makes it into a press release. If you run a program that keeps animals out of the shelter, moves them through faster once they are in, or supports them after adoption, tell us how it actually works on the ground: How the program runs, step by step The materials, forms, and templates you use Supplies and equipment it takes Staff and volunteer roles, and roughly how many hours Rough cost to operate, and how you fund it What you wish you had known before you started, and the one thing that makes it work The more honest the detail, the more useful it is. The programs that fail quietly teach us as much as the ones that work. Here is the trade. Every program in the book names its sources. If what you share fills a gap or sharpens a chapter, we credit you and your organization by name as a research resource for that program. Good prevention work should travel, and a lot of it was built by the people on this forum. Reply here with what you run, or email us at angels@animal-angels.org and we will follow up with specific questions. Spay/neuter ... View Discussion

Audrey, this is one of the sharpest things anyone has put on this thread, and you pulled it together fine. You named the real gap. Spay/neuter is a known message. The "when," and especially "how early," is not. Vaccines have a clean public schedule everybody half-remembers. Sterilization timing lives almost entirely inside the shelter and rescue world, so a family that did not get their pet from a shelter never hears the early-fix conversation at all. That is not an owner failure. That is a communication failure, and it is fixable. The pregnant-cat example is the whole argument. A privately owned mom gets spayed, the kittens get handed out intact, and four months later we are doing it again with the next generation. If that owner had known the litter could be fixed alongside mom, and had help lining up cost and scheduling, most of them would say yes. You said it yourself, people would do this if they fully knew it was an option and had some support. That is a program, not a wish. It is a clinic that says bring the whole litter, a small recovery stipend so the week after surgery is not the reason it does not happen, and someone walking them through the timing. That someone is the Pet Help Desk, and I am glad you got there on your own. The desk catches the overwhelmed owner mid-crisis, knows that fixing the kittens with mom is even an option, and lines up the access before the kittens scatter. It also does the thing you described for yourself, it carries the who-does-what-where ... View Discussion

Thank you for this! It's equally important to focus on what we shouldn't do as much as what we should be doing! I agree that "feeling part of something" is an important goal to work on! ------------------------------ Ellen Pearsall Volunteer Mentor Orange County Animal Services NC ------------------------------ View Discussion

Maybe start a Foster to Adopt Program. You still have control of when the kitten gets fixed. I would caution with adopting before spay/neuter. Once adopted, it could be difficult if not impossible to facilitate getting the kitten spayed or neutered. We are also in Georgia. We do not adopt out until they are fixed at 2 pounds. Beverly Paladinetti Philanthropy Director Purrfect Peaches Cat Rescue www.purrfectpeaches.org Do all the good you can each day. On Sun, Jun 14, 2026, 9:57 AM Kimberlee Jones via Maddie's Pet Forum < Mail@maddiesfund.org > wrote: Such a great question as I struggle with this as well. Kittens are adorable at that "kitten stage" but too young to adopt. At 2 lbs they can be... Animal Welfare Professionals Post New Discussion Post New Discussion via Email Manage Profile Re: New blog: Kittens Are the Most Vulnerable Shelter Population, but Among the Most Adoptable Reply to Discussion Reply to Discussion via Email Reply Privately to Author Reply Privately to Author via Email Jun 14, 2026 6:55 AM Kimberlee Jones Such a great question as I struggle with this as well. Kittens are adorable at that "kitten stage" but too young to adopt. At 2 lbs they can be spay/neutered, but I still struggle with 2 lbs. The issue I find is letting them ... View Discussion

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous As a volunteer, I can tell what you what keeps me coming back and what stops me from going. When I feel included and part of the team, I come back. This comes from leadership. The director of the shelter sets the tone. Communication with us; how many dogs got adopted, which dogs got adopted... don't just bark orders at us, make us feel like we are valued and are making a difference. Having a whats app group chat also helps us feel like we are part of something. If I'm required to stay a certain number of hours, or come a certain number of days per week; I'm not going to show. Putting rules on someone who is giving their time for free is not right. Communication is key to making people feel valued and heard and then they feel part of something greater than themselves. View Discussion

I love this...thank you for sharing! We have considered a buddy system, and your success tells me that would be a good place to focus our efforts! I love that you do it between staff and volunteers, too. I appreciate you taking the time to reply! ------------------------------ Ellen Pearsall Volunteer Mentor Orange County Animal Services NC ------------------------------ View Discussion

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous I'd like to open up a conversation around shelter design. For decades shelters have been designed as rows of kennels but not what is psychologically ideal for dogs. Essentially we have been warehousing them and by the time each dog is individually leashed up, kennels cleaned, and dogs fed.... there is not enough time or staff to provide enrichment. How can we build kennels where each dog doesn't need to be individually leashed, and a back door opens into a yard in which they can potty on their own, run, play. Can we talk through what this could look like and other ideas that would benefit a dog emotionally and physically as they wait to be adopted? #OrganizationalManagement View Discussion

Such a great question as I struggle with this as well. Kittens are adorable at that "kitten stage" but too young to adopt. At 2 lbs they can be spay/neutered, but I still struggle with 2 lbs. The issue I find is letting them be adopted before spay/neutered is a risk of them not getting fixed. I'm working on a follow up plan for kittens adopting to good homes before spay/neuter. I'm going to follow up with a schedule date, and pick up the kitten for the appointment. I know it's a step many may not be able to do, but I'm going to try it. Following to see what everyone is doing! ------------------------------ Kimberlee Jones Co-Founder Sam's TRN, Inc GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

ShelterLuv is the way to go. I am the webmaster for a humane society, and I really like it because it is easy to set up to show all the dogs, and to then allow the breakdown of males, females, and puppies. ------------------------------ Bruce Sklar Web Developer Sentry Shepherds AR ------------------------------ View Discussion

Fundraising is often the lifeblood of a nonprofit organization, but simply hosting events or asking for donations isn't always enough to achieve long-term success. In my experience, the most effective fundraising efforts are built on strong relationships, clear storytelling, and consistent community engagement. Successful nonprofits understand that donors want to feel connected to a mission. Sharing real stories, demonstrating measurable impact, and showing donors exactly how their contributions make a difference can significantly increase support and donor retention. Diversifying funding sources is equally important. Relying on a single fundraiser or grant can create financial instability, while combining individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, monthly giving programs, and community events creates a more sustainable funding model. Community involvement is another key factor. Fundraising events should not only raise money but also increase awareness, strengthen partnerships, and attract future supporters. Events that create meaningful experiences often generate long-term relationships that extend beyond a single donation. In your opinion, what fundraising strategies have been most successful for nonprofits? How can organizations balance fundraising goals with building authentic relationships within their communities? #FundraisingandDevelopment ------------------------------ Nikki Villa Communications & Development Coordinator Majestic Park Animal ... View Discussion

Hi BJ, After reading all the responses, I wanted to respond, especially after really thinking about Karen's response. I'm currently speaking from someone working directly on the veterinary side in a HVHQ S/N clinic. I'm old enough to have started in rescue as a determined preteen in the early eighties, and can now look back over decades. Absolutely we have done amazing things bringing those numbers down. It don't think anyone involved back then can forget how awful it was, or the impact of pediatric spay and neuter. I think part of what is going on is that there are several very fractured messages going on around spay/neuter and rescue, and that it gets very confused by social media. I don't think pediatric or early s/n is a very clear message, I think people only or mostly think of it in terms of animals that you adopt from a shelter. And that's pretty much true. As far as I'm aware, general practice/regular vets are not doing them -they are doing them earliest around six months, or with larger breeds, even much later, 18-24 months due to "evidence" around orthopedic development particularly in larger breed dogs (though the AVMA says when to alter dogs is based on the individual dog, and does not address the debate around potential joint issues, etc, presumably because the evidence doesn't warrant it. Whether that's true or not -it's a debate out there on social media, with shelters being criticized for it). For cats, it's have it done by 5 mths. Pediatric s/n are ... View Discussion

At our county shelter - they view adoptions as giving the animal the best life - not to just get homes in a hurry to get them out of the kennel.. Anyone living with parents has to have their OK, along with a landlord or any roommates. We do not want them to have to bring the animal back. ------------------------------ Bonnie Clark President TNR Mecosta MI ------------------------------ View Discussion

Do you want to set up a food bank program for pet families in your community, but aren't sure where to start? Check out our free digital download: Spotlight on Animal Friends: A Champion of Supporting Food Insecure Pet Families to get inspired by their successful Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank that delivers more than 17,000 pounds of free food to over 3000 families each month in cooperation with multiple human-services agencies throughout Allegheny County, in Pennsylvania. “We know that pets are family, and during times of uncertainty, their companionship becomes even more important. Our community has always stepped in when help is needed.” #ThankstoMaddie #AccesstoCare #CommunityPartnerships* #AccesstoCare #CommunityPartnerships* ------------------------------ Open Door Veterinary Collective www.opendoorconsults.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous I'm trying to better understand regional demand in the US / Canada for medium and large bully-breed dogs. Is there any data available, that shows geographic differences in adoption rates, length of stay or demand for these dogs? If so, I would be grateful for any resources or recommendations. #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms #DataandTechnology View Discussion

