Evlutin f the Animal Welfare Mvement Survey Overview This survey was distributed by the Sciety f Animal Welfare Administratrs, American Sciety fr the Preventin f Cruelty t Animals, Canadian Federatin f Humane Scieties, and The Humane Sciety f the United States. Our field has made tremendus strides ver the past few decades, dramatically increasing lifesaving and slashing euthanasia rates. Currently there exist ppulatin disparities acrss regins where sme still face crushing intake while thers find themselves with unused capacity and struggling t meet their cmmunities demand fr pets t adpt. Regardless f where rganizatins and cmmunities currently lie n that spectrum, at sme pint all will be faced with questins arund identity, fcus & sustainability. This survey was designed t explre the current state f animal sheltering in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Thse rganizatins and cmmunities enjying the greatest success can and must reach ut t supprt and elevate thers. It is increasingly imprtant that the animal welfare and animal care & cntrl industries identify changes that we can and shuld expect in shelter animal ppulatins, perating mdels, and messaging t the public. The industry must then cmbine effrts t implement backstps t secure success and avid ging backwards. 249 animal welfare and animal care & cntrl rganizatins respnded t the survey. D E M O G R A P H I C S A N D S E R V I C E S Descriptin f Organizatin 23.24% Gvernment Animal Services 24.65% Animal Shelter with a Gvernment Cntract 28.87% Animal Shelter withut a Gvernment Cntract 1.41% Animal Rescue with a Gvernment Cntract 14.79% Animal Rescue withut a Gvernment Cntract 7.04% Other (Regulatry bdy; Animal rights activist; Animal welfare educatin rganizatin; Wildlife rehabilitatin center; Gvernment fish and wildlife; University veterinary medicine; Lw cst spay/neuter, veterinary care and utreach; Animal shelter cnsultant; Shelter preventin; High vlume spay/neuter and wellness clinic) www.sawanetwrk.rg 1
Lcatin 91.17% U.S. (227) 8.03% Canada (20) 0.80% Australia (2) U.S. 0.80% Alabama (2) 0% Alaska 2.41% Arizna (6) 0.80% Arkansas (2) 4.02% Califrnia (10) 2.01% Clrad (5) 2.01% Cnnecticut (5) 1.21% DC (3) 0% Delaware 3.61% Flrida (9) 0.40% Gergia (1) 0% Hawaii 0% Idah 2.81% Illinis (7) 2.81% Tennessee (7) 5.22% Texas (13) 0% Utah Canada 0.40% Alberta (1) 0.40% British Clumbia (1) 0.40% Manitba (1) Australia 0.80% New Suth Wales (2) 1.61% Indiana (4) 0.80% Iwa (2) 1.21% Kansas (3) 1.61% Kentucky (4) 0.40% Luisiana (1) 0.80% Maine (2) 1.21% Maryland (3) 2.41% Massachusetts (6) 2.01% Michigan (5) 2.41% Minnesta (6) 0% Mississippi 4.02% Missuri (10) 1.21% Mntana (3) 0.80% Nebraska (2) 0.80% Vermnt (2) 2.41% Virginia (6) 3.21% Washingtn (8) 5.22% Ontari (13) 0.80% Quebec (2) 0.40% Saskatchewan (1) 0.40% Nevada (1) 0.40% New Hampshire (1) 2.01% New Jersey (5) 1.21% New Mexic (3) 5.22% New Yrk (13) 4.42% Nrth Carlina (11) 0% Nrth Dakta 2.41% Ohi (6) 2.01% Oklahma (5) 3.21% Oregn (8) 2.81% Pennsylvania (7) 0.40% Rhde Island (1) 1.21% Suth Carlina (3) 0% Suth Dakta 0.40% West Virginia (1) 1.61% Wiscnsin (4) 0.80% Wyming (2) 0.40% N prvince (1) D yu expect adptin t be yur primary fcus in ten years? 63.80% Yes 15.77% N 20.43% Nt sure Cmments Pet retentin Cmmunity resurces and supprt Managed intake Increased reclaims Safety net fr lder r medically / behavirally challenged animals Transprt Rehming, return t wner Humane educatin Cruelty investigatins Intake diversin Imprt highly adptable animals www.sawanetwrk.rg 2
D O G F O C U S D yu think yur dg intake will cntinue t decline at the same rate (r abut 3% per year r mre) cuntrywide? 22.75% Yes and mre quickly 32.80% Yes and equal t the natinal rate 13.23% Yes and slwer than the natinal rate 14.81% N 16.40% Nt sure Cmments Nrth versus suth variances May hinge n animal transprts May nt decrease based n managed intake and increased reclaims Implemented turn-away plicies Areas resistant t spay/neuter Need mre emphasis n enfrcing laws Educatin needed Hinges n accessibility f veterinary care and affrdable pet friendly husing Many fster based rescued are starting up Mre transprted dgs has led t mre wner surrenders, behaviral issues, and senir animals needing medical care Need mre affrdable spay/neuter Increased emphasis n pr-active initiatives and pet retentin Shelters full f pit-mixes Full but cannt meet pace f cmmunity needs fr different breeds f dgs If dg intake is declining in yur regin, what d yu think is the cause, chsing all that yu think apply? 79.47% Dg ppulatin is being reduced by greater prevalence f spay/neuter services 38.41% Bnds between families and their dgs are strnger 32.45% Veterinary and behavir supprt are mre readily available 27.81% Owners are surrendering their dg t agencies ther than mine 18.54% Greater cmpliance with lcal laws 10.60% Families are acquiring fewer dgs 9.27% All f the abve Cmments Puppies are less ppular than befre Peple are lking t save a dg, and therefre, they are mre willing t adpt an lder dg r a dg that has behaviral r health issues Rehming is happening thrugh scial media and peer t peer appraches Lcal laws are imprving s that interventin can be imprved Managed intake and increased reclaims Prgressive shelter interventin prgrams Less 'backyard' r accidental breeding Mre interest in adpting frm a rescue than frm a pet stre Mre rental husing accepting pets Surrender preventin in underserved areas Direct cmmunity utreach Lts f new rescues Strng lcal ecnmy and higher educatin level leads t mre peple spay/neuter and prvide ther medical/behaviral care Mre aggressive dgs www.sawanetwrk.rg 3
