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Hi everyone, Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection will be on a break in November and December due to the meetings falling ON the holiday- we'll see you again on January! Check out past recordings on youtube or browse previous discussion threads/recordings here on Maddie's Pet Forum . Or... check out our Behavior Learning Path and Collections on Maddie's University :). Happy Holidays! #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts #EducationandTraining ------------------------------ Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Director of Shelter Solutions Maddie's Fund Pleasanton CA 9258608284 ------------------------------ View Discussion

Wonderful! Always enjoy reading any new studies. ------------------------------ Rachel Ide Animal Services Director Young-Williams Animal Center TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Anna! It sounds like you and your family have wonderful hearts! I hope this is the start of a rewarding adventure in compassion for all of you. Many people start out with good intentions, but things quickly slide into disaster and overwhelm because of the number of animals in need and the lack of a specific plan and budget for operating. To avoid this, you will need to do some intentional planning and learning--hopefully before you commit to another animal, or find yourself drowning in obligations. Some areas to pay close attention to: A business plan and reasonable budget --even charities must function as businesses, just without "profit" Nonprofit/charity functions in your state Proper animal care (keeping them healthy isn't always simple) Ongoing fundraising plans, tied to the number of animals you can commit to and the reasonable starting budget you have set Finding good vets to partner with There are lots of good resources here in Maddie's Fund. But resources don't make the hard decisions you need to make, or set the boundaries you need to keep this work healthy for you and your family, the animals, and your finances. Good luck on your journey! ------------------------------ April King Volunteer and Board Member Kotor Kitties +1 206 407 5336 http://www.kotorkitties.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Rachel. I am so glad that you brought this up. We recently conducted a study with families to measure the joy and challenges of have pets. We are currently working on a report with the findings so stay tuned! ------------------------------ Candice Hinkle Assistant Director Program for Pet Health Equity Knoxville, TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

HI! Donation nights are great IF you get a lot of people in to say they are there for your rescue. We had one that was pretty good with Panera; we did another movie night and it was a complete DUD. Whatever you do be sure to look at the rules....like our Panera one said you cannot solicit on site or pass out flyers on site, and we are a small new rescue so getting people to come in specifically for us was difficult. ------------------------------ Enger Dickey Co-director Emerald Coast Pet Rescue FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

The recording from November 18, 2025 Social Work Guidelines in Animal Welfare Settings is ready! You can watch it on Maddie's Fund's Education YouTube Channel here, or, to e arn .5 continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), please watch the webcast on Maddie's University https://university. maddiesfund.org/products/ doors-wide-open-social-work- guidelines-in-animal-welfare- settings-on-demand ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hey everyone - I came across this fascinating article from The Conversation that dives into how living with a cat impacts not just us, but also our feline friends, from a neurological perspective. It's a great example of a One Health idea in action, showing the deep, bidirectional effects of our shared lives. Key takeaways: The article explores how cat ownership may influence human brain chemistry, mood, and stress levels. It also looks at how cats' behavior and brain function might change when living closely with humans. There's discussion of how human–animal bonding impacts both species physiologically. Why this matters for One Health: This is a powerful reminder that human health and animal health are deeply intertwined - not just through disease, but also through social, emotional, and neurological pathways. Understanding these links better could inform how we think about pet therapy, mental health, and animal welfare. Read the full article here: What owning a cat does to your brain - and theirs 🗣️ Discussion - What do you think? Have you noticed changes in your own mood, stress, or mental health since owning a cat? For pet researchers or veterinarians in the forum: Do you see neurological or behavioral changes in animals that might be driven by human–animal interaction? How could we design One Health research projects that further explore these brain-level effects in both humans and companion animals? ... View Discussion

And what a great webinar it was! So well organized and sooooo informational! Thank you to Janet and all the amazing panel members; I'm hoping that you'll all come back for another soon! ------------------------------ Penny Paich-Caraway Community Programs Manager Animal Friends PA ------------------------------ View Discussion

What about offering week-long fosters or "holiday" fosters for college students home for the holidays? They usually have at least 3 weeks off from school. ------------------------------ Paula Vergara volunteer grant writer/content developer A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue Bethesda MD ------------------------------ View Discussion

I also find that many fosters are looking to adopt so they have a very specific set of guidelines for fostering in terms of size, breed, etc. Sometimes through conversation we can convince them to broaden their list but not always. We have had success posting pictures of animals we would like to take in and ask specifically for help getting them their "freedom ride". If we don't get a foster response then we cannot commit to the animal. Sometimes we get a response but too late and the animal has been tagged by a different rescue. In that case, we find another animal and present to the potential foster as a 'replacement' foster. This has been very successful for us. ------------------------------ Michelle Messemer Foster Manager DAWS Animal Welfare Society CT ------------------------------ View Discussion

Yes @Gayle Bair , @Alison Gibson will let us know as soon as it is posted on Maddie's Pet Forum. :-) ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

I've seen rescues make posts requesting volunteers for an upcoming event. ------------------------------ Meg Metheny Equine Rescue Volunteer From The Ashes Horse Rescue & Rehabilitation TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Is there a recording of the webcast? ------------------------------ Gayle Bair Pet Retention Liaison Animal Friends Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ------------------------------ View Discussion

My Dog Is My Home would like to invite you to register for our virtual conference, taking place March 24-26, 2026. The My Dog Is My Home Conference convenes nonprofit and government leaders, service providers, researchers, people with lived expertise, and advocates across sectors to explore one critical issue: ensuring that emergency shelters and affordable housing allow people to remain with their pets. ❓Why attend? • Learn from national leaders in homelessness response and animal welfare • Gain practical frameworks and tools you can bring back to your team • Connect with a cross-sector community committed to human–animal family unity • Access special group rates for 3+ registrations Register: https://www.mydogismyhome.org/2026-conference Apply for a scholarship: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScARw0Quyq-Q9-oyXJvyw3IuOWzgDKFF7-M3zA34fKNcMP5lQ/viewform?usp=sharing We are also accepting conference proposal submissions until January 9th: https://forms.gle/9fGik8X4JVp76KCD7 Please reach out with any questions and we hope to see you there! #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts ------------------------------ Shoshana Mostoller Technical Assistance Specialist My Dog Is My Home shoshana@mydogismyhome.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