Any recommendations for a dog rescue that is trying to move from personal funds for the rescue to donations and hopefully grants? What type of software should we start with to track medical, adoption and donations? ------------------------------ Laurie Myers Volunteer Cedar Oaks Rescue AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hey Celeste, I know that we have spoken but I wanted to repeat this in this thread for others to see. HI ALL - just got off a call with the CEO of Revival regarding the temporary disruption in production of their kitten milk replacers, including Breeder's Edge and Shelter's Choice. They assured me that all kitten formula currently on the market continues to meet their quality and safety standards. After 18 years on the market, Revival has made the decision to transition to a new manufacturing partner due to concerns related to confidence in the puppy milk replacer product line. As a result, kitten formula production is temporarily paused while the transition takes place. The expectation is that kitten milk replacer will be back on the market within the next few months-hopefully before October-and will be produced under the new manufacturer, providing even greater confidence for consumers. For Kitten College partner programs, Revival will be reaching out directly with additional information. They have also committed to providing goodwill donations of some of their other products as a thank-you for your patience and to help offset the inconvenience during this transition. ------------------------------ Marnie Russ Founder, Program Administrator Kitten College VA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi. Are your kittens being adopted pre-spay/neuter surgeries? I have wonderful bottle babies, but at 8 weeks they are too small to be fixed. Therefore I might be able to neuter, and put up for adoption at 10 weeks. They will still be awesome cats, but larger than what some might expect when wanting to adopt a kitten. thank you. ------------------------------ Rebecca McCathern Founder & Managing Director Helena's Community Cats of SOWEGA GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

New data analysis shows that neonatal kittens are the pets least likely to survive in a shelter - but with a short period of supportive care, they get adopted quickly. A short period of supportive care for neonatal kittens who come into shelters, ideally in a foster home, gives them the chance to make this transition from at-risk to adopted! Take a look at our new blog for more: https://bestfriends.org/network/blog/kittens-are-most-vulnerable-shelter-population-among-most-adoptable Thanks and have a great weekend!! Best Friends Animal Society Kittens Are the Most Vulnerable Shelter Population, but Among the Most Adoptable New data analysis comes with a clear call to action: Neonatal kittens have the highest mortality of all shelter populations - but that once they reach eight weeks old, they become among the most adoptable. View this on Best Friends Animal Society > #CommunityCatManagement #DataandTechnology #FosterPrograms ------------------------------ Arin Greenwood Senior Strategist, Network and Advocacy Communications Best Friends Animal Society St Petersburg, FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

I admire you for bringing this up for discussion. It shows courage to be willing to challenge your beliefs and procedures. When we put a barrier in between a pet and help that they need, whether that help is adoption, spay/neuter surgery, a foster home, or anything else, w e need to be darn sure that barrier is justified. In animal welfare, we tend to be risk averse on behalf of animals, particularly those in our care. It's understandable, but we can get laser focused on that in a way that ends up backfiring. We often make restrictive policy decisions based on a rare incident or conjecture. Those policies might occasionally prevent something we're afraid of. They're also consistently causing damage to animals we can't help because our barriers have limited our capacity. I encourage you to ask yourself and others within your organization, what is the purpose of each requirement? Keep asking the question until you drill down to the core need. (For example, we often require a fenced yard when what we want is for a pet to get adequate exercise, or not to be tethered.) In this case, f the concern is fosters and household pets reproducing, the solution you suggested could prevent that without a blanket policy. If the worry is that people with intact pets are seen as irresponsible with pets in general, that's a common bias in our field, not an established problem. All we really know is that these prospective fosters have at least one pet that isn't altered. That doesn't ... View Discussion

Hi All, I just got off a call with the CEO of Revival regarding the temporary disruption in production of their kitten milk replacers, including Breeder's Edge and Shelter's Choice. They assured me that all kitten formula currently on the market continues to meet their quality and safety standards. After 18 years with their current manufacturer, Revival has made the decision to transition to a new manufacturing partner due to concerns related to confidence in the puppy milk replacer product line. As a result, kitten formula production is temporarily paused while the transition takes place. The expectation is that kitten milk replacer will be back on the market within the next few months-hopefully before October-and will be produced under the new manufacturer, providing even greater confidence for consumers. For Kitten College partner programs, Revival will be reaching out directly with additional information. They have also committed to providing goodwill donations of some of their other products as a thank-you for your patience and to help offset the inconvenience during this transition. ------------------------------ Marnie Russ Founder, Program Administrator Kitten College VA ------------------------------ View Discussion

I agree with Bonnie 100% This issue keeps coming up "to reduce barriers" but did you think about the dog who needs to come back to the shelter ? The second idea to reduce the minimum age to 18 from 21. Bad idea. We increased it to 23 and if the adopter lives in his parents home we ask them to ok a dog coming home. Usually when we ask it the adoption process is done. Parents are not ok with it. ------------------------------ Tammy Fabian Executive Director Friends For Life Animal Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

Here's the info I received yesterday from a colleague. No official recall at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one soon. We switched our shelter kittens to Fox Valley a month ago because of the issues we were seeing that at the time could only be anecdotally linked to the Revival kitten formulas. ------------------------------ Melissa Gibson Communith Relations Manager Humane Fort Wayne IN ------------------------------ View Discussion

I'm sorry - but why would you adopt out a dog only to have it brought back because the landlord did not give consent? ------------------------------ Bonnie Clark President TNR Mecosta MI ------------------------------ View Discussion

RescueOps is a newer software with donations and donor tracking as a first class item in the program. 😊 ------------------------------ Jessica Potting Founder RescueOps OH ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