Evlutin f surrender preventin and safety net services If yur rganizatin admitted half as many dgs in 2027, hw wuld yur rganizatin change, chsing all that apply? 37.65% Adptin revenue wuld decrease dramatically 45.88% Our length f stay wuld increase due t difficult t place animals 26.47% Our rganizatin wuld n lnger be primarily a place t get a pet 63.53% We wuld fcus n ways t stay relevant in ur cmmunity 52.94% We wuld n lnger primarily prvide an adptin facility, but prvide cmmunity utreach prgrams Cmments Humane educatin and cmmunity Prgrams fr senir dgs engagement twards humane initiatives Prvide utreach services such as pet chw Subsidized spay/neuter prgrams pantries, educatinal classes, TNR Rehabilitatin fr behavir Cntracting sheltering services t the lcal Imprt dgs frm places that need help nnprfit Cntinue fcus n animal cntrl functins Self-generated revenue (pet crematins/pet Children s prgrams lss, dg behavir training, retail, space Pet wellness and pet retentin prgrams rental, public educatin prgrams) Pet resurce center Add a sanctuary functin and take Urban wildlife triage, cats, small animals abandned pets with mre serius Offer vaccine and micrchip clinics behaviral and medical prblems Adpter educatin Mre advcacy fr farm animals Expand inmate/shelter dg training Strengthen bnds prgram Educatinal prgrams in schls Develp prgrams t prvide shelter dgs fr thse wh need a service dg (i.e. PTSD, Increase capacity t help with disasterrelated events Autism, Epilepsy, Senir dgs) Breeding certificatin. Prduce directries and tips t find a reputable breeder Assuming a 50% decline in dg intake ten years frm nw, hw will yu address the impact? Assist mre rescue Ztherapy Acquire dgs frm ut f state r cuntry Increase transprt effrts Expand cmmunity utreach prgrams Fcus n animals in emergency situatins Mdel after cmmunity plicing Pet fd assistance Behavir and training, pet retentin, and accessible veterinary care Shift fcus frm pet driven t nn-pet e.g. wildlife Mve existing resurces fr dgs t cats Wellness cnsults; redesign dg space t Biting preventin accmmdate small animals Preventin inspectins Include what steps yu have already taken t prepare fr the decline in dgs. Mbile spay/neuter services TNR calitins www.sawanetwrk.rg 4
Cmmunity netwrk t help ALL animals in ur cmmunity Safety net prgram t increase pet retentin Behavir center and training prgram t help address mre difficult t place pets Cnvert dg kennels t cat kennels Investigate additinal revenue streams t cunter the decline in adptin and reclaim fees Fd pantry, veterinary care assistance and dg training fr the public Spay & neuter prgram fr feral cats Grming Emergency medical care Mre services fr feral / cmmunity cats Imprt dgs frm ther lcatins Develp wrking relatinships with the lcal Kennel Club t share ur lve f dgs and ensure respnsible breeding cntinues Assist peple in crisis situatin such as dmestic vilence s they can keep their pets; ffer remedial services and lw cst neutering Rescue & Rehab Prgram - basically a rescue transfer prgram, where we wrk with a cllabrative grup f rescues and shelters t transfer Has yur rganizatin s current per-animal investment (staff, ther resurces) in sheltering hmeless dgs grwn, declined, r stayed the same in recent years? 64.61% Cst per animal has grwn 6.74% Cst per animal has declined 28.65% Cst per animal has remained abut the same Hw has yur rganizatin s current length f stay fr dgs changed? 8.00% Increased dramatically 18.29% Increased smewhat 9.71% Increased slightly 20.57% Has nt changed 12.57% Deceased slightly 22.29% Decreased smewhat 8.57% Decreased dramatically Other than cst r length f stay r bth, what ther impacts might we expect after the decline? Medical and behavir issue dgs Mre cmmunity utreach Clsure f facilities Greater need fr training/behavir staffing Mving services ut f physical lcatins and vlunteers and int the cmmunity (a shift in where peple acquire dgs) Limited enfrcement and educatin fcus (cmmunity plicing apprach t humane Type f dgs we will have available fr law) adptin will be less desirable Mre cats Mre f an emphasis n S/N/R prgramming Less abuse, mre gvernmental and scietal awareness Increased HV/HQ/ accessible spay/neuter Fewer animals euthanized N stray hlding fr cats (unless they have Mre elderly animals surrendered ID) Less ft traffic in the shelter will require Wellness center fr accessible veterinary care mre ingenuity t remain relevant in the cmmunity www.sawanetwrk.rg 5