Register to join host Dr. @Jennifer Bennett and guests Dr. Jena Valdez (Chief Medical Officer, San Francisco SPCA), Dr. Ginger White, (Veterinarian, ASAP Cats), and Dr. Carissa Jones (Chief Veterinarian, OC Animal Care) at this month's Shelter Med LIVE conversation on 11/19 at 4 p.m. PT. Over the past few years, new California laws have expanded what shelter staff, technicians, and veterinarians can do for animals. Meanwhile, shelter medicine remains a hot topic at the Veterinary Medical Board and the California Veterinary Medical Association as they consider compliance and concerns around compounding pharmaceuticals, owner exemptions for medical care, and veterinarian of record relationships. On this episode of Shelter Med LIVE, Drs. Valdez, Jones and White will share how they work through these issues in-shelter and with partner organizations. Together, we'll unpack recent and upcoming changes and what they actually mean for your daily practice. Join the discussion on the questions everyone's asking: Can I still compound? What are the rules for drugs used in High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter surgery and dispensing for common shelter treatments? What can I delegate to veterinary staff or technicians to expand the medical care for shelter animals when I'm not onsite? What about serving owned animals? What's actually required for Vet of Record relationships, and what should I be aware of when working with shelters? Send your biggest questions to ... View Discussion

Hi everyone! Since 2020, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona has hosted March Muttness. In 2026, we're excited for more shelters and rescues to get involved - and we'd love to hear from you! March Muttness is a friendly, bracket-style fundraising competition that brings together animal welfare organizations from across the country. It's a fun way to rally your community, boost engagement, and raise critical funds to support the pets in your care. Whether your organization has participated before or this would be your first time, we welcome you to reach out. Here's how it works: Find out your match-up for the round Mobilize your supporters to raise more money than your "opponent" Win and move on to the next round or don't win and get your payout (of what you raised!) Repeat until just one organization remains! You keep 92% of what your supporters give, the other 8% goes to fees. In 2025 , 39 organizations participated! If your shelter or rescue is interested in joining - or if you just want to learn more about how the tournament works - please feel free to email me directly (blekoshapiro@hssaz.org). We can walk through expectations, timelines, and best practices to help you feel set up for success. We'd love to have you in the bracket! #FundraisingandDevelopment ------------------------------ Bonnie Leko-Shapiro Director of Marketing & Communication Humane Society of Southern Arizona AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you Dr @Michael Blackwell for sharing this important reminder as we begin U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. AMR truly is a One Health challenge, and I appreciate how clearly this message highlights the connections across human health, animal health, and the environment. The points about responsible use-in both antibiotics and antifungals-are so important. It can be easy to forget that resistance extends beyond bacteria, and emerging fungal threats show why appropriate use across all antimicrobial classes matters. I also appreciate the emphasis on vaccination and prevention. Keeping people and pets healthy from the start reduces the need for antimicrobials altogether, which is one of the most effective ways to slow resistance. From a One Health perspective, the reality that resistant microbes can move through food systems, the environment, and even household settings makes stewardship something we all share. Whether it's using antimicrobials thoughtfully in clinical settings, supporting responsible use in agriculture, or simply practicing good hygiene at home, each of us plays a role. Thank you for bringing attention to this important week-and for highlighting how collective action drives progress against AMR. You can explore the CDC's U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week toolkit using the link below to learn more and share resources. ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ---------------------- ... View Discussion

Following to see the suggestions. I see several people saying to post pictures of the animals. My rescue has converted to foster based (as of this past weekend) because we lost the lease to our building. We don't have the option of posting pictures of the animals because we can't agree to take in an animal unless we have a foster lined up. And we don't want to "advertise" pictures of an animal we don't have custody of and offend the owner(s). We also get people that want to foster but upon review of the applications - they are very specific. For instance, one of the latest wants a small female puppy thats a yorkie or maltese. Its rather frustrating. ------------------------------ Sarah Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

OK, thank you very much Cecilia, I will look into that option. Have a great week, Ole ------------------------------ Ole Bye Procurement Specialist The Food Depot NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

Our shelter purchases a lot from Bradley Caldwell Inc. so that might be a good option. I think there is like a $500 or $1,000 minimum, but that is easy to hit if you are ordering in bulk. It gets shipped directly to you on pallets and you can purchase a lot of food. Let me know if you have any questions! ------------------------------ Cecilia Oliveros Community Resources Coordinator Animal Friends Pittsburgh PA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us Today we kick off U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week , held nationwide every year from November 18–24. Even though the week is titled "Antibiotic" Awareness Week, the CDC emphasizes responsible use of both antibiotics and antifungals, because antimicrobial resistance (AMR) affects bacteria and fungi alike. AMR remains one of the most serious global health threats. The CDC estimates that in the U.S. alone, antimicrobial-resistant infections cause more than 2.8 million illnesses and over 35,000 deaths each year. Why Appropriate Use Matters One of the most important things to remember is that antibiotics treat bacterial infections-not viral infections. They are effective for illnesses such as strep throat or urinary tract infections, but not for colds, flu, RSV, or most sore throats. If you're feeling unwell, resist the urge to ask your doctor for antibiotics. Instead, let your doctor evaluate what's actually making you sick and whether an antibiotic is needed. Taking antibiotics when they aren't necessary, or taking them longer than prescribed, teaches bacteria how to survive-driving the development of resistance. Vaccination is also a powerful tool. By preventing infections in the first place, vaccines reduce the need for both antibiotics and antifungals. Antifungal Resistance is Also Rising Antimicrobial resistance includes more than bacteria. Fungi can also develop resistance to antifungal ... View Discussion

Maddie's Community Conversations will not hold a call in observance of Thanksgiving in the United States on Monday, November 24, 2025. We will see you again for the next Community Conversation on December 1! #EducationandTraining ------------------------------ Sheila Kouhkan Senior Education Specialist Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thanks, Janet! The webcast is actually today at noon Pacific (November 18). Hope to see everyone there! ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