Hey there! I realize this is an old thread - but I'm curious if you found any software to suit your needs? We have built some workflows into RescueOps which is a newer software for animal shelters and I'm looking for some beta testers if you'd be interested! The plan is to keep the software free to use with some more advanced features (ie SMS messaging) being pay to upgrade eventually. But everything you mentioned is available within the program and would not be extra. Please reach out if you have any questions! ------------------------------ Jessica Potting Founder RescueOps OH ------------------------------ View Discussion

As the costs of caring for pets keep rising, the amount of people who need help is also increasing. We all see the impacts of it every day and want to do all we can to help keep pets in their homes with their families. A proven way you can help is through an Angel Fund. Do you want to learn how to set up and fundraise for your own IRS-compliant fund? Check out our free guide: Angel Funds Help Keep Pets and People Together #ThankstoMaddie #AccesstoCare ------------------------------ Open Door Veterinary Collective www.opendoorconsults.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

​For those dedicated to canine neurology and stroke research, the correlation between systemic hypertension and neurological events is a critical area of focus. ​Often referred to as a silent condition, canine hypertension is frequently secondary to underlying issues such as chronic kidney disease or metabolic disorders. Because it often presents without clinical signs until damage is significant, proactive screening is the only way to prevent severe target-organ damage, including strokes. ​Why Early Detection Matters ​Current research highlights that systemic hypertension is a primary risk factor for damage to the eyes, kidneys, heart, and brain (Acierno et al., 2018). Clinical evidence shows a strong connection between elevated blood pressure and acute neurological presentations (Arnold et al., 2020; Kent et al., 2014). For senior and geriatric dogs, routine monitoring is a vital neuroprotective strategy. ​By establishing a baseline and monitoring changes, we can intervene before a hypertensive crisis leads to permanent neurologic impairment (Beeston et al., 2022; Marynissen et al., 2023). ​Provided by The https://caninestroke.org ------------------------------ Jordan Davis Founder The Canine Stroke Foundation KY ------------------------------ View Discussion

Sarah, this is exactly the kind of failure I was hoping people would be honest about, so thank you. We hit the same wall, hard. We call it Finder-to-Foster, and early on we did it on a handshake, the way you described. Same result every time: the family emergency a week later, the "can you take him for the weekend" that turns into never taking him back. For a small foster-based group that isn't an inconvenience, it's a crisis, because the animal lands back on you with nowhere to go. Here's what changed it for us, and none of it is about trusting people more. It's about building the arrangement so a bail can't sink you. First, we require a foster application even for finder-fosters. It feels like friction, and some people balk at it, but the ones who balk are almost always the ones who would have bailed. The application is the filter. Second, before the animal moves, there's a signed foster agreement that says the quiet parts out loud: the timeline could be months, here is who has placement authority, and if you need out you give us notice and a handoff, you do not drop the animal somewhere. It gives you standing when someone tries to dump. Third, we line up a backup foster in parallel from day one. So when someone does bail, it's a phone call, not an emergency. We assume the bail will happen and build for it. And fourth, for a lot of these we don't take custody at all. We run it as a Managed Rehoming case: the person keeps and houses the animal, and we run the placement, ... View Discussion

Hi, You can find it here https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/topics/handout-spectrum-of-fas-for-cats/ along with FAS scale for dogs and other resources You can also find body language resources including identifying pain in cats at https://chirrupsandchatter.com/resource-library/ ------------------------------ Tabitha Kucera RVT, VTS (Behavior), CCBC, KPA-CTP Chirrups and Chatter OH ------------------------------ View Discussion

Yes. This is true. My understanding is that the puppy formula had a voluntary recall due to elevated vitamin D. The kitten formula has never been an issue but they have lost trust in the manufacturer. I have a call with the CEO next week and will update you. 😻 ------------------------------ Marnie Russ Founder, Program Administrator Kitten College VA ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

FYI it seems Revival has pulled all of their kitten milk formulations (Breeder's Edge Foster's Choice and Shelter's Choice) and phone calls are being told they are reformulating and it won't be available until October. Someone said they received a voicemail about a voluntary recall on the kitten goat formula this morning. Has anyone else heard anything ------------------------------ Celeste Bailey Director Celestial Zoo Pet Rescue UT ------------------------------ View Discussion

All of Revival kitten formulas are out of stock and when called, were told they are being refomulated and won't be available until October. Is there a recall on the kitten formula? People have been complaining of issues but I chalked it up to being worried since the puppy formula was recalled. I don't see any actual statement, just everything gone. #AccesstoCare ------------------------------ Celeste Bailey Director Celestial Zoo Pet Rescue UT ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hello, I am struggling to find the print out for the FAS meter. Where could I find this? I want to suggest use of it at the shelter I work at. ------------------------------ Tisha Adams Rescue Coordinator Kansas Humane Society Wichita KS ------------------------------ View Discussion

