July/August 2011

Shiny Happy Kitties A Better Way to Clean Cat Cages

A New Day for Fight-Bust Dogs The Art of Fostering Kittens th 1927 84 2011

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Use your smartphone to scan this QR Code or visit www.shor-line.com for more product information. ALSO: Jerry Lewis isn’t the only one who knows the fundraising power of telethons: At least a handful of shelters around the nation host their own annual broadcasts that reliably bring in hundreds of thousandshow it’s of donedollars. in Learn Show Mep. the 10. Money,

22 26 30 Here for a Reason Getting Real A New Day for The story of an Oklahoma puppy who The Austin Humane Society is one of Fight-Bust Dogs lived through euthanasia, had his story several shelters that have started a Law enforcement officials, the sheltering publicized on Facebook, and went on hand-feeding, enrichment, and training community, and the public used to view to get adoption applications from as far program for adoptable dogs. The results dogs seized from dogfighting rings as away as France captures the bittersweet are easy to see—a kennel that’s a too dangerous to place. The Michael Vick complexity of dramatic survival stories, pleasant environment for both people case and its ensuing media coverage of which often garner great public attention and pets. It’s a good illustration of what rehabilitated pit bulls served as a wake-up and a passion to adopt the victim. happens when enrichment—a key tenet call that better options exist for these dogs. of new guidelines developed by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians— is emphasized for shelter animals. COVER: MICHELLE RILEY/THE MICHELLE COVER: HSUS Behavior Department, p. 51 43 Q & A Animal Sheltering is a publication of When it comes to designing effective The Humane Society of the United States. ANIMAL SHELTERING MAGAZINE STAFF shelter programs to reduce euthanasia, Editor you can never have too much Carrie Allan Associate Editor information. That’s the view longtime James Hettinger Staff Writer/Copy Editor animal welfare advocate Peter Marsh Jim Baker expresses in his book Replacing Production/Marketing Manager Shevaun Brannigan Myth with Math: Using Evidence- n Based Programs to Eradicate Shelter Advertising Manager ReNae Vorgert Overpopulation. We talk to him about Design how shelters can more effectively target Bussolati Associates n their programs. Chairman, Board of Directors, The Humane Society of the United States Anita W. Coupe, Esq. 47 Humane Law Forum President and CEO, The Humane Society of the United States What happens when an enraged Wayne Pacelle 05 Letterbox adopter tells you that the lovely little n ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Pekingese who came to you as a stray, Animal Sheltering (ISSN 0734-3078) is published bimonthly by The Humane Society of the United States. Our magazine serves 06 Scoop and behaved himself so beautifully the people on the frontlines of animal protection—by offering ­practical expertise, technical know-how, forums for debate, An Indiana municipal shelter steps at the shelter, has bitten a neighbor program profiles, news on the latest research and trends, and a sense of inspiration and community among those striving to up whenever other animal welfare without provocation? Is your shelter make the world a better place for animals. organizations need a helping hand; legally responsible? Every adoption’s Subscription Prices Single-copy subscriptions are $20 each ($25 for subscrib- a major rescue operation in Texas unique, but determining post-adoption ers outside the U.S.). Members of Shelter Partners receive a 10-percent discount. For information on multiple-copy dis- removes more than 300 animals liability can usually be broken down counts, visit animalsheltering.org. Circulation Offices (including tigers and mountain lions) into three simple issues. To order, renew, change your address, or inquire about other subscription-related issues, visit our website at and finds them homes; a Michigan animalsheltering.org or contact our circulation office: Animal Sheltering woman builds a 360-person volunteer 51 Behavior Department P.O. Box 351; Congers, NY 10920-0351 866-512-3111 (toll free) 845-267-3004 (local) corps targeting the puppy mill industry A good foster network can be a 845-267-3478 (fax) [email protected] where it hurts; a New York shelter major ally in saving animals’ lives, Editorial Offices Please send letters to the editor, raises $253,000 with its annual but fledgling fosterers have a lot Coffee Break submissions, and article ideas to: Animal Sheltering magazine/HSUS telethon; and much more. to learn before embarking on their 2100 L St., NW Washington, DC 20037 kitty-mentoring adventure. How long 202-452-1100 (phone) 301-258-3081 (fax) 20 Coffee Break should you keep kittens confined in [email protected] In your space, you tell us about some of their own space? How soon should animalsheltering.org Advertising Information your favorite programs to help cats— you introduce them to visitors? Contact ReNae Vorgert, Animal Sheltering’s advertising manager, at 701-572-9100 or [email protected]. everything from partnering with a local Veteran fosterers offer their advice— Job Listings To post a free job announcement, visit animalsheltering.org. hockey team to a community operation and their practical knowledge and Reprint Information (pun intended) that’s sterilized 250 cats experiences are worth their weight in We encourage private humane organizations and public animal services agencies to reprint Animal Sheltering articles by HSUS in a single day. kitten chow. 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 39 The “101” Department 60 Off Leash authors, special permission may be required; email us at Older shelter practices dictate cleaning A new smartphone application gives [email protected]. The Small Print a cat cage by removing the cat and then people access to everything a Kansas The HSUS does not endorse or guarantee any products, services, or vendors mentioned in Animal Sheltering, nor can it be respon- blitzing the space with cleaners and City, Mo., shelter has to offer— sible for problems with vendors or their products or services. Also, The HSUS reserves the right to reject, at its discretion, any bleach. The process is hard on germs— especially adoptable pets! advertising. Views expressed by non-HSUS authors are not neces- sarily those of The HSUS. but, as it turns out, it can be hard on ©2011 The Humane Society of the United States. kitties, too. Spot-cleaning is an effective All rights reserved. ED W NT IT RI H P

way to decrease disease transmission,

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2 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG

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Visit www.petsmartcharities.org/programs/adoption.php to learn how you can partner with us. ©2010-2011 PetSmart Charities, Inc. All rights reserved. 030-1009-006 ©2010-2011 PetSmart Charities, Inc. All rights reserved. the letterbox

A New Day for Fight-Bust Dogs, p. 30

A Word From Us Our field, in essence, is all about giving animals a second chance at a rewarding life in a loving home whenever possible. Yet for years, the notion that dogs seized from fighting operations could someday make good pets was rejected out of hand by many—including The Humane Society of the United States. But the Michael Vick case challenged everyone to view dogfighting in a new light. One of this issue’s features, “A New Day for Fight-Bust Dogs,” details Timely Information Lovie is extremely happy now having the emerging options for these victims. The article “Back to Basics: Shelter Cat more dogs. He plays with them and runs Last year, the Association of Shelter Enrichment” by Debbie Swanson (March- around with them. He is older, so he doesn’t Veterinarians released its long-awaited April 2011, p. 53) is terrific. run as hard, but he now has a kick in his step. Guidelines for Standards of Care in This issue is excellent, as always, but the He loves the bonding. I have a few pillows Animal Shelters, designed to “balance last issue (January-February 2011) was above throughout the house, and usually all four animal welfare science with practical and and beyond! The article on Calgary’s licensing of them will cuddle on one pillow. He is still realistic recommendations for shelters.” efforts (“A License to Succeed,” p. 26) was grumpy with some stuff. But he has bonded In Part Two of our series discussing how terrific (we’re only a half a day’s drive from more with me. He lets me do a lot of things the guidelines can be implemented, Calgary), and Hilary Anne Hager’s Volunteer that he wouldn’t when I first got him. I can veterinarian Sandra Newbury visits the Management column (“Avoiding the Bait and hold and touch his feet. I can touch his mouth Austin Humane Society, which has Switch,” p. 53) was great, as always. We’ll and put my hand in his mouth. implemented enrichment and training have to find a way to bribe her into coming I have a huge orange tree on my property, practices that have resulted in much over some time. and he loves to hang out under it and chew calmer, quieter dogs. We are going through a volunteer program on the oranges. He still loves eating. I call Many animal welfare organizations revival, and an aggressive licensing campaign, him my vacuum. Since it is cold now, I turn couldn’t carry out their mission without so both of these were quite timely (as well as on my dryer, so while he is outside he likes the help of those willing to foster animals well-written). Keep up the good work! to sit under the vent and get warm. He abso- in their homes—a kindness that opens up —Cliff Bennett, Director lutely loves doing that. I consider it a massage much-needed space at shelters and gives Flathead County Animal Shelter for him. I ask him if he wants to go get his little ones a good start in life. As this Kalispell, Mont. massage, and he runs to the door. He smiles issue’s Behavior Department illustrates, a lot. Granted, it’s crooked, but he smiles. His it’s a big job turning a frisky fur ball into Lovie: Lovin’ Life mouth still hangs down from where he had a fun (and well-adjusted) companion. Editor’s note: “Yes, We Have Some Chihua­ a rotten tooth sticking out, and his jaw isn’t These are just three of the many huas” (March-April 2011, p. 22) chronicled the perfect, so he has a bit of a droop. But he stories from this issue showing how Sacramento SPCA’s experience after taking in runs through the house and is always wag- sheltering professionals, rescue groups, more than 150 animals from an overcrowded ging his tail. He watches everything I do and and their supporters are making life “rescue” in Southern California—including is completely tuned in to me. If I sit, he sits; if better for animals—and giving them a Lovie, a Chihuahua whose dental problems I am walking around, he follows me. When second chance. required surgery. Lovie’s adopter, Erin Long- he tires out he will sit and watch me. He is Tell us your own tales. Email us at Scott, provided the following update on doing really well. [email protected], and don’t Lovie’s new life. It’s a running joke now that we are a fa- forget to follow us on Facebook. A few things have changed since I last mous family. I was on TV a few months ago, [spoke to] you. I have added two more little and now Lovie is in magazines. —Animal Sheltering magazine staff dogs to the mix. I am fostering them, and —Erin Long-Scott they are from a rescue group I am with. South Sacramento, Calif. Before, [I had] Lovie and Topper (who I ad-

STEPHANIE LAM/OUR PACK opted through my rescue group).

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 5 scoop Lions and Tigers and Rotties—Oh, My! Huge effort in Texas rescues Noah’s Ark of animals, including big cats and 200-plus rottweilers

TO THE RESCUE BY JIM BAKER

There are rescues, and then there are rescues—for example, those that involve ex- treme weather and the seizure, triage, and sheltering of hundreds of animals from nearly a dozen species. That’s the kind of rescue that took place earlier this year in Coryell County, Texas. Starting Jan. 31, and lasting three days, the Coryell County Sheriff’s Department, the Houston SPCA, and the Houston Zoo seized and transported more than 200 adult dogs and 40 puppies (most of the canines were rottweilers, but there were other breeds present), more than 30 horses and donkeys, 18 domestic cats,10 rodents, five birds, a Houston SPCA staff members (clockwise from far right) Whitney Pozner, James Barnes, Savannah monitor (a desert reptile), one tam- Robert Hernandez, Isaac Rosario, and Mark Devlin unload a rescued mountain lion from a arin monkey—plus two Bengal tigers and two transport arriving from the site of a seizure of hundreds of animals—domestic and exotic— from a ranch in Coryell County, Texas. mountain lions. Nearly 70 of the more than 300 animals rescued were found living inside a three-bedroom house on the ranch prop- The owners’ intentions aren’t entirely at the same time, it develops a certain level of erty near Gatesville, including many crated clear, but Tara Yurkshat, the SPCA’s vice difficulty,” Charles Jansen, the Houston SPCA’s dogs, a white-tailed deer in a cage, and a president of animal welfare, believes it was chief cruelty investigator, observes dryly. small raccoon. The rottweilers were kept in a breeding and boarding operation gone The effort to rescue, transport, and ul- outdoor pens with sheds. terribly wrong. Animals found on the prop- timately place hundreds of domestic and erty were living in very poor environmental exotic animals required a huge coopera- conditions, and the home itself was deemed tive effort. dangerous for humans and animals due to The Texas Wildlife Department was extremely high ammonia levels. Investigators called in to rescue the white-tailed also found several dead puppies and several deer and the raccoon. The International others suffering from hypothermia. The two Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, Texas, suspects initially faced 20 counts of animal agreed to provide a home for the four cruelty and two environment-related counts, big cats. The Savannah monitor went to with the possibility of additional charges a reptile rescue group. And the American being filed. Rottweiler Club’s Disaster Committee co- Complicating the effort was an arctic ordinated the placement of hundreds of cold front that blasted Texas, plunging tem- rottweilers across the country. peratures into the low teens. And the rescue “This became a humongous project in site was located about 250 miles away from collaboration,” Yurkshat says. “It’s not un- Houston, a four and a half hour drive, much usual for Charles and his team to one day of it on rural, dirt roads. wake up and find that they’ve got a huge Lucky for staff and animals, the Houston “We’re able to deal with a large quantity situation on their hands. [But] I think it is un- SPCA was built with the capacity to house of animals, we’re able to deal with the diver- usual for so many groups that don’t always wild animals, such as bears, big cats, and sity of species, and we’re able to deal with even gorillas—housing that came in handy necessarily work together to come together