This day is a reminder that protecting children is everyone's responsibility - across human health, animal health, community services, and every part of society. A One Health approach strengthens prevention by recognizing how family, community, environment, and systems all connect. What can we do? Here are practical action steps: 🔹 Learn the signs. Understanding behavioral and physical indicators of abuse helps us recognize when a child may need help. 🔹 Create safe, trusted spaces. Whether in clinics, classrooms, community programs, or shelters, ensure children feel seen, heard, and supported. 🔹 Promote trauma-informed practices. Professionals across health, education, social services, and animal welfare can integrate trauma-informed approaches into daily work. 🔹 Share resources. Know your local hotlines, crisis centers, and reporting pathways - and help others access them. 🔹 Support families and caregivers. Reducing stress, improving access to healthcare, and supporting mental wellness all reduce risk factors for violence. 🔹 Advocate for strong policies and protections. Support legislation and community initiatives aimed at preventing abuse and strengthening child-safety systems. 🔹 Speak up. If you suspect abuse, report it. Trust your instincts - intervention can save a life. 🔹 Connect across sectors. A One Health perspective encourages collaboration between human healthcare, veterinary services, public health, and social support networks ... View Discussion

Thanks for sharing! What a great group of hiking buddies! ------------------------------ Kaitlyn Davis Research Associate UTK Program for Pet Health Equity TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

"If the world adopted the attitude of asking 'what happened to you?' vs 'what's wrong with you?' I believe the world can become more insightful. Try using those two questions on the same issue and watch how one removed blame, offers compassion, but still answers the root of the question." November 18th is the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation , Abuse, and Violence. Today, I wanted to highlight the concept of ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and how they effect mental and physical health outcomes as we grow into adults. T he more ACEs a person experiences, the greater their risk for conditions like heart disease, lung disease, cancer, depression, substance dependence and early death. This interconnectedness exists because chronic stress triggers the body's fight-or-flight response repeatedly, flooding the body with stress hormones. Over time, this disrupts the developing brain, immune system, hormonal systems, and even DNA expression, resulting long-term biological changes that increase disease risk. Emotionally, a person that has experienced ACEs may have internalized hurtful or critical messages from caregivers or peers. In adulthood, this can show up as deeply rooted negative self-talk. If expressing emotions wasn't safe or accepted in the home, they may struggle to share their actual feelings. In relationships, they may gravitate toward unhealthy dynamics or repeat negative patterns they witnessed as a child. ... View Discussion

Thank you so much! We truly appreciate your support. These discussions have helped us with great ideas to help our organization grow. I look forward to learning more. ------------------------------ Jennifer Vasquez Director of Development Rio Grande Valley Humane Society Harlingen TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

This is Chance and I with our tribe when we hiked Mount Le Conte. Located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Sevier County, TN., at 6,593 ft it is the third highest peak in the national park. It is also the highest peak that is completely within TN. Hiking heals the mind and body! @Jim Tedford , where have you hiked lately? I know you and the wife love hiking. ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you @Rachel Ide ! Please share far and wide. :-) ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

I love this idea! ------------------------------ Kristen Lewis Director of Donor Relations and Reporting Charleston Animal Society SC ------------------------------ View Discussion

@Cecily Grant , thank you so much for your post. I agree, a feline assessment grid is MOST welcome! I'll make sure @Sarah Wolfensohn and @Rachel Malkani see your note. ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi there! Foster recruitment has been challenging for many rescues lately, so you're definitely not alone. A few ideas that have helped organizations boost interest: • Share bite-sized "what fostering really looks like" content. Short posts, reels, and myth-busting pieces often perform better than full workshops. • Offer low-commitment options. Weekend fostering, vacation coverage, or emergency overnights help people ease into it. • Highlight real foster stories. Quick testimonials and "before/after" clips convert really well. • Partner with local businesses. Casual events at breweries, coffee shops, or pet stores draw more people than formal sessions. • Post specific dogs needing fosters. People respond more when they see an individual dog and a clear, immediate need. ------------------------------ Julie Beatty Grants Coordinator Ziva Dog Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

I love all animals and when I see one being neglected or homeless I take them in on top of all animals are drawn to me. So with out knowing it I stared my own rescue but the thing is it's just my mom,brother, daughter,and partner who take care of all the animals and it's out of my home. Im not sure exactly what to do. #AccesstoCare #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment #PetSupportServices* ------------------------------ Anna Fuller Caregiver Anna's Angels TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

@Kristen Dwyer You can find free templates to download online! I think as long as you have the organization's information, volunteer information, activity details (including date and length of time), and some form of verification such as a signature page for those signing off hours - you should be good! ------------------------------ Jessica Bogosian, RVT Director of Community Medicine Programs San Francisco SPCA CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Depending on which state you are in, telemedicine can be an extremely viable option for increasing access to care! ------------------------------ Jessica Bogosian, RVT Director of Community Medicine Programs San Francisco SPCA CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Some of my own international outreach work were born from relationships that began online - particularly LinkedIn! I would highly recommend staying connected through platforms like this one and building your network - you never know where a conversation can take you! 🪄🐾 ------------------------------ Jessica Bogosian, RVT Director of Community Medicine Programs San Francisco SPCA CA ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

Hi Paula, I'm unsure about nationally, but in California, yes. Assembly Bill 1399 was passed in 2023 and went into effect in 2024, allowing licensed CA veterinarians to establish a VCPR through video telehealth to assess whether a pet can be treated via telehealth, or if they need to be seen in person. There are some telehealth urgent/emergency services as well, like Vet Triage . ------------------------------ Kylie Ramos Community Engagement Manager SF SPCA CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you all for having us! It was a pleasure to participate in such a wonderful discussion and I look forward to continuing the conversations! ------------------------------ Jessica Bogosian, RVT Director of Community Medicine Programs San Francisco SPCA CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thanks to the 117+ people and paws who joined us on today's Community Conversations call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap of today's call and the resources shared. Call Recap Welcome from hosts Sheila Kouhkan, Senior Education Specialist, Maddie's Fund @Amber Eby , Senior Grants Specialist, Maddie's Fund Question of the Day: What makes people more likely to stay in jobs? "A sense of belonging" - Kelly Clardy "Nice co-workers and benefits!" - Lisa Pearce "Management experience" - Elkie Wills "Balance" - Melissa Fitzgerald "Feeling appreciated" - Penny Paich-Caraway "Inclusive culture" - Patti Denny "Benefits and pay but I know being dedicated to what I'm serving keeps me there." - Kristen Petrie "Good manager. Nice. Promotes learning for staff. Shows appreciation. Deals with issues quickly and correctly (not in front of everyone else)." - Kristin Moro "Encouragement, a manager that's willing to help you get the jobs done." - Anita Selby "For BIPOC, lack of micro/macroaggressions and not denying our lived experience goes a long way" - Nadia Oseguera-Ramon October Grant Winners Maddie's Community Conversations Giveaway Winners of $2,500 each @Melissa Fitzgerald , Pawfect Life Rescue @Jennifer Vasquez , Rio Grande Valley Humane Services @Rebecca Bigelow , Lilac City Pup Project @Patricia Burg , Erie County SPCA National Updates ... View Discussion