Transprting frm farther away need t cmpletely re-frame ur messaging; Prviding mre "scial service" type prgrams fcused n keeping pets in hmes mre versight will be needed t ensure breeding is being dne respnsibly (care and Need strict laws t reduce backyard treatment, licensing) breeders and puppy mills A need t redefine ur messaging fr Less all vlunteer rescue grups as the need fundraising and cnstituent engagement fr fster hmes decreases Re-alignment f vlunteer needs, psitins, Increasing cmpetitin between shelters and rescues (including fr dnatins) prgrams decrease in funding fr municipal shelters r thse with municipal cntracts Need fr increasing % f revenues t cme Mre pet seekers will turn t breeders and frm charitable revenue streams AND fees fr services (earned revenues) An uptick in lcal breeding resulting in the eventual surrender f unaltered, untrained In-depth training prgram fr shelter dgs as service dgs adlescent dgs that peple are unable t manage. Mre resurces will be needed fr Readiness t serve surrendered r abandned dgs that are lder (because their pet parents are living lnger) behavir mdificatin and in-hme behavir supprt. We will als face grwing csts per animal fr veterinary care as the animals With less hmeless animals cmes less disease, less abuse, less strays, less lse surrendered are mre likely t be facing sme medical challenges. animals in the streets Mre "designer" breeds, animals with mre Change in cmmunity perceptin f the medical needs/challenges animal cntrl shelter - if we are able t Mre reginal cllabratin invest resurces t treat and rehabilitate animals Gvernment agencies funding will be cut t prgrams which will decrease resurces Imprvement in matching animals t new hmes that are available t the shelter as well as the public Expected increase in the prductivity f ur fster prgram Increase in puppy mills and pet stres selling dgs frm like breeders Cnversin f facilities t educate public n Higher adptin fees animal welfare, training f animals, turism Dnr engagement and supprt An acceptance f "respnsible breeders" in the animal welfare cmmunity - and the. D yu think a decline in dg intake verall will result in mre mergers between shelters, rescues, r ther service prviders? 59.64% Yes 40.36% N Cmments (yes) The general idea f pling resurces will help better serve cmmunities in general as well there may be less need fr the number f agencies Shelters have already began t wrk clsely in the transfer f dgs frm mre verppulated shelters t thse wh have lwer intake numbers. Many rescues cntinue t face verppulatin issues due t their mre rigrus adptin prcess www.sawanetwrk.rg 6
Hpefully mre merging f nnprfits with animal cntrl. Wuld nt need t maintain all f the kennel space Cllabratin based n specializatin Smaller grups will nt have the resurces t perate withut merging In rder t make the best use f time, mney, services unless everyne is able t find their new niche There is already redundancy f services as animal numbers decrease this will becme a larger issue Fewer brick and mrtar shelters needed, mre resurce centers By merging, grups can cmbine the best f what they d and can ffer t the public, thus keeping the public interested in acquiring animals frm shelters; and seeing us as the leading resurce in the area n animal-related issues Cmbining sheltering t place harder t adpt, mre resurce intense animals Centralized adptin facility results in increase in variety and cnsumer cnvenience Cmments (N) Gvernment agencies may likely cntract ut the sheltering but remain in enfrcement Fr the less business-minded rganizatins; mre discrd and cmpetitin We serve nly ur cunty Many shelters are sle prviders in their cmmunities In my experience, peple in these rganizatins d nt wrk well tgether Areas f service wuld be t large Differences in utlk pprtunities t find ther types f wrk There remains a deep divide between "n kill" and pen admissins Difference in missin/values If yu prvide ther services fr dgs such as spay/neuter, educatin, investigatins, etc. which wuld yu rate as yur highest pririties, and chse up t five pririties? 72.94% Subsidized r free spay/neuter 66.47% Humane Educatin 63.53% Outreach t underserved ppulatins 48.24% Safety Net / Intake Diversin Prgrams 43.53% Cruelty investigatins 35.29% Subsidized r free primary pet care 33.53% Fcus n / Imprve regulatins r legislatin rdinance 26.47% Increase husing ptins fr renters with pets What d yu view as yur mst difficult t place dgs, and chse up t three? 80.70% Behavirally challenged animals 13.45% Large breeds 51.46% Pit Bull type dgs 11.11% Overabundance f ne breed 33.33% Medically challenged animals 1.75% Nt Sure 24.56% Geriatric dgs Cmments Pit Bull type dgs are banned Large breed with behavir prblems Breed desn't matter as much as having t many f ne www.sawanetwrk.rg 7
We transfer many adptable animals t ther pen-admissin shelters Bullies due t husing issues & because they cme in the prest physical & mental state f all ur intakes Overabundance f ne breed Pit Bull type dgs Egyptian baladis Staffrdshire Terriers. Behavir issues are by far the mst difficult t vercme Our Hspice Fster prgram is helping with the geriatric and medically challenged animals (the harder the stry, the quicker the adptin) Cnhunds / Hunting Hunds / Hunds Chihuahua and Chihuahua-mixes Mixed breeds C A T F O C U S D yu think cat intake will cntinue t decline at the same rate (r abut 3% per year r mre) cuntrywide? 19.39% Yes and mre quickly 18.18% Yes and equal t natinal rate 15.15% Yes and slwer than the natinal rate 35.15% N 12.12% Nt sure Cmments TNR/Cmmunity Cat prgrams have a significant impact Cncerned abut a backlash t friendly cmmunity cats as cmmunities with n shelters that accept them will seek ut shelters wh will Intake diversin fr cmmunity cats is catching n quickly Free raming cat ppulatin is nt decreasing as fast as pet ppulatin Transferred-in cats is grwing Mre cnsistent TNR and access t high vlume S/N clinics are still needed in sme areas Harder t rehme adults Cat intake is nt declining in ur cmmunity, there is insufficient high vlume spay and neuter in this cmmunity Increased fcus n practive utreach and pet wner assistance If cat intake is declining in yur regin, what d yu think is the cause, chsing all that apply? 69.77% Shelter / neuter return and ther cmmunity cat prgrams 68.77% Cat ppulatin is being reduced by greater prevalence f spay/neuter services 17.05% Veterinary and behavir supprt are mre readily available 14.73% Owners are surrendering their cat t agencies ther than mine 4.65% Families are acquiring fewer cats 4.65% All f the abve 13.18% Nt sure www.sawanetwrk.rg 8
Cmments Changed intake plicy We nly take in sick/injured cats and few wner surrenders Cats are being seen as 'imprtant'...like dgs Lw cst s/n prgrams in place in ur area Preventin prgrams as an alternative t surrender TNR and S/N are yielding fewer kittens, cats in shelters, and thse fund injured r killed Rehming via scial media Strng lcal ecnmy allws peple t get their cats altered if they acquired them frm Shelters are nt accepting cats, therefre intake is ging dwn - but the cats are still ut there needing help a surce ther than a shelter/rescue that nly places altered animals Encuragement t leave sme strays that are healthy and nt in distress t be left in the cmmunity, and mre indr nly cats Cmmunity utreach and direct assistance t pet wners in need We are n lnger picking up healthy utdr cats Safety net/surrender preventin If yur rganizatin had half as many cats in 2027 (ten years frm nw), hw wuld yur rganizatin change, chsing all that wuld apply? 50.35% We wuld fcus n ways t stay relevant in ur cmmunity 19.15% Our length f stay wuld increase due t difficult t place animals 12.77% Adptin revenue wuld decrease dramatically 10.64% We wuld n lnger prvide an animal shelter, but prvide cmmunity 7.09% Our rganizatin wuld n lnger primarily a place t get a pet utreach prgrams Cmments Mre fcus n cmmunity engagement and educatin Safety net services and cmmunity pet help/retentin resurce center Subsidized spay/neuter prgrams Ordinance enfrcement Investigate cruelty and neglect Reduce agency size Fcus n ppulatin cntrl TNR spay neuter Reach ut t municipal shelters t ffer help Cmmunity supprt Fcus n animal Cntrl Humane educatin children s prgram: be mre inclusive f animals ther than dgs and cats Advcacy Offer mre micrchip and vaccine clinics Fcus mre n ur pet fd pantry and cmmunity educatin Accmmdate mre litters f kittens Add feral/cmmunity cat prgrams utside f TNR Educatin prgrams, spay/neuter services, medical assistance, prgrams fr senirs Cat sanctuary fr difficult t place increasingly lder cats Pet health clinics in neighbrhds, affrdable S/N, educatin and animal advcacy Fcus effrts n cmmunity based prgramming Transprting mre cats int ur area We want t start a cat cafe in the cattery t draw extra attentin t ur shelter www.sawanetwrk.rg 9
Assuming a 50% decline in cat intake in ten years, hw will yu address the impact? Mdify adptin and admitting fee Lk t transfer in cats structures Increase prgrams assisting feline pet Fcus n medical treatment, behavir treatment wners t keep their pets and ffer services, including behaviral help, lw-cst wellness Resurce t address animal issues in ur etc. cmmunity; mdel after cmmunity plicing Better husing; divert resurces t Safety net services and cmmunity resurce center cmmunity cat prgrams with city gvernment and with public; less illness, Fcus n cmmunity utreach prgrams healthier cats fr adptin including spay/neuter prgrams t ensure the intake numbers d nt rise Fcus n transitinal ppulatin, thse needing temprary assistance with husing Fcus n TNR and attempt t address Becme a barding facility rdinances that prevent this prgram frm being implemented Mre fcus n supprt services and prmting the human/animal bnd Fcus n the pet needs in the Partner with municipal shelters cmmunity...humane care, medical, etc. Fcus n utreach wrk and the cat café Fcus n behaviral help t keep cats in the hme Include what steps yu have already taken. Care fr all the nenate ppulatin f kittens TNR Subsidized spay/neuter Behavir center and ffer cmmunity training classes; safety net services; utreach t underserved ppulatins; grwing ur S/N/R prgram and s/n services Educatinal visit in schls Educate the prer ppulatin Expanded clinic peratins Emergency medical care fr injured animals Implement intake diversin prgram fr cmmunity cats Wrk very clsely with TNVR grup and lcal lw cst spay/neuter clinic Transprt