Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Safety Net Programs

    Posted 06-17-2025 12:20 PM

    I work at a municipal shelter in Athens, GA and we're interested in starting a safety net program (think temporary housing for the pets of domestic violence victims and other related things). I am really struggling to find SOPs and other resources that I can use as a government facility. Most of the resources I come across are more tailored to non-profits or foster based rescues. 

    Does anyone have anything that they can share with my in relation to this topic?

    TIA!!


    #PetSupportServices*

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    Chandler Hogan
    Athens-Clarke County Animal Services
    GA
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  • 2.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 06-18-2025 02:45 AM

    Have you tried taking what you find for non-profits and asking Chat-GPT to suggest changes for a shelter? 

    Chesapeake Humane Society is the crisis boarder near me and they are a non-profit, but do house crisis cases in their facility. I know they have used Red Rover for many resources.



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    Rebecca Burley
    Shelter or rescue volunteer
    Pennies for People, Animals, Wildlife and Shelters, INC
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 06-18-2025 03:38 PM

    Thanks for the info, Rebecca. That's a helpful suggestion. I've also noticed that a lot of safety net resources are geared toward non-profits, so adapting them for municipal shelters seems like the way to go for now. I'll look into Red Rover and see what they offer. If anyone comes across shelter-specific SOPs or intake forms for temporary pet housing, I'd appreciate it if you could share.



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    laura bairdd
    Office Clerck
    American Red Cross
    SC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 06-20-2025 09:09 AM

    Would check with Red Rover. They have had an initiative for yrs. w/ Purina called the Purple Leash Project. The initiative is '25 by 2025'; that is to have 25% of DV shelters be animal friendly since research has show that the majority of DV victims do not leave because of their pets. In addition to shelters, Red Rover provides grants/boarding to DV victims when feasible where there are no resources for DV victim pets. 25 by 2025 - RedRover    They may be able to SOPs and/or other resources; I know they have toolkit. 



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    Laurie Methven
    Volunteer
    Twin Counties Humane Society
    Virginia
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 07-03-2025 07:13 AM

    Hi! I'm involved with a community collaborative in mid-Michigan that is working on this same type of programming. We are currently in the research phase to see what already exists that we can learn from. I will share back our findings if they are relevant! 



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    Alycia Norton
    President
    PALS of PAWS in Saginaw County
    MI
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 07-07-2025 11:54 AM

    Hi,

    I'm located a few hours away in Asheville, NC and I work for a non-profit that holds the county contract so we act as the municipal shelter.  We started our Community Solutions Department in 2015. If you have any specific questions feel free to email me at eenstrom@ashevillehumane.org



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    Elsa Enstrom
    Helpline Coordinator
    Asheville Humane Society
    NC
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 07-07-2025 01:43 PM

    I would still check with nonprofits about their SOP's, because chances are they are probably working with a government shelter.

    I would recommend reaching out to Dallas Pets Alive!, DogsMatter (Dallas), and Pawster (based in Nashville), as far as nonprofits. For shelters, I know Metro Nashville Animal Care & Control and Williamson County Animal Center (Franklin, TN) both work with crisis fosters to some degree.



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    Sarah Fuqua
    Director
    The Bobo Fund
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Safety Net Programs

    Posted 07-08-2025 06:47 AM

    Hello all!

    I'm the manager of Atlanta Humane Society's Pets in Crisis Support Program, a safety net foster program (which recently acquired a stand-alone crisis foster org called Paws Between Homes, which I helped launch).  

    For Chandler and anyone else running, researching, or preparing to launch a crisis foster program, whether public or private, I want to let you know that there's an informal group of us around the country (and in Canada!) who have a listserv and monthly meetings to discuss what we're doing, troubleshoot, and brainstorm.  If you're interested in joining, message me directly and I'll add you to the listserv!  It's a great group.

    Cole Thaler



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    Cole Thaler
    Manager, Pets in Crisis Support Program
    Atlanta Humane Society
    GA
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    Original Message


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