As a follow-up to this, I work in workforce development and we are waiting on guidance around the need for documented volunteer hours for participants who are on SNAP. I also volunteer with a local dog rescue in Las Vegas that is all foster-based out of our homes, but we also do events and training days for the community, so was trying to think how we may be able to get more volunteers to assist our dogs. Thanks! ------------------------------ Kristen Dwyer Development Volunteer Lost and Found Animal Foundation Rescue NV ------------------------------ View Discussion

Unanswered question from the chat: "Just curious - what is considered a large shelter, a medium shelter and a small shelter, number of animals wise?" - @Stephen Christian ------------------------------ Community Conversations Community Conversations Committee Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Unanswered question from the chat: "With the changes coming with SNAP benefits and the need to volunteer for people to access them, is there some set form/template that rescues can use to show volunteer hours for these individuals?" - @Kristen Dwyer ------------------------------ Community Conversations Community Conversations Committee Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Unanswered question from the chat: " Just curious - is there telemedicine within vet clinics?" - Paula Vergara ------------------------------ Community Conversations Community Conversations Committee Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Unanswered question from the chat: "I have a question from an international perspective. For organization like based in U.S. and operating abroad. What are some effective ways to build partnerships with U.S." - @Oyunbileg Gelegdorj ------------------------------ Community Conversations Community Conversations Committee Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thanks to our panelists, @Kylie Ramos , @Jessica Bogosian, RVT , and @Melissa Gomez - and everyone who joined us today! We would love to hear from you in response to today's reflection question: What would our field look like if community members weren't "recipients of care," but architects of the system itself? ------------------------------ Sheila Kouhkan Senior Education Specialist Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Animal welfare work can be profoundly rewarding, and it demands a lot from the people who do it. The intensity and emotional and physical stress impacts are real , and no one gets through it alone. Please consider joining us on Tuesday, Dec 16, from 12 pm to 12:30 pm PT for this webinar, which focuses on caring for yourself and your colleagues. We will focus on clear, workable ways to effectively support yourself and others, without absorbing more than you can carry . I'll be leading our conversation - Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work at Open Door Veterinary Collective . I have done street outreach, full-time crisis response work, and worked with first responders of all sorts on well-being support and stress management and teach Mental Health First Aid certification for the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA). I will walk us through: the difference between seeking peer support and trauma dumping, how to debrief tough moments with less impact on everyone involved, and what active listening looks like when we're trying to stay steady. We'll also talk about gently and directly setting boundaries in a way that protects the speaker and the supporter, and review several "tools" (things to do) when your body is going into or in full-blown fight/flight stress response but that's not what you need in a given situation (these are also great for grounding and basic nervous system ... View Discussion

Animal welfare work can be profoundly rewarding, and it demands a lot from the people who do it. The intensity and emotional and physical stress impacts are real , and no one gets through it alone. Please consider joining us on Tuesday, Dec 16, from 12 pm to 12:30 pm for this webinar, which focuses on caring for yourself and your colleagues. We will focus on clear, workable ways to effectively support yourself and others, without absorbing more than you can carry . I'll be leading our conversation - Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work at Open Door Veterinary Collective. I have done street outreach, full time crisis response work, and worked with first responders of all sorts on well-being support and stress management and teach Mental Health First Aid certification for the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA). I will walk us through: the difference between seeking peer support and trauma dumping, how to debrief tough moments with less impact on everyone involved, and what active listening looks like when we're trying to stay steady. We'll also talk about gently and directly setting boundaries in a way that protects the speaker and the supporter, and review several "tools" (things to do) when your body is going into or in full-blown fight/flight stress response but that's not what you need in a given situation (these are also great for grounding and basic nervous ... View Discussion

One thing we do at Butte Humane Society for our Foster Program is that we provide everything necessary for the foster to take care of the animal: food, bedding, kennel, etc. I'm not sure if that's how most foster programs work (I am new in my role at BHS!), but we've seen some success with that. Another thing we have recently implemented is our Bedtime Foster program where fosters only commit to doing it for one night. Reducing the time commitment and advertising that we have foster opportunities for anywhere from one night to several weeks has been something that we are starting to see success in as well! ------------------------------ Anna Barton Fundraising and Development Associate Butte Humane Society CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Virginia, Thank you for expressing interest in PASS (Pet Adoption Safety Search). The more rescues and shelters who use the database will make it an even more invaluable resource for us all. You just need to visit our website and fill out the shelter partner request form. Once we receive that, you will get a welcome email and be able to access the database. The database can be used for internal record keeping as well as sharing of records from other trusted shelter partners. No one can edit or delete any of your records except for you. Unfortunately, like so many others, we also suffered the loss of one of our pups a few years ago to a very evil individual. We created PASS in Tucker's honor in the hopes that we could prevent others like him from hurting another innocent life again. We've also ran into that issue as well with how easy it is for people to relocate nowadays or purposely traveling outside their area where they are not known to try and adopt. Please let me know if you have any other questions at all and I will be happy to assist. https://www.animalleague.org/animal-welfare-groups/our-shelter-partners/ ------------------------------ Jamie Malone National Activations Manager NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

✨ Quick Reminder - Doors Wide Open Webinar Today 11/18/25 - 12pm to 12:30pm PT, 3pm to 3:30pm ET - Social Work Guidelines for Animal Welfare Settings Hi all, Please join us if you're able! You'll get to meet and hear from the veterinary social workers leaders/facilitators of the national work groups that co-authored these guidelines through a year-long, ASPCA-funded participatory action research project. This is a rare chance to hear directly from the people who built this resource by and for social workers in animal welfare organizations across North America. Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). A day or so after the recording, you will get a link to Maddie's University where you can access a certificate of attendance. Register here: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister If you can't join us, you can watch the on-demand video that will be available afterward! Hope to see you there. ------------------------------ Janet Hoy-Gerlach Director of Veterinary Social Work Open Door Veterinary Collective OH ------------------------------ View Discussion

✨ Quick Reminder - Doors Wide Open Webinar Tomorrow 11/18/25 - 12:00pm to 12:30pm Pacific Time - Social Work Guidelines for Animal Welfare Settings Hi all, Please join us if you're able! You'll get to meet and hear from the veterinary social workers leaders/facilitators of the national work groups that co-authored these guidelines through a year-long, ASPCA-funded participatory action research project. This is a rare chance to hear directly from the people who built this resource by and for social workers in animal welfare organizations across North America. Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). A day or so after the recording, you will get a link to Maddie's University where you can access a certificate of attendance. Register here: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister If you can't join us, you can watch the on-demand video that will be available afterword! Hope to see you there. #AccesstoCare #CaseManagement* #CommunityPartnerships* #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice #PetSupportServices* ------------------------------ Janet Hoy-Gerlach Director of Veterinary Social Work Open Door Veterinary Collective OH ------------------------------ View Discussion

The Seminole County Humane Society has a program called BFF. I actually participated in it as a high school student, and I am now working with the CEO here at Patty Baker Humane Society to implement a similar program. Furthermore, our rescue recess program (which allows people to take a dog out for an hours or two and bring it back) has led to many long-term fosters and adoptions. ------------------------------ Rachel Rothman Donor Relations Coordinator Patty Baker Humane Society Naples FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

I have the most success posting pictures of the specific animals I need fosters for. Generic posts for fosters work a bit but when posting for a specific litter or single animal I have increased results. Once I successfully secure a foster I try to have any other applicants foster a different litter. Sometimes it works. Most often people are looking to adopt so they are interested in the posted animal but that is okay as well. ------------------------------ Michelle Messemer Foster Manager DAWS Animal Welfare Society CT ------------------------------ View Discussion

Where are shelters and rescues acquiring free or discounted monitoring equipment for surgery? Right now all I have is an SPO2 and we all know they are total poopoo. Is there anyone who donates their old used ones or maybe sells old refurbished ones? #DataandTechnology #Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization ------------------------------ Amber Black Veterinary Technician Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

I loved reading this! Printed and shared with my team as a really unique showcase of the symbiotic nature of human to animal health and lifestyles. Thanks for sharing ------------------------------ Rachel Ide Animal Services Director Young-Williams Animal Center TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Today, November 17 th , is National Take a Hike Day . Here in East Tennessee, the weather has been absolutely beautiful lately- crisp air, colorful leaves- the perfect time to get out and enjoy nature! Walking has been called the best medicine . It's great for your physical and mental health as it improves your cardiac and respiratory function; lowers the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers; and reduces depression! Hiking can be even better with a buddy, whether it's a human or a dog! Here are some tips if you want to hit the trail with your furry friend: Know the park : Some trails, especially those in National Parks, don't allow pets so make sure you check ahead. Prep with your pup : Know what kind of trail and distance your dog can handle and work on their trail manners like being on leash and around other people. Be mindful of environmental risks : Bug spray for humans and tick treatments for dogs will help ensure that everyone has a safe and happy experience. Even if you prepare ahead of time, make sure to check everyone for ticks afterwards. Pick up after your pet : An obvious one- leave no trace! Pack the essentials : You'll want to make sure you bring anything that you or your hiking buddy may need… especially plenty of water. I'll never forget being out on a hike and seeing a pup wearing his own backpacking pack with his water bowl on one side and frisbee on the other… That was a well-prepared family! ... View Discussion

I have rewritten our city ordinance and I added mandatory micro-chipping to see if it would pass. Has anyone else in any other state including Florida tried this? If so, did it pass? How well has it worked? We are a small city of about 3000 Thanks for any information #LawsandPublicPolicy ------------------------------ Kristie Lewis Animal Control/Code Enforcement/Shelter Manager Williston Animal Shelter Williston Fl ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for the tip, June - I'll look into it. Ole ------------------------------ Ole Bye Procurement Specialist The Food Depot NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you Virginia, I will have a look at the links you shared. Have a great week, Ole ------------------------------ Ole Bye Procurement Specialist The Food Depot NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

This resource is invaluable. I wish all adoption and rescue agencies were aware of it and took advantage before approving an adopter's application. ------------------------------ DONNA gleason Volunteer New Milford Animal Welfare CT ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you @Kayla Anderson ! November is National Diabetes Month 🔗 Other Helpful Resources For human diabetes awareness and toolkit For pets the AVMA brochure "Diabetes in Pets" (dogs & cats) in English ; in Spanish Let's use this month to raise awareness , take action , and support healthy habits across species. Whether you're focusing on your own health, your pet's health, or both, every step matters. NDM24-Spanish-Flyer-Design_FINAL.pdf diabetes-in-pets-Spanish.pdf NDM24-English_Flyer_FINAL.pdf diabetes-in-pets-English.pdf ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

We have trouble getting fosters as well. Our social media team is greath though. Lately, we've taken in A LOT of neglected dogs who are VERY thin or sufffering from treatable medical conditions. Our girls post their pictures saying please help these poor babies who did not ask for this. If we know their back story, we tell that and emphasize the sadest part. they also say stuff like the rescue provides the supplies, we just need you to provide a safe place for them to stay while they look for their forever home. Your pleas have to grab at the heart. If you can, schedule them to post every other day for a week. Good luck!!! ------------------------------ Nancy Kaniewski Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator Just Giants Rescue, Inc. IL ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for sharing this fun event/fundraiser. May I ask how much on average you make per event? ------------------------------ Patti Denny BCAR Volunteer Big Canoe Animal Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for sharing this. I love the original idea - sometimes I think donors need different tactics to engage. This would be both interesting to design and participate in. ------------------------------ Patti Denny BCAR Volunteer Big Canoe Animal Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

We typically find social media has been a wonderful way to raise money, On our Facebook page We Care for Animals BHC, we are adding "Give the Gift of an Ear Tip" which will cover one of vouchers. We have had success to cover the surgery of five cats so far. ------------------------------ Rebecca Seefeld President We Care for Animals [Bullhead City, AZ ------------------------------ View Discussion

What is the single most effective, low-cost environmental enrichment tool you've found for timid/feral cats? (Beyond the 'hide box'). We often focus on 'Live Release Rates' as our primary metric, but how are you practically measuring the quality of life and stress reduction for cats while they are in the shelter ? Our team is looking to shift from just offering toys to implementing structured, quantitative enrichment programs. Question By Purrfect Insights ------------------------------ Jawad Ahmad Pet Writer Purrfect Insights NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

