Fewer Dog Transfers Between Organizations
Yet Another Troubling Symptom of Post-Pandemic Shelter Crisis

Saturation of Canines in Communities Across U.S. Leaves Dogs Fewer Transfer Options

ATLANTA, GA, 8/17/2023 – Shelter Animals Count (SAC), the most trusted and current source for animal sheltering data, notes a concerning trend in their Q2 data which shows a decrease in transfers of animals between shelters. Transfers between organizations and communities play a vital role in enabling a balanced distribution of animals and alleviating overcrowding. As dog adoptions are down for rescues and private shelters compared to both 2021 and 2022, their total outcomes are down — likely leading to fewer transfers in. 

From Shelter Animals Count, May 25, 2023:

Getting (and keeping) dogs out of overburdened shelters is important right now, as data shows that not only are more dogs entering shelters than are leaving, the non-live outcome rate for dogs has nearly doubled (from 5.6% to 10%) when comparing Q1 2021 to Q1 2023. This means nearly twice as many dogs did not leave shelters alive during the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2021. 

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Courtesy of ASPCA, click here to read original posting. 

The PETS Act would remove unnecessary regulations blocking Florida veterinarians and pet owners from effectively using telemedicine for animals 

Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL) is redefining the meaning and importance of quality of life for sheltered dogs across North America. Their playgroup and training seminars, Mentorships, and Shadow Program provide shelter staff and volunteers with the knowledge and hands-on experience required to better support the behavioral wellbeing of the dogs in their care. At the Canine Center Florida, DPFL is working to provide quality of life that often results in live outcomes for at-risk sheltered dogs in need of our specialized training expertise. Finally, through their ever-expanding virtual offerings, DFPL has continued remote support to shelters across the country and anticipates that these long-distance resources will continue beyond the pandemic as a way to expand access to their programming. 

The 2022 Impact Report details DFPL's yearly efforts and includes analysis of the shelter survey responses and a discussion of this year’s developments as well as updates from the Canine Center Florida. 

The Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations (FAAWO) is a non-profit organization of dedicated animal advocates working together to positively impact animals throughout the state of Florida.

FAAWO recognizes that every shelter and animal municipal agency, collectively referred to as “organizations”, has a responsibility to provide quality and humane care to every animal received and to be diligent in their efforts to find positive outcomes for as many animals as possible.

Getting to connect people to their new furry, feathered, or scaled family member, helping previously broken animals foster new confidence and a zest for life, supporting the human animal bond, these are only a few of the many reasons that we choose to work or volunteer with an animal welfare organization. Along with all of the amazing things about this choice, there are an equal number of stressors, one of which is funding. Part of running an animal welfare organization is being nimble, flexible, and innovative with the resources we have while also looking for opportunities to grow those resources. Below are 3 resources (plus one bonus) to help you locate grants to help amplify the work you’re doing to help animals in need. 

• HumanePro 

• ASPCAPro

• Candid

Providing opportunities for medical staff, whether certified or on-the-job trained, to grow their knowledge base and continue to develop in their practice is essential. For certified technicians, a certain number of RACE continuing education hours are needed every two years in order to maintain their certificate. For on-the-job trained technicians and assistants, continuing education training provides the opportunity to explore topics that they find interesting but may not run into very often. Finding these opportunities can be challenging, below are five resources to help you get started. 

1. Fear Free Shelter Program

FAAWO is happy to offer our sincere congratulations to our very own Board Chair, Heather Thomas, who recently started a new position as Vice President of Veterinary Markets with Atlanta Humane’s Remedy program in partnership with St. Francis Pet Care (SFPC). Founded in 2011, SFPC provides veterinary care to the pets of the underserved communities of Alachua County, Florida. Atlanta Humane’s Remedy program seeks to revolutionize veterinary care and increase access within the southeastern United States. Through the partnership, Heather will be helping to grow the capacity of SFPC and expand services, in a high needs area. In the last year alone, the number of pets seen by SFPC increased 260%. 

Heather joins the partnership after twelve years spent as Executive Director of the Humane Society of North Central Florida during which time she tirelessly worked on behalf of both the pets and people in the community.

This resource is brought to you by our Sponsor, AlphaStaff

We’ve all been there: you start the week already short-handed and suddenly one key player resigns. As you scramble to make sure you have enough coverage until you can hire a replacement, you can’t help but wonder what could have been done to retain the employee. While we can’t deny that salaries play a role in enticing employees towards a potential role, multiple factors can help build a long-lasting relationship with your team. If there’s anything we’ve learned recently, it’s that it’s not always about the money. By the time your employee evaluates other options, it’s highly likely that there are multiple factors swaying your employee’s decision to move away from the company.

In July 2022 Rich Anderson, Co-chair of Marketing here at FAAWO, announced he is stepping down from his role as Executive Director and CEO of Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. For more than a decade, Rich dedicated his energy to the community of West Palm Beach. Under his stewardship Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League provided assistance to 380,000 dogs and cats and launched Countdown 2 Zero (C2Z), a collaborative partnership with Palm Beach County with the goal of eliminating unnecessary euthanasia in the community. We join with Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in wishing Rich well as he leaves to start a new chapter in his life and career. 

The Humane Society of North Central Florida (HSNCF) recently had their hard work and dedication to serving communities and animals across north central Florida recognized when they received a $25,000 grant investment from Petco Love. The investment will help to ensure that they are able to keep working toward their mission of eliminating the euthanasia of healthy and treatable pets by matching pets with families for a lifetime, furthering spay and neuter through education and outreach, and being advocates for their community members, human and animal alike. 

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is back with another episode of The Intake. Jim Tedford, the President and CEO of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, interviewed Steve Zeidman, Senior Vice President, Software Solutions from Pethealth Inc. and the 2020 recipients of the Diane & Bob Hoover Annual Innovation Award, Adan Parra and Michele Anderson from El Paso Animal Services.

Though El Paso Animal Services have multiple worthy initiatives, their focus on using technology to reunite more pets with their loving families was inspiring. Fueled by the creation of Lost and Found pet reports, El Paso’s Pet Finder Map is an interactive and comprehensive tool. It’s become a central location for the community to post a photo of their lost pet or view pets found.

The ASPCA is thrilled to announce it's new virtual advisor, Ask the Expert! Wondering which disinfectants kill parvo? Want ideas to support your fosters with behavior? Need help starting an equine foster program? Submit a question to an ASPCA expert from our Shelter Medicine, Animal Behavior, or Equine Welfare team and get a quick response via email.

ASK THE EXPERT NOW

This link includes some terrific resources regarding spay/neuter guidelines and COVID-19:

CLICK HERE  

Florida Animal Friend (FAF) awards annual grants to municipal and non-profit agencies in the state of Florida who perform spay and neutering services to cats and dogs.

Grant Applications are available each January 1st and the deadline for submission is May 1st. In August, we announce the grant winners and the grant funds are released on August 15th. Follow-up reports are due September 1st the following year.

From the Florida Department of Health Division of Disease Control and Health Protection Bureau of Epidemiology: