Animal welfare

72 Pages·2008·7.65 MB·English

by  Antony Lishak

PUBLISHJEDA BY TNHE H-UFMANEE SBOCIE TY0 OF8 THE UNITED STATES
animal services / rescues / shelters
The Facts About
Ferrets
Testifying for Animals
Bad Cats, Bad Cats—Whatcha Gonna Do?

Shelter Medicine, p.53
I’ve noticed with dismay that whenever I lecture to
veterinarians about cruelty, the room is never as crowded
as it is when I talk about disease transmission... >>
animal services / rescues / shelters
30 Teach the 36 What is a
Children Well Good Death?
Educators aim to leave no child behind, While communities across the country
but many of the most important lessons work to reduce euthanasia rates, some
kids can learn—about kindness and shelters struggle with a more fundamen-
non-violent conflict resolution, for tal issue: ending the use of the carbon
example—are now being edged out monoxide chamber. Long considered an
in favor of standardized lessons and out-of-date method, gas chambers remain
regular testing. But by tying your in use in some communities due to old
lessons to new educational require- laws and lack of funding and training.
ments, you can get humane education But through legislation and mentoring
back into the curriculum. programs, animal advocates are helping
shelters make the switch.
animal services / rescues / shelters
Animal Sheltering is a publication of
The Humane Society of the United States.
ANIMAL SHELTERING MAGAZINE STAFF
Editor
Carrie Allan
Staff Writer/Copy Editor
Katina Antoniades
Circulation & Marketing Manager
Michelle Riley
n
Advertising Manager
ReNae Vorgert
Design
Bussolati Associates
n
Editor in Chief, Periodicals
Nancy Lawson
n
HSUS REVIEWERS & CONTRIBUTORS
John Snyder, Vice President, Companion Animals
5 Letterbox 49 Q & A Kim Intino, Director, Animal Sheltering Issues
Betsy McFarland, Director of Communications, Companion Animals
Author Jon Katz has been working with Stephanie Shain, Director of Outreach, Companion Animals
Cory Smith, Program Manager, Animal Sheltering Issues
7 Scoop dogs for decades. But when a dog he
n
Study examines stress reduction methods loved deeply became unmanageably Chairman, Board of Directors, Humane Society of the United States
David O. Wiebers, M.D.
for shelter workers; the SPCA of Texas aggressive, he was faced with a terrible
President and CEO, Humane Society of the United States
takes down a puppy mill; the romance of choice. Katz talks about his border Wayne Pacelle
n
Valentine’s Day helps a Virginia shelter collie, Orson, and the difficulty owners
ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE
hit on potential adopters; a Lake Tahoe and shelters face when dealing with Animal Sheltering (ISSN 0734-3078) is published bimonthly by
The Humane Society of the United States. Our magazine serves
bear gets lucky; and more. aggressive dogs. the people on the frontlines of animal protection—by offering
practical expertise, technical know-how, forums for debate, pro-
gram profiles, news on the latest research and trends, and a sense
of inspiration and community among those striving to make the
18 Coffee Break 53 Shelter Medicine world a better place for animals.
In your space, you talk about your favorite Veterinarians are often in the best Subscription Prices
Single-copy subscriptions are $20 each ($25 for subscribers outside
parts of your day-to-day work. position to notice signs of animal cruelty, the U.S.). Organizations ordering extra copies for staff, volunteers,
board members, and others can receive special discounts: orders
yet studies have shown they seldom report of 2 to 9 copies cost $14 per copy; orders of 10 copies or more cost
$10 per copy. Members of Shelter Partners receive a 10-percent
21 Creature Feature their suspicions. Dr. Lila Miller wants to discount. For more information, visit animalsheltering.org.