Sounds like an amazing experience for everyone involved! It's great to see more collaboration across different areas of public health, especially when it comes to improving access to pet care. I've been following initiatives like this for a while, and it's inspiring to see groups such as Chewy helping make support more accessible for pet owners. Looking forward to seeing what comes next! ------------------------------ Tyrone Pierce Veterinarian Maryland Hospital MD ------------------------------ View Discussion

I work with The Moon Dog Farm, we cover all of Chicagoland and are foster based. We specialize in rabbits, guinea pigs, and special needs / hospice dogs. Let's follow each other! I mainly work on branding and foundation development- we are really trying to focus on organizing with intent, and growth! Our founder , Jill Angelo is incredible and we are looking to network with others and help eachother- she's an incredible resource if you want to reach out! https://www.themoondogfarm.com FB/IG The Moon Dog Farm ------------------------------ erin pufunt Digital Marketing The Moon Dog Farm IL ------------------------------ View Discussion

We hold a Paint with a Twist event each year in March. If you have one of their studios or an art studio in your area, I would reach out to them. Everyone has a fun experience and we always have a full studio. It's a fun way to raise funds and take home your masterpiece. ------------------------------ Beverly Paladinetti Philanthropy Director Purrfect Peaches Cat Rescue Douglasville, GA www.purrfectpeaches.org ------------------------------ View Discussion

The Lake Traverse Animal Rezcue has been participating in the Artists for Animals Auction. We have a ton going on this year, with our 15 year anniversary in a couple days, Give to the Max Day, SD Gives Day which coincides with Giving Tuesday and GiveNative.Org has secured prizes for drawings for non-profits receiving donations. We're hoping that the prize eligibilty helps encourage donors. We haven't had that in the past for our fall events. ------------------------------ Cheryl Anderson Vice President https://www.laketraverseanimalrezcue.com SD ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hello, Does anyone have good ideas for how to attract more fosters? I have conducted foster 101 workshops and despite all the advertising, we get very little attendance. I need some other crea tive ideas. Thank you, Melissa Klaskin #FosterPrograms ------------------------------ Melissa Klaskin psychologist Reducing Animal Stress CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

We struggle with raising funds. We do the give to the max. Send out holiday cards. We would love some advice! ------------------------------ maria megas Executive Director/Founder The Kitty Cottage Sanctuary MN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hello, I am not only new to Maddie's Fund but I am also pretty green in the animal welfare community. The organization I am volunteering for is Lakeshore Animal Friends (LAF) out of Ludington, MI. I do know that LAF puts out a newsletter every year, to let their supporters know about their year and what they still hope to accomplish. As I am new to the group I don't know much else about their fundraising plans but I am very excited to share what I am learning about through this thread! Thank you all for the fantastic ideas. ------------------------------ Tanya Dorman Volunteer Lakeshore Animal Friends MI ------------------------------ View Discussion

Jamie greatly appreciate the information we are going to sign up . ------------------------------ Virginia Brantley President Georgia Heartland Humane Society GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

HI A couple of programs I've found so far - in case they're helpful: Feeding Partners by Petfinder - A program that connects pet food donors with animal welfare groups. You can learn more and apply here: https://feedingpartners.petfinder.com/ GreaterGood Goods - They offer an online store for pet food and supplies, and sometimes run discounted or donation-based models. Their catalog is here: https://greatergood.org/goods Hope these are helpful ------------------------------ Virginia Brantley President Georgia Heartland Humane Society GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

The recording is ready! If you'd like to earn CE credit , please watch the video on Maddie's University and take a short quiz for a certificate of attendance: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/maddies-insights-the-animal-welfare-assessment-grid-on-demand ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

I love that you're exploring tools to support shelters and rescues-there's definitely a need for thoughtful, well-designed solutions that reduce administrative burden without creating new risks. Here's some initial feedback on your hypotheses 1. "Most-likely match" recommendations: Structured profiles could save time, especially for busy rescues. Helpful features include automatic deal-breaker flags and candidate prioritization. However, over-automation and rigid applications are risky; staff need override options and system flexibility. 2. Live foster roster: A real-time dashboard or SMS updates would improve outdated spreadsheet/text processes. Easy availability updates and specific tags are useful. The system should be simple, optional, and not pushy to avoid burnout. 3. Rapid urgent placement + micro-volunteering: Filtering volunteers by location, experience, and availability can make urgent placements faster. Micro-volunteer prompts for short tasks are helpful, but accurate volunteer data and avoiding repeated messages are crucial. Key data signals: Landlord/HOA rules, other pets, work schedule, experience, fenced yard, medical/behavioral needs, reliability history. Automation thoughts: Smart tools that organize data and support human decision-making are valuable. Automation should enhance, not replace, judgment. Cant wait to hear more Virginia ------------------------------ Virginia Brantley President ... View Discussion

Thanks we are going to take a look at what they provide . ------------------------------ Virginia Brantley President Georgia Heartland Humane Society GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

We don't have that question in our application form. We do, however, have in our Handbook that once they are an active Volunteer, offenses such as acts of violence, or drug use in the premises, being inebriated, etc. are grounds for dismissal. ------------------------------ Fay Crisanto ------------------------------ View Discussion

Love the 1st 2 ideas. We have just moved to foster based after loosing the lease on our bldg. It would be incredibly useful if we had a way for fosters to post availability & what their requirements are. Then when we have intake requests, we can give faster responses knowing if we have a place or not. The fit is also a great idea for many of the reasons I read in other responses. Ppl are so quick to adopt on looks vs personality, then are upset when it doesn't work out. Ie - we have an Aussie mix. She was returned after 1y for killing chickens and being over active. Put her back up for adoption and specifically said she needs an active home. During meet n greet, specifically told adopter again her physical & mental needs. 4 days later hes returning her bc she's destroying things in the house when he's no paying attention to her and he takes her on 2 walks a day. Not using a crate. No dog park. No runs. No kongs. Etc. All the things we said she needed. If the computer generated matches, maybe they would be more likely to heed the advice? ------------------------------ Sarah Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Paula; Are you referencing this article: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/21/3204 The conclusions are very interesting. ------------------------------ Stacy LeBaron Head Cat The Community Cats Podcast Warren VT 978-239-2090 ------------------------------ View Discussion