We partner closely with our local animal shelter, and their intake appointments are currently scheduled through the end of July. As you can imagine, they are receiving significant pushback from community members who are frustrated by the wait times. We would appreciate hearing what is happening at your shelter. Are you experiencing similar intake backlogs? If so, what strategies have you implemented to help expedite intake appointments while still maintaining quality care for the animals already in your custody? Any insights, best practices, or lessons learned would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks for your assistance. #AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement) ------------------------------ Shawn Pearson Operations Administrator Oconee County Humane Society, Inc. SC ------------------------------ View Discussion

Its not necessarily a program, however we have tried "finder fosters" or "owner fosters" - where we agree to take on the animal(s) if the person with them now continues to foster them until adoption. We have explained to these people that for certain animals - fostering could be many months (ie black adult pitbulls or bully breeds). It seems like every time we enter into an agreement with this situation, we get an email a week later about a "family emergency" or an incident that happened and they can no longer foster. Or they ask for someone to take the animal for a weekend and refuse to take it back. We are small. We are also now foster based and we have been caught in some really tough spots due to this. Now it makes us real hesitant to agree to these situations, even if its an animal we think will adopt out quickly. I don't know of a way to fix or change this. Unless we were to say - then keep your animal and find another rescue to help. Which would be a horrible thing to do. Mainly for the animal and the rescue reputation. At that point, I usually have choice words for that person so their feelings are 1000% irrelevant to me. ------------------------------ Sarah Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

Dogs often face sudden accidents, wounds, fractures, and other life-threatening injuries that require immediate attention to prevent serious complications or death. Knowing emergency treatment for injured dogs helps pet owners and animal rescuers take quick action such as stopping bleeding, stabilizing injuries, and ensuring safe transport to a veterinary clinic. Proper understanding of emergency treatment for injured dogs also includes first aid techniques, stress management, and timely medical intervention, which significantly improves survival and recovery outcomes. #AccesstoCare #CaseManagement* ------------------------------ Kannan Animal Welfare NGO Kannan Animal Welfare PW ------------------------------ View Discussion

What an amazing story, thank you so much for sharing, and I'm so incredibly happy that Willa and her person were reunited. I believe in this profession, it's so easy to lose hope that there's somebody out there looking for an animal, especially once the animal is in the shelter for a couple months like Willa was. However, this story is a good reminder that there could be people out there looking, and we just need to be patient. We definitely need more hopefully stories out there like this one! ------------------------------ Kelly Money Executive Director Rocky Mountain French Bulldog Rescue CO ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Sophia, Our shelter currently uses ShelterLuv, and while I'm not as familiar with Shelterbuddy and Adopets, I can confidently say that ShelterLuv is the correct choice for our shelter. With ShelterLuv, it is easy to keep records of everybody who has come through our system, such as those who have adopted/fostered, those who have submitted adoption/foster applications, where we've received intake from in the past, and of course, every dog who has been through our shelter. It's pretty user friendly which I appreciate, and the information is easy to access and find. It's easy to update information too, which I find very helpful as things are always changing around here! Again, I don't have as much experience with the other two software choices, but I hope this post can still be helpful. Good luck in your decision! ------------------------------ Kelly Money Executive Director Rocky Mountain French Bulldog Rescue CO ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Laurie, don't hesitate to reach out if you ever want to chat more about using data to help identify and track needs and successes. My email is cameron.moore@ufl.edu and I love talking about data! ------------------------------ cameron moore ------------------------------ View Discussion

We don't have a nursery, we're all foster-based and take in about 1,000 neonates a year. Mostly looking for their updated medical protocols. We based ours on theirs and have heard that there are updates, but haven't been able to see them so far. View Discussion

Hi BJ, I appreciate your response as a whole, as I do get waved off a lot in this space. I worked as a veterinary nurse in ER and ICU for 6 years and also specialized in oncology. After leaving the medical field, I went into finance to learn about the systems that shape access to this care, learn about nonprofit business and understand the financial planning for individuals and families (owners). I specialize in business planning and real estate. I've ran my finance business now for almost four years - I have seen the challenges within veterinary, animal welfare and on the human economic side. Both those career experiences have put me in an "advantaged" position to run this nonprofit foundation and advocate for both the animals and owners. I do agree on the lack of resources being the primary issue that needs to be focused on rather than excluding adopters due to policy. I also understand there are gaps in communication/understanding between rescue and veterinary medicine. I've experienced it first hand when working in ICU especially. I think there are issues in that itself that create their own barriers in these systems that aren't talked about enough. I am a big believer in compassion and communication - with owners, rescues, hospitals, housing providers, social workers or any other organization facing issues. Missions may differ slightly but the goal is always the same - keep the pets with the families and provide stability. Our goal is always to meet people where they ... View Discussion