cats int ur area in winter Veterinary care subsidies fr lw incme families Accepting healthy cats frm ther jurisdictins Capacity fr care - reduced verall number f cages Behavir htline; fster pprtunities Managed intake Lw Cst Spay Neuter Prgram - evaluating what marketing methd wrks best here, and what the primary mtivatr is fr peple C.A.T. (Cmmunity/Cat Assistance Team) t prvide alternatives t intake and supprt Mbile spay/neuter clinics that prvide lw r n cst sterilizatin surgeries t residents and ther shelters in the area Pet Chw Pantry Cmmunity cats pilt Cmmunity pet clinics Expanded enrichment and behavir mdificatin prgrams Installed utdr enclsed chain link fencing rm s cats can get safely utside We already have a Ringwrm Islatin facility, special adptin areas and prgrams fr FIV and FELV cats as well as grup rms and a Fraidy Cat prgram www.sawanetwrk.rg 10
Has yur rganizatin s per-animal investment (staff, ther resurces) in sheltering hmeless cats grwn, declined, r stayed the same in recent years? 63.69% Cst per animal has grwn 6.37% Cst per animal has declined 29.94% Cst per animal has remained abut the same Hw has yur rganizatin s length f stay fr cats changed? 3.77% Increased dramatically 11.32% Deceased slightly 17.61% Increased smewhat 18.24% Decreased smewhat 12.58% Increased slightly 10.06% Decreased dramatically 26.42% Has nt changed Other than cst r length f stay r bth, what ther impacts might we expect? Imprve care with better resurces per cat We will cntinue t grw ur reputatin Less need fr S/N and services as a "center' rather than a Shelter clsures shelter, fcusing n prviding supprt Transitin services ut f physical building services t cat wner and caregivers and int the cmmunity Grwth in cat breeding Primary fcus will shift t safety net and cmmunity resurce prgramming See less gvernment run rganizatins perating Mre gvernment resurces fr pr and underserved flks The strict spay and neuter laws will need t be lessened Mre behaviral wrk needed fr under scialized kittens Better husing, mre rm fr duble cmpartments with fewer cats, which = less Increased illness due t stress and LOS, difficulty remaining relevant in the stress = less illness = less euthanasia fr health cmmunity Reduced bm in kitten seasns Need fr mre fster hmes fr under aged and under scialized cats Impund/Animal Cntrl cntract cmpensatin Ding mre treatments and diagnstics Increase in medical, behaviral, and husing Mre services fr cat pet wners resurces fr harder t place cats, including Mre difficult t place cats because nw we geriatric cats and wrking cats have the rm t try and rehabilitate Mergers Increase in individuals seeking cats frm ther surces Frustratin frm public n available adptable cats Less disease Harding cases creating an unexpected need t intake large numbers f cats D yu think a decline in cat intake verall will result in mre mergers between shelters, rescues, r ther service prviders? 42.22% Yes 28.15% N 22.22% Nt sure 8.15% Other www.sawanetwrk.rg 11
Cmments (Yes) There will be fewer needed and a better pling f resurces will imprve care S many adptin rganizatins are nt sustainable and nt all will make the shift successfully Fr business-minded rganizatins; mre mergers Shelters have cntinued t partner in the transfer f cats frm shelters at capacity t thse with lwer intake numbers Cmments (N) Fr nn-business-minded rganizatins; mre cnflict and cmpetitin We serve nly ur cunty N ther rganizatins in ur area Peple still wn t like municipal shelters Each shelter/rganizatin will mrph int prviding the services they excel at frm Many rescues may cease t exist and sme shelters wh nly fcus n adptins may clse if they d nt reinvent themselves and stay relevant Cllabratin due t specializatin Wrking with rganizatins t bring cats frm under serviced areas Already redundancy f services Smaller rescues will merge with larger r clse fstering, adptins, spay/neuter, veterinary services, TNR, etc. Each rganizatin has different gals and addresses different issues in the cmmunity N pririties t handle cats by gvernment If yu prvide ther services fr cats such as spay/neuter, educatin, investigatins, etc. which wuld yu rate as yur highest pririties, and chse up t five? 75.84% Subsidized r free spay/neuter 63.76% Shelter / neuter return and ther cmmunity cat prgrams 58.39% Humane Educatin 51.68% Outreach t underserved ppulatins 42.28% Safety Net / Intake Diversin Prgrams 36.91% Subsidized r free preventative health care 35.57% Cruelty investigatins 32.21% Fcus n / Imprve regulatins r legislatin rdinance Cmments Free r reduced micr-chipping fr all pets Placement f cats fr rdent cntrl Supprt in educating prviders f cat shelter services t help them imprve their services Keep cats indrs Educating animal shelter prfessinals abut what happens t the cats they abandn and/r turn away What d yu view as yur mst difficult t place cats, chsing up t three? 78.62% Behavirally challenged cats 57.24% Medically challenged cats 54.48% Geriatric cats 3.45% Overabundance f ne breed 0.69% Nt Sure www.sawanetwrk.rg 12
Cmments Middle aged T many f the same clr Owner surrender cats with severe medical and behavir prblems. Black cats Wild cats/barn cats are difficult fr us t rehme DSH Nenatal kittens Need mre educatin n FIV and FELV adptins Huse siling cats Adult cats generally C R O S S I N G T H E B R I N K Applying hw clse each f the fllwing is t being at r near zer euthanasia f animals (ther than thse wh are suffering r whse behavir puts peple r ther pets at risk), where wuld yu place yur rganizatin, yur cmmunity and yur state/prvince? Yur ORGANIZATION Yur COMMUNITY Yur STATE/PROVINCE Nt clse Making prgress in that directin On the verge f the Brink Have recently reached that pint Have been past this pint fr sme time 6.06% 16.67% 14.39% 15.91% 46.97% 15.15% 28.03% 25.76% 14.39% 16.67% 30.08% 47.37% 15.04% 5.26% 2.26% What language have yu used with success r wuld yu use t cmmunicate the Brink? Amng the sheltering cmmunity: Live release Placing all healthy and behavirally sund pets Zer euthanasia f all healthy and treatable animals Psitive utcmes fr pets Euthanasia nly where necessary because an animal is suffering r behavir pses t great a risk t the cmmunity N kill, n cage, animals live in rm, great medical treatment Lifesaving Shelter/Lifesaving Cmmunity Amng the rescue cmmunity: Same language used in sheltering cmmunity (see abve) We are an pen n suffering shelter Ending the pet verppulatin prblem Placement rate instead f euthanasia rate Teamwrk, needing t wrk tgether G2Z, Getting t Zer 97% live placement Five Freedms, eliminate suffering (aviding institutinal harding) D nt euthanize fr time r space but accept every animal that cmes t ur dr Raw data/statistics Save rate We're partners. Let's make it easy t wrk tgether! www.sawanetwrk.rg 13
T supprters and cnstituents Same language used in sheltering cmmunity (see abve) Reaching ur ultimate gal Dnate The need will never g away, need cntinuus supprt This is a safe place t bring animals Prtect animal welfare and prevent suffering T the general public r media Same language used in sheltering cmmunity (see abve) Help raise awareness fr feral cats statewide we need sanctuaries Spay neuter is the nly slutin t pet ppulatin Saving lives, lving treatment, wrthy cause Striving t place all safe adptable animals Because f their supprt, ur rganizatin n lnger euthanizes fr time r space cnstraints and has nt dne s fr many years We are able t save even thse animals with significant medical and behaviral needs Finding hmes fr all the healthy dgs and cats in ur care, and making mre treatable animals better Successful remving prgrams Underfunded Less n rates and metrics, mre alng the lines f mre help fr harder t adpt animals What language d yu feel shuld be avided when cmmunicating abut the Brink and the future f sheltering t thse unfamiliar with it? T the sheltering cmmunity Being careful nt t hurt ther rganizatins that aren t at The Brink Humane scieties are becming irrelevant Speak the truth, dn't try t mislead peple Anything divisive- us vs them Prblem slved Death rw The prblem is fixed (we need t emphasize the prblem has changed) That there will be n need fr animal shelters in the future Rescue We shuld never refer t anther rganizatin as a "kill" shelter "Save them all" Pund; dg catcher N kill (x 53) Amng the rescue cmmunity Same respnses as t the sheltering cmmunity T supprters and cnstituents With yur supprt we have slved pet hmelessness Cmmunity cats Speak the truth, dn't try t mislead peple Only as a last resrt All is well prblem slved Prblem slved Zer Euthanasia Death Rw Save them all www.sawanetwrk.rg 14
Sanctuary, 90% gal Anything that declares cmplete victry culd undermine effrts t help create a truly humane cmmunity Pund; dg catcher T the general public r media N kill (x 59) Cmmunity cats Managed admissin (the practice, nt the term) "Shrtage" f adptable pets Speak the truth, dn't try t mislead peple We have slved the prblem, n mre wrries Zer Euthanasia Death rw Save them all Anything indicating there are n lnger hmeless pets Let the breeding begin! Pund; dg catcher If yur rganizatin is at r beynd the Brink and yu are transprting animals frm grups wh are nt, what are yu ding, r plan t d, t supprt yur surce cmmunities and help them crss the Brink? 50.54% Assist with csts f physical transprt 41.94% Prvide supplies r spnsr needed items 40.86% Prvide assistance with csts t prepare animals fr transprt 36.56% Prvide funds t supprt spay/neuter f the public's animals in surce cmmunities 35.48% Prvide nsite training and assistance 34.41% Swap staff/bring staff frm surce shelter t learn yur plicies and prcedures 20.43% Help with csts specific t heartwrm treatment 20.43% Nne f the abve 16.13% Prvide schlarships r ther training pprtunities fr surce facilities 4.30% Fund r assist with capital prjects at surce facility 3.23% All f the abve Cmments Take high risk animals frm neighbring cmmunities with space/staffing issues. Prvide surgical supprt Subsidized spay/neuter transprts t ur facility Whenever we have excess supplies we will give them t anther grup, very ften thse wh are helping hmeless peple with pet care (e.g. fd, flea & wrm treatment) Cnduct prvincial adptin, cmmunicatin initiatives and implement prvincial purchasing cllectives t reduce csts We are wrking t implement n-site training and supprt Prvide cnsultatin www.sawanetwrk.rg 15