after a recent rescue. exotics. [But] when you put those together and say, ‘How do we make this work?’” ALL PHOTOS: HOUSTON SPCA

6 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG The operation started when the Coryell Texas has a history of people keeping County Sheriff’s Department, facing a situ- backyard tigers and bears—and, in one ation that outstripped its resources, con- case, a chimpanzee in a garage—and the Animal Sheltering Online tacted the SPCA for help. Jansen’s team Houston SPCA’s facility was constructed Your magazine isn’t just in arrived to assist with loading horses, but im- with the caging to handle such cases. All print—it’s on the Web, too. mediately saw that there was a much bigger the animals from Coryell County, including Check out this issue’s online extras. task ahead. the tigers and mountain lions, were taken n Go to animalsheltering.org/ Members of the SPCA’s staff established to the SPCA before foster care or final mouthpieces to download a a game plan, and began to perform triage on placement could be found. The SPCA and poster describing the painful the animals, process them, and load them for Flanagan decided that the best place for the reality of declawing cats—and transport. Each day of the rescue, a transport big cats was the International Exotic Animal sharing some kinder solutions went to the SPCA, where another team was Sanctuary, located about 25 miles north of to protect your furniture from standing by to offload the animals. Fort Worth. After a Coryell County judge scratches. The SPCA contacted the Houston Zoo awarded custody on Feb. 23 of all the seized n You went crazy over our to request expert help with the four big domestic and wild animals to the SPCA, zoo Coffee Break question on cats—two male/female pairs. Joe Flanagan, staff performed ultrasounds on the female your favorite programs the zoo’s director of veterinary services, cats to determine if they were pregnant for cats! We couldn’t fit was happy to assist, and he and three staff (they weren’t), and sterilized the males. Then every response into print, members—Maud Marin and Maryanne Hodge and Tocidlowski accompanied the so visit animalsheltering. Tocidlowski, associate veterinarians; and cats to their new home at the sanctuary. org/publications/magazine/ Kevin Hodge, supervisor of carnivores— To help with the huge task of placing the coffee_break.html to read helped in the rescue, medical care, and rottweilers, the shelter reached out to Lew more reader responses. transport of the cats. Olson, chair of the American Rottweiler Club’s n And don’t forget to Marin had a particularly exhausting expe- Disaster Committee, with whom they’d worked “like” us at facebook.com/ rience, says Flanagan. From the time she ar- after Hurricane Ike struck Texas in 2008. animalshelteringmagazine! rived at the property to assess the condition Olson contacted the club to share details of the big cats, sedate them, load them, and of the situation. They agreed that the Coryell accompany their transport back to the SPCA, County rescue operation wasn’t a disaster she spent nearly 24 hours in bone-chilling in the usual sense—like the aftermath of a weather. It was so cold, in fact, that the an- hurricane—but it was a disaster nonetheless. esthetic agent in the darts she had planned to Olson and the club spread the word about way to help animals, but in the Coryell County use to tranquilize the cats actually froze, and the dogs to rescues across the nation, and rescue, everything just worked. “I think that she had to prepare new ones. soon offers to place the dogs in foster homes this shows that [animosity] doesn’t have to started to roll in. To fund the rehoming effort, happen, and that we can work together.” Olson set up a PayPal account, and people Apart from the collaboration of multiple around the country sent in checks. PetSmart partners, Yurkshat and Jensen credit the Charities gave $10,000 to pay for medical SPCA’s staff for their enormous contribution care, as well as donating 150 dog crates. to the effort. Not only did they have to run Olson arranged to rent cargo vans and paid the shelter’s day-to-day operations, caring people to drive their own vehicles to transport for about 800 animals, they also had to the dogs to participating rescues. The outreach absorb the sudden influx of 350 more. And was successful: Olson was able to find foster their numbers continued to rise: About 70 homes for almost all the rottweilers. puppies and five foals were subsequently Olson says working with the SPCA was born at the shelter. a great experience. The shelter spayed and Shift after shift of staff worked long neutered all the dogs, vaccinated them, and hours to make the operation a success, and fed and housed them while Olson looked for everyone at the SPCA contributed to the foster homes. “I was pleasantly surprised at effort. “I think it’s noteworthy when—at how cooperative the SPCA was, and I think 3 o’clock in the morning—the president of they were pleasantly surprised at how coop- the organization [Patricia Mercer] is here to erative we were with them,” she says. lend support to the team, and be there to A rescued puppy receives replacement Yurkshat acknowledges that there’s often help with the offloading of the big cats, and fluid therapy from Houston SPCA staff friction between rescue groups and shelters basically express to them that we’re all a part veterinarian Cheryl Hoggard and animal care team member George LaTorre. due to different philosophies about the best of this,” Yurkshat says.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 7 tion—whether it’s a small, in-state dog res dog in-state asmall, it’s tion—whether 8 grow.” and to us blossom allow they that in makes adifference, board our and community ofour support …The do. we what and are we where “It’s ofgal,” laughing. kind says, Stilger Stilger, like it. Theresa coordinator care animal and Hall, way the that’s does—and plate. It its on alot has Hall’s shelter thinks Authority Control Animal County Albany/Floyd New the why to understand easy director. It’s Hall, David out,’” to burn you this? want We don’t says much. too on taking shelter’s the that fret bers mem five Rather, its concerned. board’s the far as as fine, all are things Those community. the with relationship its or of care, standards worry. ongoing an has Indiana southern in Shelter Animal County Albany/Floyd New nicipal mu the regulates that board supportive The An Indiana shelter is always eager to help when pets—and those who protect them—need a hand Problem Sure, No BY JIM BAKER TRIP FIELD shelter cuties—have also testified before the State House in Indianapolis on various issues. various on Indianapolis in House State the before testified also cuties—have shelter two coordinator—holding care animal Stilger, Theresa and director, Hall, David situation. emergency other or bust, dogfighting raid, mill a puppy after needed help’s whenever hand a lend to quick are Indiana southeast in Shelter Animal County Albany/Floyd New the at Staff

ANIMAL SHELTERING Whenever an animal welfareWhenever organiza “I’m amove-on-to-something-new just say, ‘Are handle “They can you sure you the budget, shelter’s the about not It’s JULY/AUGUST 2011 JULY/AUGUST ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG - - - - director? “‘Sure, no problem,’” Rogers says. “‘Sure,director? problem,’” no Rogers to anew ropes the to show shelter Kentucky to awestern hours ahalf and three to drive him asked she when Ky. Hall’s response And County, Breckinridge in case ahoarding with Rogers to assist staff and equipment tribute bringing some of his staff,” Rogers recalls. staff,” of his Rogers some bringing “And building. the comes, he from here pets 500 nearly evacuating help and crates, and like trucks equipment needed officers control animal and Volunteers immediately. to Hall out reached HSUS, The for director state Kentucky Ky., inLouisville, shelter control Rogers, Pam during disasters. assist to lines state crossing even or araid, after dogs fighting or mill puppy in taking tion, legisla pending on testifying it’s whether to help— they’re game staff, his and Hall (HSUS)—contacts States United of the Society Humane shelter, The or cue, another Another time, Hall was happy to con happy was Hall time, Another animal the flooded rains heavy When - - Control Authority, local government offi government local Control Authority, Animal County Albany/Floyd New the from support got to help, Hall something do could like staff his feeling and devastation out. After Hurricane Katrina, seeing the alot.” means really that this, do and to come make apriority such it they that fact The operations. day-to-day and to feed mouths got you’ve when shake loose to hard to be got “It’s testify,” Sterling says. and to come everything drop just will shelters when thing, unusual ofan kind “That’s mills. puppy and dogfighting as such issues on to testify inIndianapolis Assembly General raid. the after 233 dogs ofthe some in took and care, medical receive could dogs the that so veterinarian alocal with intouch her put alocation, found staff His Hall. Sterling called Indiana, in southern bust mill a puppy before shelter atemporary up setting help needed she when And raid. adogfighting after bulls ofpit ahandful in took who team, his and Hall with experiences similar had has HSUS, The custom-made climbing area. area. climbing custom-made a features room The Station. Central Cat dubbed room, cat communal shelter’s his in kitties adult the with out hangs Hall David The shelter has long been one to reach one been long has shelter The to the come also have Stilger and Hall for director state Indiana Sterling, Anne -

ALL PHOTOS: JILL DOLAN/NEW ALBANY-FLOYD COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER [scoop] cials, and the community to partner with staff and volunteers from the Kentucky Humane Society in Louisville, sending a team to Hattiesburg, Miss., one week after the disaster. They drove a cargo van loaded with medical and cleaning supplies and bottled water, and once onsite, helped set up an emergency shelter, perform triage of the animals, walk dogs, feed pets, and clean up. These days, Hall and his staff have their hands full caring for a steady stream of homeless animals. The shelter is ad- dressing the problem at its root, through spay/neuter programs. The facility has its own clinic to provide veterinary care and ensure that every animal who leaves the shelter is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. The shelter also operates a low-cost spay/neuter program for the community, called Fix Your Critter Day. The program was launched with a $30,000 grant from PetSmart Charities, awarded in 2007, that was divided equally among the shelter, the David Hall and Angel, a salmon-crested cockatoo—the shelter’s de facto mascot—have a Floyd County Animal Rescue League, and stimulating conversation about current animal welfare issues. The demonstrative bird has been known to laugh, and yell at staff members. the Floyd County Humane Society, two unsheltered nonprofits that provide finan- cial support and volunteers to Hall’s facil- forts in 2008, intake numbers have declined winning entry will be made into a poster, ity. (Funding now comes from the city and 25 percent, according to Stilger. And this, which will be distributed throughout the county government, an anonymous donor, Hall points out, was during a recession and community. and the two nonprofits.) The rescue league a major housing crisis that left shelters across In 2010, the shelter’s return-to-owner runs its own low-cost spay/neuter pro- the country swamped with surrendered pets. rate for cats increased threefold—from 1 to gram for cats, called Feline Fix, as well as “In an economy that’s in the tank—what do 3 percent. “It sounds like nothing, but that’s a trap-neuter-release program. The humane you think of that?” he says. 27 cats that went back home,” Stilger says. society focuses its spay/neuter efforts on Municipal shelters often feel that they “And we’ve actually had some starting to large-breed dogs. can’t launch a spay/neuter program for come [into the shelter] wearing their city li- Once a month, the shelter arranges a the community’s pets, because it could censes that they get when they’re spayed or transport of 30 to 40 pets to the Kentucky alienate the city’s veterinarians, accord- neutered.” It certainly helps that every animal Humane Society’s S.N.I.P. Clinic in Louisville. ing to Hall. But, cooperating with the two who leaves the shelter is microchipped and The animals stay overnight for surgery, then Floyd County nonprofits, Hall’s shelter has wearing tags, she adds. are returned to the shelter the next day, plunged ahead. “It really comes down to Hall and Stilger credit their community for when their owners can pick them up. Grant the support of your local government, and their shelter’s success. “They’re supportive of funding enables those who cannot afford the your governing board,” Stilger says. The our mission and what we do. They know that low-cost vouchers to have their pets spayed shelter has partnered with the Floyd County we want to take a stand against puppy mills, or neutered for free. Humane Society to kick off a pet identifica- the dogfighting, and the animal abuse, that From 2008 through 2010, the shelter, the tion awareness campaign, called Tags Take we want to place as many animals as pos- rescue league, and the humane society have Me Home, designed to encourage own- sible,” Stilger says. collectively spayed and neutered 3,350 cats ers to microchip their pets and have them Hall downplays the praise that comes his and 1,300 dogs. An additional 4,250 shelter wear collars and tags. Local children will way, thanks to his shelter’s repeated willing- pets had spay/neuter surgery at the shelter’s compete in an art contest, drawing posters ness to tackle challenges above and beyond in-house clinic. to illustrate the campaign; the winner will its already substantial workload. “This is Since the shelter and the two nonprof- receive a savings bond and a presentation so confusing to me,” he says. “… I thought its began their cooperative spay/neuter ef- at the mayor’s office. The graphics from the that’s why we were here.”

