STRATEGIES TO RETURN PETS TO THEIR HOMES

Transcription

1 STRATEGIES TO RETURN PETS TO THEIR HOMES Asheville Humane Society RTO/RTG Strategies Jennifer Brehler Director of Operations Asheville Humane Society Asheville, NC 1

2 Buncombe County, North Carolina 238,832 Human Population 2010 census 71% Urban Area 15% Living Below Poverty Line 86% White/Caucasian, 7% Black/African American, 5% Hispanic/Latino, 2% Other Tourism, No Significant Industry 660 Square Miles in Mountains of WNC Public/Private Animal Sheltering Contract Our Animal Situation 6,767 Animal Intake % Strays, 36% Owner Surrender, 4% Other 62.6% LRR % increase over 2010 LRR 49% Adult Stray Dogs RTO/RTG 6% Adult Stray Cats RTO/RTG 2

3 Proactive Lost & Found Programming Create an Atmosphere of Respect for the Owner/Guardian Immediate, Accessible, Effortless, Comforting Train Staff Interpersonal Communication Skills Breed, Age, and Gender Identification Geographic Area Strengthen Partnerships with Other Agencies Microchip Scan & Trace In the Field Proactive Lost & Found Programming Establish a Reporting System for Lost and Found Animals Maintain Daily, Perform Physical Check of Animal Inventory, Set Timeframe to Keep Reports, Accept Call In and Reports Post What To Do If You Find or Lose an Animal Information On your Website, Other Partnership Websites, Social Media, Local News Source Websites and Classifieds, Community Bulletins, etc. Use Local Government Access Channels & Communications Document, Document, Document! Celebrate Success 3

4 PSAs Lost Pet PSA with Sheriff Duncan and Chief Anderson Pet Identification PSA with Sheriff Duncan and Chief Anderson Post Photos and Information Online No Cage Photos 4

5 Post & Search Outside Resources asheville craigslist > community > lost & found Found Solid White Cat Male (Asheville NC) Date: , 12:27PM EDT [Errors when replying to ads?] Reply to: Are you missing me? I am a solid white male cat. Please if you are missing me contact Buncombe County Animal Shelter at Craigslist Websites Classifieds (Print & Online) Community Bulletins and Facebook Use Social Media 5

6 Provide Tools For Success Require, or at Least Offer Reduced Fee Microchipping for all Adoptions & RTO/RTG Provide Free, or Low Cost Personalized ID Tags and Collars Offer Lost & Found Poster Templates Involve Volunteers Walk the Talk Always Display ID!!! Don t Forget Why It Is So Important 6

7 Return to Guardian/Owner Strategies and Process at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley Ellen Taylor, Vice President of Operations 1

8 Bridgette Chesne, Director of Shelter Services Humane Society of Boulder Valley Boulder, Colorado University of Colorado Population 100, : Served 9,579 animals 2

9 1. Stray Reclaims Colorado law: 5 days impoundment 7 jurisdictions Trends 80% dogs 20% cats Two different types of Reclaims at HSBV 2. Guardian Reclaims Option to reclaim relinquished pet if HSBV is unable to rehome Phone and/or contact Two different types of Reclaims at HSBV 3

10 Our Strategy Strategies and Process Trends predict process Plan ahead! Don t wait for animal to become your property to begin diagnostics Utilize technology to promote reunions between animal and guardian Be flexible! Lenient policies save more lives Strategies and Process Our Process Stray animals are photographed h and scanned for microchip upon intake Microchips and all forms of I.D. are carefully researched and documented Early assessment of health and behavior facilitates enrichment opportunities and fast pass 4

11 Characteristics define effort Microchip or I.D. tag Collar Altered Declawed Groomed/bathed Senior/Geriatric Breed Craig s List postings Local shelters Guardian and Good Samaritan online reporting Community Board Documentation It takes a village! 5

12 Our Culture Partners with the community Every situation is unique Staff and volunteers recruited for empathy Lack judgment Empowered to make decisions From the top 6