If yur rganizatin is at r beynd the Brink, what are the biggest bstacles yu face in trying t create r build relatinships with pre- Brink rganizatins, selecting all that apply? 55.43% Cncerns abut imprting animals when nt every hmeless animal in ur lcal cmmunity is safe 47.83% Cncerns abut diseases like Heartwrm, and the expense f caring fr unhealthy transprted animals 44.57% Expense assciated with transprt 42.39% Cncerns abut behavir issues f transprted animals 28.26% Difficulty crdinating grups/transprts, lgistics 26.09% Our cmmunity/supprters feel ur resurces shuld nly be used lcally, nt shared 22.83% Imprtatin barriers - laws, regulatins that affect ur ability t help animals utside ur cmmunity 22.83% Difficulty finding partner grups 9.78% Our Bard feels ur resurces shuld nly be used lcally, nt shared Cmments Staff letting animals be transferred t us Timing: kitten seasn is hard n everyne Funding We als need t examine the welfare f animals being transprted great lengths We have nt yet faced barriers assciated with regulatin and I am cncerned that if applicatin f the best practice des nt becme wide spread we culd face thse barriers Our state requires health certificates fr all ut-f-state transfers Funding beynd daily peratins Many ptential partners are reluctant t transfer t an pen admissin agency, als behaviral assessment is a challenge and many fster based rescue grups in ur state will take any animal regardless f behavir If yur rganizatin is pre- Brink and yu still regularly face the euthanasia f animals (ther than thse wh are suffering r whse behavir puts peple r ther pets at risk), what tls culd pst- Brink: rganizatins prvide that wuld be mst helpful in getting yur rganizatin acrss the Brink? 75.00% Prvide funds t supprt spay/neuter f the public's animals in surce cmmunities 47.50% Assist with csts f physical transprt 40.00% Prvide nsite training and assistance 37.50% Fund r assist with capital prjects at surce facility 35.00% Prvide assistance with csts t prepare animals fr transprt 32.00% Prvide supplies r spnsr needed items 27.50% Swap staff/bring staff frm surce shelter t learn yur plicies and prcedures 25.00% Prvide schlarships r ther training pprtunities fr surce facilities 25.00% Help with csts specific t heartwrm treatment Cmments Dn't transprt frm ther grups Prvide a lcal fster netwrk, medical rehab Taking in animals with mre serius behavir issues r taking animals withut a marketable stry www.sawanetwrk.rg 16
Take Chihuahuas Micrchipping and much larger fcus n reuniting animals with their wners Finding transprt partners t accept vetted cats fr adptin High vlume, lw cst s/n clinic (we have nt fund anyne t actually run ne even if the mney were there) Mre rescue, r pst-brink, rganizatins t intake pets frm here Cnvince upper management that change is needed If yur rganizatin is pre- Brink, and yu still regularly face the euthanasia f animals (ther than thse wh are suffering r whse behavir puts peple r ther pets at risk), what are the biggest bstacles yu think prevent pst- Brink rganizatins frm helping supprt yu t als pass the Brink? 51.35% Cncerns abut imprting animals when nt every hmeless animal in ur lcal cmmunity is safe 51.35% Difficulty finding partner grups 45.95% Expense assciated with transprt 40.54% Cncerns abut diseases like Heartwrm, and the expense f caring fr unhealthy transprted animals 37.84% Cncerns abut behavir issues f transprted animals 37.84% Difficulty crdinating grups/transprts, lgistics 27.03% Cmmunity/supprters feel ur resurces shuld nly be used lcally, nt shared 16.22% Bard feels ur resurces shuld nly be used lcally, nt shared 13.51% Imprtatin barriers - laws, regulatins that affect ur ability t help animals utside ur cmmunity Cmments Unin barriers fr municipalities Having a partner grup yu knw and trust Shelters nt interested in transferring in Pit Bulls and ther mre difficult t place animals When every grup has successfully passed the Brink, it will be crucial that we have apprpriate backstp/prtectin measures in place t ensure we dn t ever find urselves euthanizing animals (ther than thse wh are suffering r whse behavir puts peple r ther pets at risk) again. What d yu think are the mst critical backstp measures t place ur fcus? 80.62% Enhanced fcus n specialized ppulatins like underserved cmmunities 75.19% Strng puppy mill/brker laws 73.64% Enhanced wner safety net prgrams 68.22% Strnger fcus n eliminating external barriers t pet-keeping (e.g. eliminating rental husing restrictins) 56.59% Laws regulating r prhibiting pet stre sales 49.61% Restrictins n private breeding/supprt f respnsible breeders 37.98% Enhanced ACO training and supprt 29.46% Eliminatin f barriers t transprt www.sawanetwrk.rg 17