Apart from canned food, I feed my kitten homemade wet and jelly food . Homemade wet food is soft and easy for kittens to eat, providing them with natural flavors and nutrients, while jelly food keeps them hydrated and adds a fun, tasty variety to their meals. ------------------------------ Amelia Brooks Animal Welfare Coordinator Happy Tails Animal Rescue CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

That was the most interesting and thought provoking presentation! Thank you to the speakers for such a great webinar, and for their important work. I am curious about the cat assessment grid, and how one could possibly assess the welfare of owned vs 'community' vs feral cats, and indoor only vs free-roaming cats. So different from dogs! Also, I was glad to hear there has been some work on insect welfare. As a beekeeper I think there are multiple potential welfare issues with beekeeping (transportation, chronic disease, euthanasia practices...) that people don't consider, and I hope to see more of a conversation about this, hopefully resulting in some guidelines/standards, positions at some point. And of course a validated honey bee AWAG! Also, I was glad to hear the positive response to my query about creating an AWAG app. Yes, cost is a barrier, but heck, that's what fundraiser people are for! ------------------------------ Cecily Grant veterinarian self employed BC ------------------------------ View Discussion

Have you heard of Score mentors? Score is part of the Small Business Administration, it's free, and they have mentors in every aspect. I would have never been able to start my nonprofit without their help. Website is score dot org And what a wonderful thing you're doing! ------------------------------ Sincerely, Johanna Spielman Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/ ------------------------------ View Discussion

If you can purchase 15 to 20 (or more) pallets at one time , I highly recommend Lewisco, a bulk wholesaler. Check out the post https://forum.maddiesfund.org/discussion/large-lots-of-pet-food-delivered-at-20-of-retail-cost I unfortunately couldn't make it work for my Coalition because our members are spread across Arkansas and most of them have donors purchase pet food from Chewy's and Walmart and send to the rescue. However Megan is great to work with. ------------------------------ June Thomas President Coalition of Animal Rescue Transporters, FKA Central Arkansas Rescue Transport Little Rock ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi, Tractor Supply almost seemed like it would work, but the bag size we need isn't eligible for either delivery or store pickup for large scale orders (250+ bags in our case). They also aren't offering recurring orders on what we need. I've tried to sign up with the two pet food distributors that service our area, but one has already turned us down for unstated reasons. Chewy seemed like an option but you can only order up to 50 of each product so we'd have to put in like 15 orders a month. We purchase 9000lbs a month currently. We get bulk bags at big box stores and rebag them into 15lb bags, but we want to get away from that activity. If anyone hears of any suitable options we'd love to know! Thank you. ------------------------------ Ole Bye Procurement Specialist The Food Depot NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

Join the Institute for Humane Education for a free, exclusive screening of Forever Home - a beautiful 56-minute film that has only been shown at two film festivals. Follow the journey of an architect who blends sustainable design with radical empathy, transforming a North Carolina animal refuge into a haven for creativity, compassion, and connection. This film is a wonderful way to invite conversations about animal sentience, kindness, and our shared world. Come get inspired and connect with others who care about creating a more compassionate future - for people, animals, and the planet. The director, Allison Argo, will join us to share insights into how she discovered the project and what compelled her to tell this story. After the viewing, we'll have a group discussion on possible ways to incorporate the film into classrooms and humane education settings. Argo's films have won over 100 awards internationally, and she is known for her emotionally charged, deeply personal work-particularly her intimate portraits of abused and endangered animals. Forever Home continues Argo's mission to give a voice to those who are unheard and to deepen understanding and respect for all beings. Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/785100624 To register, you need to be a member of IHE's Circle Community. If you're not already a member, you can join for free here: https://humaneeducation.org/join-the-community/ Once signed up for IHE's Circle Community, go to the "Community ... View Discussion

Maddie's® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us in December as we share insights from a nationwide survey of 484 U.S. shelters and rescues on adoption events and screening practices. Our guest, Dr. Lexis Ly, presents results from her study that includes how these processes work, how implicit bias can influence decisions, and how small procedural changes can speed up - and level up - the path to great pet–people matches. You'll come away with fresh insights and practical ideas to help reduce barriers and strengthen your organization's adoption success. Our host @Sheila Segurson (she/her) will be joined by Dr. @Lexis Ly , a researcher with a background in companion animal issues and One Welfare. WHEN: Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 12n Pacific, 2p Central and 3p Eastern for one hour This webcast will be recorded. Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. About the speaker Dr. Lexis Ly, Researcher Lexis Ly, PhD, is researcher with a background in companion animal issues and One Welfare. Her previous work used animal shelter and community data to understand how to maintain ... View Discussion

Love these ideas-especially the structured matching and real-time foster availability. Shelters spend so much time sifting through applications, so anything that surfaces the best fits first feels like a huge win. The foster-status "live roster" is also smart; most orgs still track this in spreadsheets, so lightweight check-ins or SMS updates could really cut friction. The urgent-placement targeting seems powerful too, as long as it's done with clear opt-ins so volunteers don't feel spammed. Overall, these feel very buildable and directly tied to real shelter pain points. Curious what tools you're considering for the first prototype? ------------------------------ Murphy Marjoriej NA Marketimg TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

North Shore Animal League America has developed a free, national cross referencing database that includes information on applicants who were denied or flagged while trying to adopt from shelters across the country. The database also includes names and photos of known convicted animal abusers. The database is free to all shelters who register to be a shelter partner which is verified. All shelters are encouraged to use the database for internal record keeping if they would like as well as a way to share and receive records imported by other trusted shelter partners. For more information, please feel free to email me at Jamied@animalleague.org and I can assist you with any other questions or getting you enrolled. ------------------------------ Jamie Malone National Activations NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMER NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

In our rescue, we don't automatically assume an unaltered friendly cat has no home, but we do factor it in. It's definitely a red flag, but not proof. We've reunited a few intact cats with owners who simply hadn't gotten around to fixing them or didn't realize their indoor/outdoor cat was wandering that far. Our general approach is: check for a chip, ask nearby neighbors, and do a quick social media/flyer push if the cat seems well-socialized and healthy . After that, if no leads come in, we move forward with spay/neuter and intake as a stray. Like you said, rescues are stretched thin, so the level of effort can vary case by case, but we try not to skip the due diligence entirely. ------------------------------ Bcordell Kerri N/A Marketing TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

