Placer SPCA open admission shelter Annual total intake = ~4000 Annual cat intake = ~2400 For 2012: Total cat intake = 2411, adoptions = 1558 Average cat LOS: 2012 = 26.4 days Overall live release = 81% (81% for cats) 44 condos, 1 cat per condo
Made changes slowly Got staff buy in Got volunteer buy in Established a core group of 14 intake volunteers 4 of whom helped establish protocols along side key staff Developed a Fast Track scoring system
2 volunteers for 1-2 hours per day keep cats moving efficiently On line Cat Tracker Spreadsheet Spreadsheet is printed each day Highlighted and given to staff Staff does what is needed for each cat based on spreadsheet No additional staff hours In fact cat staff hours are given to the dogs
Start during a period of decreased intake When a cat is adopted, move up a fast track cat Change from moving up the next cat in line based on intake date Keep doing this until all fast track cats are in adoption Then move over slow track cats The longest a slow track cat had to wait for a spot in adoption was 2 weeks Within 1 month all cats had a place on the adoption floor Moved to ADC gradually Have held to ADC of 23 cats
Intake/Adoptions: 2012 cat intake = 2411, adoptions = 1558 2013 cat intake = 2146 (11% decrease), adoptions = 1531 (1.7% decrease) Average LOS: 2012 = 26.4 days 2013 = 20 days (24% decrease) No change in: policies regarding intake or adoption adoption promotions the foster program staff hours Cats on medication for URI 40% 2013 LRR = 86% (87% for cats!)
Located in Madison, WI Open Admission 7 day stray hold (really 8 days) No hold for surrendered animals Maddie s Community Collaborative leader Contracts from in and out of county Reclaim rate for dogs is very high (usually within the first 3 days) Reclaim rate for cats is high compared to many communities (about 16-18%); low compared to dogs
Increased well-being Decreased daily population More space More attention for each animal Less time in the shelter Decreased illness Increased efficiency Decreased average Length of Stay Sound Familiar?
Offer visibility to most pre-adoption animals Let the public (citizens and rescue groups) help select who is adoptable Identify priority animals for needed pre-adoption processing Designate restricted area for animals considered dangerous, legal holds, treatment Hillsborough County Animal Services, Tampa, Florida
To make the best of a really long stray holding period
Evaluate average LOS for stray animals, especially if highly adoptable Evaluate redemption rate for stray animals Consider break down of space- how much space is non-public? Stage or status for animals who will be available for pre-selection but still in a stray holding period Priority system for selection: (example) Citizens Rescues Volunteers Staff
Establish a stage or status for pre-selected animals Evaluate spay/neuter capacity Establish a system for prioritizing surgery Consider adoption processing capacity Establish a system to ensure efficient adoptions Train staff to perform a thorough physical exam, assess behavior and perform intake treatments Establish medical/behavioral criteria for OS candidacy Write a protocol Train staff to coordinate departments and implement protocols
Check microchips, ID tags and lost reports to provide every stray animal the best chance of being returned to an owner. If no evidence of owners / guardians are evident, make the animal available for Open Selection if health and behavior criteria are met. Move Open Selection candidates to the adoption area Database and paper records should make it clear that the animal is still a stray and may be reclaimed by owner within the legal holding period. Perform daily rounds to account for the status of each animal in the shelter each day
Adoptable Area Double-compartment caged housing Room housing for 1-3 cat groups Pre-Adoptable Area Can be opened to the public 2 Isolation Areas Quarantine Area
Admitting staff are trained to evaluate cats at intake Evaluation includes: Vaccination Physical exam Wood s lamp exam Oral exam Scan for microchip If OS candidate: FeLV / FIV testing completed at intake
Medically and behaviorally healthy cats are moved straight to adoptable areas OS cats Stage is set to Available - pending stray Pre-selection for adoption while cats are waiting through their legal hold Allowed to meet and interact with the public
Adoption holds can be placed. Potential adopters are educated on limitations of OS Adoption hold If selected : Adoption hold placed Spay/Neuter hold placed (if needed)
If an owner comes to reclaim their lost pet, Hooray! If not. Animal is given priority for spay/neuter surgery (as needed) and sent home the its stray period expires
Moved to Pre-Adoptable Cage covers for public side Medical needs addressed Behavioral needs addressed If resolved during stray hold OS candidate Small numbers of: Non-adoption track Candidates for transfer feral or fearful cats Euthanasia choices
Intake about 3000 cats/year About 60% stray cats Adoptions May - May 1776 in 2010-11 1903 in 2011-12 1881 in 2012-13 1970 in 2013-2014 (May not included) Overall Feline LR as a % of intake 79% in 2011 84% in 2012 85% in 2013 85% in 2014 (to date)
Average Length of Stay 27.8 days in 2009-2010 25.3 days in 2010-11 21.7 days in 2011-12 18.2 days in 2012-13 16.8 days in 2013-14
200 Daily Population at DCHS 180 160 140 120 100 80 Year 2010 Year 2013 60 40 20 0 1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec
Shelter staff reported no kitten season in 2012 Why do you think they thought that?
Set your bar for quality of care Determine your target length of stay Use multiple strategies to decrease LOS Monitor and celebrate success! Create a positive cycle of: decreased length of stay better care lower costs more resources to create positive outcomes community programs which reduce intake.which means lower costs, healthier shelters, happy staff and happy cats!!
Katie Kuehl, DVM kkuehl@giveshelter.org 608-838-0413 ext. 105 Laura Birdsall laurab@placerspca.org 916-782-7722 ext. 114