Cmments Respect private, hbby breeders wh are breed ambassadrs and nt backyard breeders r prfit-seeking breeders Imprved educatin/priritizatin f wner respnsibility and educatin, humane educatin ACO training, breaking dwn barriers with plice departments and unins. Getting gd peple int ACO departments Spay/Neuter Prgrams Prgrams like HSUS Pets fr Life and grants fr Pet Over Ppulatin are the best lngterm investments t change the landscape Prgrams t supprt pet retentin Behaviral supprt fr sheltered animals What language wuld yu use if yu were writing a "We're DOING it" press release t raise awareness abut the Brink? Where might yu pint attentin t change cmmunity fcus and build relevance fr yur rganizatin s new directin (e.g. pets living in pverty, funding fr utreach wrk, funding fr internatinal effrts t help animals elsewhere)? We are ding it! Thanks t ur cmmunity wh cares, intake is drastically dwn! Althugh ur cmmunity has rallied arund the need t help save the lives f dgs thers are nt s frtunate. We are nw reaching ut t the cmmunity t help us help thers. This will be an endeavr t help thse pets that live in pverty and whse lving wners need help with spay/neuter, vaccinatins, fd, educatin and all arund care f the dgs in their area. Nw, we are extending ur effrts t every pet in ur cmmunity Creating a humane cmmunity where healthy/treatable pets are safe Wrking tward a cmmunity that inspires cmpassin fr all We are mre ptimistic than ever that very sn; there will be a lving hme, waiting fr every hmeless animal The need fr affrdable veterinarian care, access t behaviral slutins and prgrams targeting underserved cmmunities Putting a different spin n animal cntrl by prviding gd/healthy animals t adpt ut/getting peple in ur building Lifesaving shelter/cmmunity Cmmunity fcus twards keeping pets in hmes Fcus n the human-animal bnd and supprting strategies t keep pets happy and healthy. After the US and Canada cllectively have passed the Brink, there will still be a demand fr puppies, kittens, and ther pets. Hw d yu anticipate yur cmmunity will meet this need? D yu see a rle fr shelters/rescue in wrking with respnsible breeders t meet the need? What can we d as a field t safeguard against irrespnsible breeding? Educatin and advcacy with the public lbbying fr better gvernment cntrl and regulatin Tighten legislatin n puppy mill/backyard breeders. Educate public abut reputable breeders Help shelters implement feral prgrams in all states Breeders shuld be licensed and there will always be dgs that peple need t rehme Success will change ur industry. Shifting accidental birth t planned wuld be a www.sawanetwrk.rg 18
strng educatinal effrt. Plus a knwledge f genetics Becme a surce f adptins fr pets frm ther shelters. Increase cmmunity utreach fr animals in pverty Certifying humane breeders Prvide lw cst spay/neuter and vaccinatin services that are easily accessible t lw incme ppulatins, pet friendly rentals, etc. Becme a surce f adptins fr pets frm ther shelters. Increase cmmunity utreach fr animals in pverty Certifying humane breeders Prvide lw cst spay/neuter and vaccinatin services that are easily accessible t lw incme ppulatins, pet friendly rentals, etc. Shelters and rescues withut enugh animals can transitin int being cmmunity resurce centers t help with pet friendly legislatin, training, behavir cnsultatins, temprary husing fr families in transitin r needing shrt term help fr lw cst (ging int surgery, fleeing abuse situatin, etc.) Harders, dg fighting facilities, puppy mills and animal abuse cases get greater publicity Becme a surce f adptins fr pets frm ther shelters. Increase cmmunity utreach fr animals in pverty Certifying humane breeders Prvide lw cst spay/neuter and vaccinatin services that are easily accessible t lw incme ppulatins, pet friendly rentals, etc. Shelters and rescues withut enugh animals can transitin int being cmmunity resurce centers t help with pet friendly legislatin, training, behavir cnsultatins, temprary husing fr families in transitin r needing shrt term help fr lw cst (ging int surgery, fleeing abuse situatin, etc.) Shelters and rescues withut enugh animals can transitin int being cmmunity resurce centers t help with pet friendly legislatin, training, behavir cnsultatins, temprary husing fr families in transitin r needing shrt term help fr lw cst (ging int surgery, fleeing abuse situatin, etc.) Harders, dg fighting facilities, puppy mills and animal abuse cases get greater publicity Harders, dg fighting facilities, puppy mills and animal abuse cases get greater publicity Becme a surce f adptins fr pets frm ther shelters. Increase cmmunity utreach fr animals in pverty Certifying humane breeders Prvide lw cst spay/neuter and vaccinatin services that are easily accessible t lw incme ppulatins, pet friendly rentals, etc. Shelters and rescues withut enugh animals can transitin int being cmmunity resurce centers t help with pet friendly legislatin, training, behavir cnsultatins, temprary husing fr families in transitin r needing shrt term help fr lw cst (ging int surgery, fleeing abuse situatin, etc.) Harders, dg fighting facilities, puppy mills and animal abuse cases get greater publicity Becme a surce f adptins fr pets frm ther shelters. Increase cmmunity utreach fr animals in pverty Certifying humane breeders Prvide lw cst spay/neuter and vaccinatin services that are easily accessible t lw incme ppulatins, pet friendly rentals, etc. www.sawanetwrk.rg 19