Maria, this is the most useful pushback in the thread, and you are not wrong, so I want to engage it honestly rather than wave it off. What you are describing is real. You see the downstream data almost nobody else in this conversation gets to see, the recently adopted owner already underwater, applying for emergency help with no savings behind them. That is a genuine failure, and it is worth taking seriously. But I think you and the research are pointing at two different things that get collapsed into one. There is a difference between knowing an owner's circumstances and using that knowledge to exclude them. The studies that say to drop vet and landlord checks, the ASV standards and the Weiss adoption work, are about exclusion, screening a family out at the door, and they are clear that it does not predict whether the animal gets good care and it does shrink adoptions. What you are describing is not screening to exclude. It is knowing the owner's situation so someone can stand behind them when the emergency comes. Those are not the same act. Here is where I land, and it is closer to your position than it looks. The flood of cases you are catching is not proof those adoptions should have been denied. It is proof that the system adopts the animal out and then leaves the owner standing alone with no safety net. The answer is not a tougher gate at adoption. It is a net underneath the home after it: post-adoption support, a number to call before things collapse, emergency help ... View Discussion

Katheryn, you are not guessing, you are right, and there is research that backs you to the letter, which matters for you as a grant writer. On dropping the vet and landlord checks, that is not just a good instinct, it is the position of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. Their Standards of Care guidelines say plainly that imposing strict adopter requirements like employment status, landlord checks, home visits, and veterinary references is discriminatory, prolongs length of stay, and prevents future adoptions. That is your own field's standards body, in writing, saying the barriers cost lives. And a 2014 ASPCA study, Weiss et al., compared policy-based adopters to policy-free ones and found no difference in quality of care or in the bond with the pet, with 96 percent still in the home at follow-up. So the fear that drives those checks, that looser screening means worse homes, does not hold up in the data. For an internal case or a grant narrative, those two sources are your ammunition. On the diversion program, that is the whole game, and it is exactly the model we run: food, medical help, and behavior support to keep pets out of both your shelter and the county shelter. Two things worth hearing. First, it does not take unlimited money to start. One funded lane, say emergency pet food plus a small medical-assistance fund, is a real diversion program on day one, and you grow from there. Second, the part you said almost in passing, preventing intake into your shelter ... View Discussion

Hi Katheryn, Our foundation supports economically disadvantaged families through emergency veterinary care grants and wraparound services to empower economic mobility for owners. Our team specializes in emergency and critical medicine, communicating with owners and the treating hospital every step of the way to advocate on behalf of vulnerable owners and each party involved (treating hospital, social workers, housing providers, etc). In regards to getting rid of certain policies, I do understand the barriers but I can speak on the consequences of not having veterinary and landlord checks. From what I've experienced, a majority of rescues/shelters do not check financials - again with the concern of less animals being adopted, but when the focus is solely on the animals and not the position of the owner, it becomes a loop of the animal being at risk at any given emergency, especially if that animal is leaving the rescue/shelter with a known issue no matter how "small". I have unfortunately received an abundance of applications/cases where recently adopted animals/owners are applying for assistance and already at risk of surrender. We do check financials and a majority of these cases are on extremely low incomes with little to no savings. While every animal deserves a home and not a life in a shelter, it is not proactive to decrease policy on checking the owner's circumstances. I'm always happy to meet or talk further about our programs and how we could be ... View Discussion

If I could change on thing about our shelter, it would be a few of the adoption and foster policies, we have in place. Specifically, I would lower our 21 and up age policy to allowing people 18 and older to adopt. I would also get rid of our required vet and landlord checks. Where we want our pets to go to the best homes possible, having too many barriers gets in the way. This also has the consequence of increasing length of pet stay, decreasing the number of adoptions we could be doing, and decreasing our lifesaving potential as we are not able to intake as many pets in need. If money was not an issue, we would LOVE to implement an intake diversion program to prevent animals from entering both our shelter and our local county shelter. This could look like providing pet food to owners in need, money for medical needs they cannot afford on their own, or behavior training to help workout whatever issue is going on in the home. Having this would decrease the stress that both us and our county shelter feel every single day, while supporting the pet lovers in our community. ------------------------------ Katheryn White Adoption Counselor/Grant Writer PAWS Shelter of Central Texas TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

One of our biggest ways that we have been able to increase volunteer retention is by helping to foster and build relationships among the volunteers. We had a buddy/mentor system with our volunteers that helped pair them up. When volunteers bond and become friends, we found that they are more likely to want to come to the shelter TOGETEHR to spend time walking dogs or socializing cats. These volunteers have become our long-term volunteers who come weekly. We also found the same for fostering the volunteer/staff bond and friendship. People are more likely to show up on a regular basis when they feel like friends or family. So coming to the shelter is not only for the animals but it also has a humane aspect to it as well. ------------------------------ Katheryn White Adoption Counselor/Grant Writer PAWS Shelter of Central Texas TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Laurie, We are so happy to found the session helpful. I can promise you that Cameron and I have learned so much doing consults and think so differently now about a lot of things. As you can see, we are happy to share! Thanks for all your hard work, commitment and dedication for the dogs who need help-you are appreciated! Sara Pizano, DVM, MA | Animal Welfare Strategist teamshelterusa.com | 954.401.8785 Team Shelter USA Facebook Page On Wed, Jun 10, 2026 at 1:38 PM Laurie Myers via Maddie's Pet Forum < Mail@maddiesfund.org > wrote: Thank you for such an informative session. Many of the points you shared really resonate with what we experience at our rescue. From the... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals" community Animal Welfare Professionals Post New Discussion Post New Discussion via Email Manage Profile Re: Community Conversations - 06/08/2026 - What You Need To Know Reply to Discussion Reply to Discussion via Email Reply Privately to Author Reply Privately to Author via Email Jun 10, 2026 10:36 AM Laurie Myers Thank you for such an informative session. Many of the points you shared really resonate with what we experience at our rescue. From the challenges of dogs being abandoned to the ... View Discussion