Circulation Offices
They’re long, they’re lean, and they’re see more veterinarians taking the lead on To order, renew, change your address, or inquire about
other subscription-related issues, visit our website at
not so mean! Feisty ferrets have a rep for cruelty issues in their communities. animalsheltering.org or contact our circulation office:
Animal Sheltering
being nibbly and stinky, but these relatives P.O. Box 351; Congers, NY 10920-0351
866-512-3111 (toll free) 845-267-3004 (local)
of the weasel have gotten a bad rap. We 59 The Behavior Department 845-267-3478 (fax)
[email protected]
provide a guide for their care within the Bad cats, bad cats—whatcha gonna do? Editorial Offices
Please send letters to the editor, Coffee Break submissions,
shelter—and a glimpse of why their ad- A post-adoption survey helps the Animal and article ideas to:
Animal Sheltering magazine/HSUS
vocates have a mania for mustelids. Rescue League of Boston figure out how 2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
their adopted cats are getting on in their 202-452-1100 (phone)
301-258-3081 (fax)
43 The “101” Department new homes. [email protected]
animalsheltering.org
A day on the witness stand can make
Advertising Information
even the most gregarious animal control 68 Off Leash Contact ReNae Vorgert, Animal Sheltering’s advertising manager,
at 701-572-9100 or [email protected].
officer nervous, but our tips on providing Winter brings frozen water bowls to Job Listings
To post a free job announcement, visit animalsheltering.org.
effective court testimony can prepare you Carroll County, Md., but now when animal
Reprint Information
for the crossest of cross examinations. control officers talk to negligent pet We encourage private humane organizations and public animal
services agencies to reprint Animal Sheltering articles by HSUS
owners, they have science on their side. authors in whole or in part, without prior permission, provided
that the reprinting serves educational purposes in keeping with
the magazine’s intent. Please credit the article’s author as well as
Animal Sheltering magazine, and send us a copy of the reprinted
material. If you are interested in reprinting articles by non-HSUS
authors, special permission may be required; e-mail us at asm@
humanesociety.org.
The Small Print
The HSUS does not endorse or guarantee any products, services,
or vendors mentioned in Animal Sheltering, nor can it be responsible
for problems with vendors or their products or services. Also, The
HSUS reserves the right to reject, at its discretion, any advertising.
Views expressed by non-HSUS authors are not necessarily those
of The HSUS.
©2008 The Humane Society of the United States.
All rights reserved.
 AnIMAL SheLTerInG January/february 2008

Letterbox
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I really enjoyed the articles about shel-
ter policies and how they are morphing
constantly. Guidelines and standards are
necessary in the adoption process but are
oftentimes hard to set and harder yet to
adhere to.
Some of the shelter’s most valuable as-
sets are the counselors who work with po-
tential adopters. They explain the adoption
process, answer questions, and inform the
adopters about the pets they are interested
in. This is a great time to get some infor-
mation about their lifestyle and help the
adopters make wise decisions accordingly.
The counselor should be taking mental
notes, and if there is any concern about an
applicant, she should consult a supervisor.
This is better than waiting until the ap-
plication has gone through and then tell-
ing the people waiting expectantly in the
Stephanie Shain and her family adopted Molly (shown with Shain in photo at left) seven months after her
brother, Panda (with Shain’s daughter Mia, right). lobby that they have been denied.
On the adoption application at the
essay Takes the Cake—And helped them feel a sense of pride in their shelter I volunteer at, there are questions
Shelter Workers eat It! work and contributions and meant more regarding training, interacting, and car-
Your wonderful article mentioning your to them than you could ever know. ing for the new pet, and there is a place to
good experience at our shelter (“Judgment Seeing the quality of the staff and fill out information about past or existing
Calls: Small Kids? No Dogs Allowed” by the potential of this organization helped pets. If the applicant responds that they
Stephanie Shain, Sept-Oct 2007, p. 30), was me make the decision last August to will use a shock collar to train the dog, or
brought to my attention shortly after pub- come work with these wonderful people adopt a cat only to keep it outside all the
lication. I wanted you to know that the to bring forward the cause of animals time to “mouse,” that is cause for concern
very next morning, the chief operating of- in Washington, D.C. On the one hand I and education. Our staff let applicants
ficer and I snuck in two gourmet cakes for wasn’t surprised by what I read, but I also know where the shelter stands on these
the staff at our New York Avenue shelter. couldn’t be more proud of their work and issues and offers them some alternatives.
The staff had no idea why I was there, to be a part of this great organization. The key is explaining your specific
as I had wanted it to be a surprise! I had —Lisa LaFontaine guidelines and perhaps redirecting an
been able to get my hands on several cop- President and CEO adopter to another animal that fits her
ies of Animal Sheltering, and I gathered the The Washington Humane Society lifestyle better. It is important that the
staff together around the front desk and reasons for your guidelines are carefully
read your article out loud. As it dawned Editor’s Note: In her essay, Stephanie explained and questions are answered. It
on everyone that you were talking about Shain detailed her family’s search for is not enough to say “I don’t know” or to
them, people began to smile and exchange and adoption of their dog Panda. Seven offer a one-size-fits-all response like “Big
glances—and when I got to the part that months later, Shain’s daughter Bella dogs can’t live with young children.”
named Panda, they started to cry (espe- was browsing local shelter websites Short of having adopters take a lie-de-
cially when they saw Panda’s picture). and spied Panda’s sister, who had been tection test, you have to give the general
As you saw for yourself firsthand (and returned to the shelter following a pre- public the benefit of the doubt, but there
pointed out in your article), they do their vious adoption. Shain’s family adopted are steps you can take, before and after
work in very primitive facilities, and yet the dog—now named Molly—and the adoption takes place, to ensure the
they care so deeply! Most of the time, brought her home to reunite her with animal ends up in an appropriate home.
they are dealing with difficult issues and her brother. Deaf and mostly blind, —Holly Williams, Volunteer
often don’t receive the recognition and Molly is already busy mapping out Animal Rescue League of Iowa
appreciation they deserve. Your article Shain’s home. Des Moines, Iowa
CeLeBrATe SPAY DAY USA 2008! GO TO HuManeSOCIeTy.OrG/SPayDay fOr IDeaS. 

Scoop
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Support Your Local euthanasia Technician
Study gathers stress-reduction ideas from those in the most difficult jobs
By CarrIe allan
Is there a staffer at your shelter who
performs euthanasia? If so, when’s
the last time you smiled at her, asked
how she’s doing, or listened to her
when she needed to vent?
Seem like small things? They’re not—
especially if you’re a manager.
In a recent study of stress-reduction
suggestions compiled from responses of
shelter workers around the country who
perform or assist with euthanasia, sup-
port and encouragement from colleagues
and management ranked number one on
the list of things respondents say would
help them cope with the stress inherent
to their work.
Published in the Journal of Applied
Animal Welfare Science (Vol. 10, No. 4),
“What Shelters Can Do About Euthanasia- om
C
Related Stress: An Examination of oTo.
h
Recommendations From Those on the kp
C
o
Front Line” examines the responses of sT
more than 300 employees from 62 shel- ovIC/I
n
ters around the country. Researchers u
rIf
Steven Rogelberg, Ph.D., Natalie n T
a
g
DiGiacomo, M.S., Charlie Reeve, Ph.D., a
r
D
and others identified trends that may aid
shelter managers looking for ways to help The most common answers fell into euthanasia technicians believe their cowork-
their staff. the following categories: Be supportive ers’ criticism makes their jobs more difficult.
Seventy-four percent of the respon- and encourage support from others (men- The authors also identified animal
dents were female, and most were 25 tioned by 13 percent of respondents); pro- shelters as culturally unique. “Promoting a
to 34 years old. Most were certified eu- vide counseling and professional help (12 culture of support within any organization
thanasia technicians. Close to half had at percent of respondents); allow for rota- is a valuable goal in general; within animal
least a high school education; another 42 tion of euthanasia staff (11 percent); hire sheltering organizations, it may be an im-
percent had attended college as well. or provide more staff to do euthanasia perative,” they wrote. “After all, it is often
The survey queried respondents (10 percent); allow for breaks and time the case that those charged with euthana-
about their work environments, attitudes, off (9 percent). Other categories included sia responsibilities experience a dearth of
and experiences with euthanasia. It also arranging support groups, communicat- support from the public and even family
solicited free-form recommendations: ing more effectively, and providing more and friends.”
