Creating a No-Kill Community Washoe County, Nevada No More Homeless Pets Conference October 2011 Creating a No-Kill Community Washoe County, Nevada This presentation will cover: NHS & WC statistics Overview of our strategy and approach Specific policies and practices Questions October 25 28, 2012 1
Pet Adoption Statistics Pet Adoptions 2006: 4,990 pre-no-kill initiative 2007: 8,030 up 61% 3,040 more adoptions 2008: 8,635 up 7% 605 more adoptions 2009: 9,184 up 6% 549 more adoptions 2010: 9,668 up 5% 484 more adoptions 2011: 9,340 down 3% 328 fewer adoptions (admissions down 3%) Lifesaving Statistics Decreased animals losing their lives in Washoe County shelters 2007: 52% decrease 2,700 fewer dogs & cats lost their lives in 2007 than 2006. 2008: 10% decrease 2009: 27% decrease 2010: 12% decrease 2011: no change October 25 28, 2012 2
Incoming Animals Incoming Dog & Cats Year Owner Transfer 2006 5,667 1,303 2007 5,258 3,188 2008 4,809 3,750 2009 4,945 4,469 2010 4,853 5,237 2011 4,760 5,070 2011 Countywide Dog & Cat Admissions: 15,952 Incoming Animals Shelter Admissions Washoe County: 38 dogs & cats per 1,000 people National average: 14 dogs & cats per 1,000 people (Source: Animal People Newspaper) October 25 28, 2012 3
Lifesaving Statistics Countywide Save Rate (NHS and WCRAS combined) 2007: Dogs 92% Cats 78% 2008: Dogs 90% Cats 83% 2009: Dogs 90% Cats 89% 2010: Dogs 91% Cats 91% 2011: Dogs 91% Cats 91% 2012: Dogs 92% Cats 92% National Average 2009: 58% (Source: Maddie s Fund) Lifesaving Statistics Animal Deaths in Shelters per Thousand People Washoe County 2011: 3.5 animals per 1,000 residents National Average 2009: 7.8 animals per 1,000 residents (Source: Maddie s Fund) October 25 28, 2012 4
Volunteer Program Volunteers 2007 Increased from 30 to over 1,300 2008 doubled to 2,740 2011 over 7,000 Foster Homes Over 900 Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things. - Peter Drucker October 25 28, 2012 5
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Focus on Lifesaving Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions 1. Increase the number of pets leaving area shelters alive. 2. Reduce the number of pets coming into area shelters. October 25 28, 2012 6
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Increase the number of pets leaving area shelters alive. Adoptions: Setting goals Reducing fees Improving processes Making it convenient Creating fun Serving customers Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Increase the number of pets leaving area shelters alive. Partnerships: Looking past differences Working with businesses, other groups October 25 28, 2012 7
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Reduce the number of pets coming into area shelters. Keeping Pets in Homes: Animal Help Desk Involving People Finding Solutions Making Referrals Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Reduce the number of pets coming into area shelters. Trap-Neuter-Return for Feral Cats October 25 28, 2012 8
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Reduce the number of pets coming into area shelters. Spay/Neuter Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Daily priorities for staff and management: 1. Create lifesaving solutions for the animals. 2. Involve the community in our work. October 25 28, 2012 9
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions Daily priorities for staff and management: 3. Deliver quality customer service. 4. Provide excellent care to the animals. Our Keys to Success Lifesaving Impact Test October 25 28, 2012 10
Our Keys to Success Subtle Influence Our Keys to Success People Power October 25 28, 2012 11
Our Keys to Success Public Declaration Public Support Our Keys to Success "Enthusiasm is contagious. Start an epidemic. Don Ward October 25 28, 2012 12
Our Keys to Success Outreach Our Keys to Success Challenges = Opportunities October 25 28, 2012 13
Our Keys to Success Overcome Obstacles If you're trying to achieve, there will be road blocks. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan Take a cue from the animals: Stay flexible! October 25 28, 2012 14
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions 1. Increase the number of pets leaving area shelters alive. 2. Reduce the number of pets coming into area shelters. Goals Inspiring Goals October 25 28, 2012 15
Goals Celebrate Victories Our Spoof on JK Wedding Entrance Dance Adoption Entrance Dance Video 103,000 views and counting October 25 28, 2012 16
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Welcoming Atmosphere Encourage Interaction Make it Easy to Fall in Love Facilitate Bonds October 25 28, 2012 17
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Festive Feelings Make it Easy to Fall in Love Serve and Protect October 25 28, 2012 18
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Create Success Make it Easy to Fall in Love Convenient Time October 25 28, 2012 19
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Increase Exposure Off-Site Adoptions October 25 28, 2012 20
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Holiday Weekend Adoption Center at Summit Sierra Mall Make it Easy to Fall in Love Annual Pet Super Adoption Event October 25 28, 2012 21
Super Adoption Events Make it Easy to Fall in Love Make it Easy to Fall in Love Positive Impulses October 25 28, 2012 22
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Encourage Interaction Creating a Great Experience in the Shelter Cat Colonies October 25 28, 2012 23