Hi Mandy, This is something that National Kitten College is working closely with the Shelter Medicine Programs to put together. We recently launched this guidebook that is a living library so will be updated in real time. Do you have an active, in house nursery or are you looking more for updated kitten care? https://kittencollege.aflip.in/livinglibrary Marnie Russ National Kitten College ------------------------------ Marnie Russ Founder, Program Administrator Kitten College VA ------------------------------ View Discussion

At this month's Shelter Med LIVE : When that 70-pound dog won't stop spinning and snapping, or the senior cat wants to lash out from the crate, is your team prepared to respond in a way that won't cause lasting trauma to the animals or the team? Animals' fear, anxiety, and stress coming into the shelter can turn an exam, vaccinations, or the euthanasia experience into a tense, even traumatic, ordeal for all involved, compromising care, safety, and efficiency. With often little information about an animal's history and the need to balance safety with population health, solid humane handling techniques and tools are foundational for medical teams. In this episode, relief shelter veterinarian Dr. Michelle Gaston and Humane Innovations founder John Peaveler join host Dr. @Jennifer Bennett to share tips and techniques for humane handling and behavior management in high-stress shelter situations. You'll leave this conversation knowing: Techniques for defensive handling/protected contact that may differ from what you were taught in veterinary school Equipment and safety tools help protect staff while minimizing the impact to the animal's experience How the veterinarian's leadership role impacts shelter handling culture and why strategic support is essential for medical teams How investment in proper humane handling training and equipment helps the shelter's bottom line – it just makes good financial and people sense! Can't make it live? ... View Discussion

Following! ------------------------------ Kendra Brady Educator/Volunteer Coordinator Hitchcock Road Animal Services CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for such an informative session. Many of the points you shared really resonate with what we experience at our rescue. From the challenges of dogs being abandoned to the overwhelming pace that makes it hard to step back and see the bigger picture, rescue work is certainly tough-but also incredibly rewarding. It has been especially difficult to build strong community involvement, though we continue to make every effort. We also found the data information you provided very valuable and plan to begin tracking more detailed information about the dogs in our care. ------------------------------ Laurie Myers Volunteer Cedar Oaks Rescue AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

We use simple SOP-style training guides for consistency. For dog meet & greets, it's all about controlled introductions and reading body language early. Disease prevention focuses on strict hygiene, PPE, and isolation protocols. Enrichment is rotated through food, sensory, and social activities, while behavior modification is based on small steps and positive reinforcement with clear tracking. I've also come across useful practical insights in Bark Busters when looking at different behavior training approaches. ------------------------------ Tyrone Pierce Veterinarian Maryland Hospital MD ------------------------------ View Discussion

What an incredibly moving story - I'm so glad Willa made it back home after such a long journey. It really shows how important community effort, persistence, and shelters working together can be in reuniting lost pets with their families. Stories like this are also why tools like PawBoost are so valuable, since they help amplify missing pet alerts quickly and reach people far beyond the immediate neighborhood. So happy Willa is safe and back where she belongs! ------------------------------ Tyrone Pierce Veterinarian Maryland Hospital MD ------------------------------ View Discussion

For surgical prep, most clinics I've worked with tend to stick to sterile, veterinary-approved ophthalmic lubricants rather than switching to non-sterile alternatives like corn oil. Even though bulk purchasing can feel expensive upfront, it usually ends up being safer and more consistent for preventing corneal drying during anesthesia. Some shelters do reduce costs by ordering larger multi-use containers or working through veterinary supply distributors for better pricing, but they still keep it within sterile ophthalmic products rather than homemade mixes. I've also seen similar practical discussions pop up in places like Planet Urine reviews, where people in animal care settings share cost-saving approaches and product experiences, especially around routine surgical prep supplies. ------------------------------ Tyrone Pierce Veterinarian Maryland Hospital MD ------------------------------ View Discussion

This is such an important reminder, especially the point that seatbelts and proper restraints don't prevent accidents but significantly reduce injury risk. In our organization, we do bring up car safety in family education sessions, including proper use of child seats and the importance of securing pets during travel, since that's often overlooked. I've also seen similar safety discussions come up in Leer reviews, where people talk about vehicle accessories and setups that improve safe transport and organization. It really shows how small habits and the right equipment can make a big difference in everyday safety. ------------------------------ Tyrone Pierce Veterinarian Maryland Hospital MD ------------------------------ View Discussion

We keep circling the same gap in these threads, the field underinvests in its own people, and then wonders why management and retention are hard. So here is the part worth saying out loud: the education for animal welfare management exists, and a lot of it is free. Here is the map as I understand it, management-focused. The credential. CAWA, the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator, through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (theaawa.org). It is the executive credential for our field, nonprofit and municipal. A proctored online exam covering leadership, HR, finance, fundraising, marketing, administration, and animal care. You do not need a degree to sit for it, and about 300 people have earned it. If you want one thing that signals management standing, this is it. Free certifications and course libraries. The UC Davis Koret Shelter Care Specialist and Master Shelter Care Specialist certifications run through the Shelter Learniverse and are currently free thanks to Maddie's Fund, with CE units that count toward NACA and CAWA. Maddie's University (university.maddiesfund.org) is a deep library of free courses for leadership, staff, fosters, and volunteers. ASPCApro adds free training plus the ASPCA-Cornell-Maddie's shelter medicine courses. University programs. The University of Florida offers a fully online Maddie's Graduate Certificate in Shelter Medicine and an online master's, built for shelter leaders and managers, not just veterinarians. University of Wisconsin-Madison ... View Discussion

BJ, now you just made my day too!! Yes, please connect me with Sara and I will ad Sunny into any exchange as well. I am not the children person, but she is. What I 'got into' is simply a very close seat inside the whole community in the town where I work the local Postoffice. And yes, it meanwhile turned into walk-ins for help which I then provide after hours. Since 4 years I see and learn, and the only ways to change the patterns is to 1. understand the struggle of a community and 2. Explain a better way to the children. Because the parents are too busy hunting and gathering the things they need to live without ever having enough funds or support, so the animals certainly slide down in their priority list. Last year in fall I started our non profit, and I had to replace my partnering Directors living off the Rez already and replaced with people having the same vibe, living here their whole live and know what is going on, by carrying the needed amount of empathy for peoples situations. Getting the children to care will bring the parents to the table to support them. Because here, the children are everything!! Excuse my wording, I am a german original, moved here 14 years ago. Another Organisation just moved into town and funded the Little Chickadee Learning Lodge, so things are moving in the right direction, but we need to find a spot in there for animal welfare. The daughter of a great Crow Educator, Lucy Real Bird, (Henry Real Birds daughter), said a thing I cannot ... View Discussion

Thank you! ------------------------------ Tonya Smith Founder LC'S Foundation Michigan ------------------------------ View Discussion

Pilu, this made my day. You picked up exactly the thread I was hoping someone would. You and I land in the same place on this. The system changes through the kids, and the adults follow them. There is even a measurable logic to it that an evaluator on this forum and I were just talking through: when you teach a child, you reach the parent through that child, the same way fire-safety education has always worked. That parent-engagement path is one of the few corners of humane education that actually shows up in outcomes. Sara Kimball is the person you want. She built a kids program called Ralph's Responders that pairs animal care with disaster preparedness, and she wrote a children's book, Rowen and the Animal Shelter, that teaches kids what to do when they find a stray. Her materials live at lsart.org in the kids corner. I would be glad to connect you two directly so you are not piecing it together from the outside. The work you are taking on in SE Montana is the hard version of this. Services on the Reservations are thin to nonexistent in a lot of places, the kind of gap that never shows up in a national dataset, and you know those communities in a way no outside program ever will. Whatever Sara has should be a starting point you shape to fit the communities you serve, not a script to follow. You are the right person to carry it there. Say the word and I will make the introduction to Sara. ------------------------------ Join The Shift To Prevention. BJ Adkins Founder/Director ... View Discussion

This was just beautiful intel discovered in time. One of our longterm fosters from another foster based rescue will be looking now into childrens animal welfare education here on the Reservations in SE Montana. My impression is since years already, that the only way to change the ways is through the children and we will be looking deep into what Sara has in storage for us! Thank you for putting this out here! ------------------------------ Pilu Pretty On Top Found. Director Good Luck Road MT pilu@goodluckroad.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

Tami, I am going to give you the honest version instead of the cheerleading version, because you are an evaluator and you will see through the cheerleading anyway. Our own humane education work is just getting started, so I am not going to pretend I have years of outcome data to hand you. I do not. But I can tell you why you keep hearing it does not work, and it is not because it does not work. It is a measurement problem. Most humane education gets evaluated, when it gets evaluated at all, on attitude and knowledge in the short term. Did the kids enjoy it, did they answer questions better right after. That part the research supports reasonably well, near-term empathy and attitude shift. What almost nobody measures is the long-term behavior outcome, because that is expensive, slow, and the programs are too under-resourced to track it. So the field ends up with a pile of warm anecdotes and very little durable outcome data, and leaders read that gap as proof of failure. It is not proof of failure. It is proof of underfunded evaluation. The data did not catch up because nobody built the measurement to catch it. That is also the way out, and it is right in your wheelhouse. Tie every humane education touch to one measurable downstream outcome you actually care about, and design the measurement in from day one instead of bolting it on later. Not did they have fun, but did this cohort show a different rate of something you can count. Build the program backward from the metric and ... View Discussion