“Please tell us what you think shelter skills-based training. Nobody wants to euthanize animals;
management should or could do to as- “The most popular … suggestions had to it takes a strong mind and skilled, gentle
sist shelter workers in dealing with eutha- do with promoting understanding and sup- hands to do the job. Euthanasia technicians
nasia-related stress.” Eighty percent of port between euthanasia technicians and know that already. But a little acknowledg-
respondents completed the section, and noneuthanasia employees who work side- ment from colleagues and supervisors can
researchers sorted the 359 suggestions by-side,” the authors wrote, noting that the help them remember it—and go a long
into 26 thematic categories. responses indicated that a good number of way toward easing their burden. AS
CeLeBrATe SPAY DAY USA 2008! GO TO HuManeSOCIeTy.OrG/SPayDay fOr IDeaS. 
Scoop //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Locust Dale,
Virginia
The organization: Siamese Cat
Rescue Center
n
Year established: 1998
n
Resources: Two staff members at the
center located in Virginia; about 500 ac-
tive volunteers, including 75 foster home
providers in several states nTer
n Ce
ue
Area served: Eastern United States C
s
n aT re
C
Animals helped: The group places 800 to se
me
1,000 Siamese and Siamese mixes each a
sI
year. Last summer, it took in its 5,000th
cat, a 12-year-old stray now named Blue. it pops up the region in which they can savvy,” he says. He believes the differ-
n select a cat if they need transport assis- ence is partly due to Hurricane Katrina:
Website: va.siameserescue.org tance,” says Siri. “We try to localize as After the storm, he says, “we told the
n much as possible, especially with the price whole world, ‘Go to rescue,’ and they did,
How it helps shelters: The group helps of gas now—that’s becoming somewhat but they didn’t know what to expect.”
public shelters with their Siamese cats; limiting,” adds Darrell. But the group al- Some people believe the cats will be per-
volunteers take cats shelters cannot place lows for long-distance love: People can fect, Siri adds. No matter what adopters’
and help advertise the ones who remain adopt cats outside their region, but they attitudes are, though, the group enables
at the shelter by sending information to have to pick them up themselves. successful placements through educa-
a targeted group of potential adopters. n tion, careful matchmaking, and thorough
“Meezers,” as Siamese are nicknamed, Siamese sounds: The breed’s distinctive post-adoption follow-up.
are housed both at the center—which meows and extra-talkative nature can n
can hold up to 50 cats—and with trained give potential adopters the wrong impres- Ensuring longevity: As the organization
foster caregivers across the organization’s sion, says Darrell. “They present poorly has grown, its structure has changed.
service area. “[The facility] looks like a in shelter environments,” he says. “They Today, 14 regional coordinators handle
garage from the outside, but it’s probably sound like they’re angry … . Many times, assigned areas, performing duties that in-
the most expensive garage you’ll ever [adopters] misunderstand their yelling and clude determining which cats the group
walk into,” jokes executive director Siri screaming as vicious when they’re just ba- takes in, assigning those cats to foster
Zwemke. Siri runs the organization with sically four-letter Siamese words.” It didn’t homes, improving volunteer retention,
husband Darrell Zwemke, “webmeezer” take long for the center’s kitties to speak and participating in fundraising and
and vice president of the board. for themselves: As Darrell continued to de- events. The Zwemkes hope to increase
n scribe his organization over the phone, they this “outsourcing” to make the organiza-
On the road: Hundreds of volunteer driv- began uttering their distinctive meows in tion less dependent on the central office.
ers give lifts to adoptees on their way the background—clipped, low, and hoarse “Our long-term goal is to make us not nec-
to new homes. Each cat’s online adop- noises that sound like “Raow!” essary,” he says. “At least not as necessary,
tion listing specifies a “transport region” n because we’re not going to be here forever.
based on the location of her foster home; A new kind of adopter: Darrell has no- We’d like the organization to continue be-
the area usually extends to surrounding ticed changes in adopters’ expectations. yond us.” That seems a likely possibility—
states. “As an applicant applies through “It’s not the same adopter you used to Siri says she’s inspired by the dedication
our system, they input their zip code and have five years ago that was very rescue- and compassion of the group’s volunteers.
 AnIMAL SheLTerInG January/february 2008