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Adopt Me Make it Easy to Fall in Love Love and Money October 25 28, 2012 24
Make it Easy to Fall in Love Love and Money Results showed no statistical difference in the two groups attachment to the adopted cats. Make it Easy to Fall in Love Eliminate Obstacles October 25 28, 2012 25
Support Adoption Success Spot Problems, Solve Them Get the Word Out and the People In Aggressive Promotion October 25 28, 2012 26
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 27
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 28
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 29
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 30
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 31
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 32
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 33
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 34
Get the Word Out and the People In Promoting Cats Check it out on Adopt a Cat Month PSA October 25 28, 2012 35
Get the Word Out and the People In Check out our Adopt a Black Pet PSA Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 36
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In October 25 28, 2012 37
Get the Word Out and the People In Get the Word Out and the People In Home 4 the Holidays October 25 28, 2012 38
Get the Word Out and the People In Home 4 the Holidays Get the Word Out and the People In Home 4 the Holidays October 25 28, 2012 39
Get the Word Out and the People In Home 4 the Holidays Get the Word Out and the People In Home 4 the Holidays 1,200 Adoptions in 5 Weeks October 25 28, 2012 40
Challenges as Opportunities 12 hoarding cases without killing cats Challenges as Opportunities October 25 28, 2012 41
Challenges as Opportunities Cold Springs Cats Arrive Challenges as Opportunities October 25 28, 2012 42
Challenges as Opportunities Challenges as Opportunities October 25 28, 2012 43
Challenges as Opportunities Highlight Individual Pets October 25 28, 2012 44
Highlight Individual Pets Highlight Individual Pets Bigger really is better! Sure I may have a little extra junk in my trunk, but that just means more of me to love! Besides a big butt, I also have a big heart and I m willing to share all that love with you. Spend a few minutes with me and you ll fall in love faster than I can eat a can of Fancy Feast! October 25 28, 2012 45
Highlight Individual Pets You see these buns of steel? It s from all the tail wagging. I m an outgoing guy that loves swimming, playing fetch, running, biking, and did I mention running? I am a licensed Goof Ball and guaranteed to make you laugh. Highlight Individual Pets October 25 28, 2012 46
Highlight Individual Pets Save the Feral Cats Barn Cat Adoptions October 25 28, 2012 47
Save the Feral Cats Barn Cat Adoptions www.barncats.org Barn Cat Adoptions October 25 28, 2012 48
Barn Cat Adoptions Foster Care Program October 25 28, 2012 49
Foster Care Program Foster Care Program Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA s Foster Care Postcard October 25 28, 2012 50
Our Plan: Aligning Our Priorities and Actions 1. Increase the number of pets leaving area shelters alive. 2. Reduce the number of pets coming into area shelters. Animal Help Desk Last Resort October 25 28, 2012 51
Animal Help Desk Animal Help Desk Effective people are not problem-minded; they're opportunity-minded. They feed opportunities and starve problems. Steven Covey October 25 28, 2012 52
Animal Help Desk Animal Help Desk Launched in 2007 Responded to over 8,400 requests in first six months Responded to over 20,000 calls each year since. 70% success rate on adoption follow-up call issues Animal Help Desk October 25 28, 2012 53
Animal Help Desk Involve owner in solution Animal Help Desk October 25 28, 2012 54
Animal Help Desk Animal Help Desk Refer to other resources October 25 28, 2012 55
Spay/Neuter Programs Our clinic performed an average of 48 surgeries daily this summer. Our clinic also provides routine and emergency care to all the animals in the shelter, foster animals and recently Humane Research Council survey, April 2005 adopted pets with health problems. Spay/Neuter Programs NHS subsidizes over 1,200 additional spay/ neuter surgeries through other clinics each year. Humane Research Council survey, April 2005 October 25 28, 2012 56
Spay/Neuter Programs Spay/Neuter Programs October 25 28, 2012 57
TNR Promote Trap Neuter Return for Feral Cats TNR Trying to get rid of the cats has not worked. October 25 28, 2012 58
The vacuum effect: TNR When cats are removed new animals move in. Benefits of Trap-Neuter-Return 1. Saves and improves the lives of cats. 2. Stops the breeding TNR 3. Prevents the spread of rabies 4. Eliminates yowling, fighting, spraying October 25 28, 2012 59
TNR Benefits of Trap-Neuter-Return 5. Keeps rodents at bay 6. Cost effective as it prevents new animals from moving in 7. Prevents accidental removal of someone s pet 8. Supported by the general public Feral Freedom Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services First Coast No More Homeless Pets Rick DuCharme, Director October 25 28, 2012 60
Resources for Helping Feral Cats Alley Cat Allies - alleycat.org Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them. Orison Swett Marden Jack the cat protecting his yard from a visiting black bear in West Milford, NJ, June 4, 2006 October 25 28, 2012 61
Believe Contact Information: Bonney Brown, Executive Director 775-856-2000 Ext. 319 bbrown@nevadahumanesociety.org A no-kill shelter creating a no-kill community. October 25 28, 2012 62