Drs. Wolfensohn and Malkani shared these resources: Presentation slides (attached) Original research article (Frontiers in Veterinary Science (September 2022) https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.940017/full The Five Domains Model https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Domains_model Animal Welfare Assessment Grid - AWAG http://www.awag.org.uk Welfare Assessment Technologies, Ltd. https://www.welfareassessmenttechnologies.com/ ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

I trained my dog for mobility assistance due to a serious back injury that can't be fixed. Be very careful using any online service for an ESA letter. Most places know these places aren't legit. I know it's sooo hard when you need your pet. It is easier to get landlords to approve a cat because they stay in your home and don't cause "damage" like a dog. I'm not trying to get into your personal business, judge you, or tell you want to do, but you should see a doctor about your anxiety. After a couple months of treatment when you're not experienceing any relief, you can ask your doctor about ESAs and ask if you might benefit from having one. Your doctor can write a letter for you sainig you should have an ESA. Don't mention it immediately or your doc will know that's your end goal and be hesitant to write the letter. It's more legit coming from a doctor you have seen in person vs an online doctor. You would't believe the hoops I had to jump through to bring my dog to work with me and I worked for the federal government at the time. You would think the organization that investigates volations of a person's civil rights woudn't violate my civil rights, but they did. Our situations are completely different, but what's the same is the need to have our dog with us for the individual support we need. Good luck. I hope you are reunited with your pet soon. ------------------------------ Nancy Kaniewski Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator Just Giants Rescue, Inc. IL ... View Discussion

Interested in seeing "Foster Spot" when it comes out! ------------------------------ Lisa Kitchens Pet Central Helps! ------------------------------ View Discussion

I LOVE ideas 2 and 3. The way we do" matching" might not work for #1. I also see that it would take a ton of time to get enough animal info in to "match" people. We use conversational adoptions and move quickly. While it might work for some smaller rescues who don't mind taking more time it might be OK. ------------------------------ Lisa Kitchens Pet Central Helps! ------------------------------ View Discussion

I know our rescue doesn't ask these questions. I will say this, I understand the concern and you're so right for being cautious. Sometimes part of the legal process is for people to serve community service hours. I know because I was the Community Service Chairperson for my community. Go with your gut, but understand most people do want to recover, heal, and do better. Have you ever seen the show Pitbulls and Parolees (I think that's the name of it). Anyway, many of the incarcerated individuals assigned a rescued dog say in their interviews that caring one-on-one for a dog while incarcerated changes their lives. Dogs heal the soul. You will be able to tell who to approve and who to stay away from. I wouldn't automatically count someone out because of mistakes they have made in the past. Ask for references, talk to parole officers, go to their neighbors and see what they have to say about your potential volunteer. Yes, it's extra work noone really has time for, but you might fiind you have more approved volunteers than expected. Thank you for what you do and good luck!! ------------------------------ Nancy Kaniewski Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator Just Giants Rescue, Inc. IL ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Ashley - Every dog I have ever fostered has been soooo scared at intake. When I get them home, they get a flea bath whether they want it or not. I have dogs of my own and can't run the risk of beng infested with fleas. After their bath, they go in a crate in my living room to decompress. This room is blocked off from my dogs so they can rest in peace. I go in every hour, open the door to the crate, and just sit there. Sometimes I'll watch a movie and occasoionally put treats in the crate. I feed them 3 meals a day in the beginning, then reduce it to twice a day for older dogs. Most times I have to carry the pup out of the house for potty breaks, but that's okay. They learn I'm not going to hurt them real fast. Usually, the second day I start to get tail wags when I walk in the room. On day three, I see the fear start to subside and sometimes they come out of the crate to greet me while I watch TV. My movements are always slow and my voice s soft and gentle. I watch the pup for clues on when they are ready to venture to another part of the house, but they never meet my dogs one-on-one until three weeks have passed. I follow the rule of threes because it is so important for the decompression process. Slow and steady is the way to go. Rescued dogs are scared and need time to adjust to new people, places, and routines. ------------------------------ Nancy Kaniewski Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator Just Giants Rescue, Inc. IL ------------------------------ View Discussion

I wanted to share this article from the One Health Institute at Colorado State University that reveals some interesting links between people and pets with diabetes: People with dogs have a higher risk of developing diabetes than those without dogs in the home, likely due to shared lifestyle and environmental factors such as diet and exercise. People with dogs were 32% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if their dogs also had the disease. However, this link wasn't observed in cats and their human companions. Similar to type 1 diabetes in humans, canine diabetes involves an autoimmune response affecting insulin production. In contrast, type 2 diabetes in humans shares similarities with feline diabetes, often linked to obesity. What are your thoughts on these findings? How has your or someone else's lifestyle affected your pet or their pet? View Discussion

Yes, we should definitely be intentional about addressing the negative effects of having pet companions! The examples you have given demonstrate a key area for veterinary social workers: discussing the quality of life of pets with special needs as well as guiding pet families through end-of-life decisions. To achieve better outcomes for both the people and the pet involved, veterinary social workers should adopt an approach that prioritizes respecting the pet family's knowledge of their pet, while also considering what decisions would be most dignified for that pet. ------------------------------ Kayla Anderson Veterinary Social Worker Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

I love the most likely match. I foster for a rescue and we've had several dogs returned because the dog wasn't the right one for the family. People don't understand just because a dog is "cute" doesn't mean it's the right one for you. The girl that handles intake for us has a tough job when it comes to foster availability and emergency placements. We have 56 approved foster homes, but it's the same 10 to 12 people that always step up. Right now I have 4 fosters and 2 of my own because it kills me to hear her BEG for the volunteers to step up. I'm not complaining, the 4 are puppies from 3 different litters and they are so darn cute. Actually, it's 3 fosters...not 4. I foster failed one, but up until last night I did have 4. The only other thing I think that will be useful for rescue groups is something to collect data on people who transport pets. It would be great if we had a list of people williing to transport, where they live, and how far they are willing to travel with a rescued pet. If we rescue a dog out of state, our intake girl has to reach out to other rescues to see if they can help with transport. I don't see any downfalls from your vision. If you don't mind, can I share this with our directors and see if they have any thoughts? they have been doing this much longer than I have. ------------------------------ Nancy Kaniewski Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator Just Giants Rescue, Inc. IL ------------------------------ View Discussion