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 9 10 (N.Y.). supporters and Staff Rochester Greater of Society Humane Farm, the Lollypop $290,000.) about raised October last 11th shelter’s Telethon to End Petlessness annual (Her areas. metropolitan inmajor done being oftelethons heard she’s only says, Baugnon likely why, That’s challenges. pose all viewership potential size ofthe the and needed, that’s volunteers and staff from commitment time the of dollars— of thousands tens the telethon—in a on this.” ofputting on cost The trigger the ing pull before that at look definitely Iwould you, sell would station] TV local [the time air the ing dur low be would viewership the and town, in a small were you “If in Portland. Society Humane Oregon the for director munications marketing/com Baugnon, ment,” Barbara says invest on areturn to see want definitely you ashelter. for fundraiser thon’s arealistic atele if determine help that factors portant ofim anumber are there case; the not that’s But budgets. shoestring and pockets deep with urban, and rural small, and big shelters by on put nation, the across oftelethons ens doz be would were, there it everyone—if for services. and programs vital support help to ofdollars ofthousands inhundreds bring reliably that telethons own their host handful a least at notes; taking have been country in 1952.inception telethon’s the since incontributions dollars of ofmillions hundreds netting organization: the for accomplished has Lewis what from alot learn actually could ideas fundraising ofnew insearch shelters animal debate, to open be might style creative unique acause. for money raise to how knows sure guy The to admit: got Day you’ve Telethon, but Labor Association) Dystrophy (Muscular MDA annual the ing of“You’ll Walk Alone”—dur rendition Never signature, shaky his and tears shtick—the top Lewis’s Jerry over-the- savor You not might Telethons reap rewards, boost adoptions, and showcase shelter programs to the community And We’re Back BY JIM BAKER MONEY THE ME SHOW

ANIMAL SHELTERING One shelter that’s made it work is work it made that’s shelter One and work, of amount atremendous “It’s isn’t event an such organizing course, Of the around shelters some possible It’s host’s— longtime the While JULY/AUGUST 2011 JULY/AUGUST ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG ahem — ------on-air talent who helped pull off the shelter’s 15th annual telethon in March. in telethon 15th annual shelter’s the off pull helped who talent on-air and volunteers, staff, 200 the among were Drive The 100.5 station radio local of DePasquale Julie and Farm; Lollypop of president/CEO Calabrese, Alice 13 of WHAM-TV; Holland Norma and Dawson, Evan Snyder, Marty fundraiser. a televised hold to a village takes It special events manager, who’s worked events now special Farm’s Lollypop try,” Calandrillo, Debra says to gameness the havehad wouldn’t we them, with Heinz—sponsor time, the name—at abig- toting company production the for weren’t it if all, at and radar our on wasn’t “[It] years. early inthe going it keeping and a telethon, key was to starting ropes the itself. responsibilities the all over taking fore be years, four or three for model of-the-box out- company’s production the used and deal the accepted shelter afee. for The services its offered and in hand, already grant cant asignifi and sponsor apotential Farm with Lollypop approached country the around ters shel for events such running experience with company A production unexpectedly. ness goal of $208,000. of$208,000. goal the past blowing $253,000—and raising tory, his shelter’s the in event successful most the it made Polisseni Greg businessman local and supporter longtime from of$40,000 pledge A last-minute inMarch. wrapped telethon 15th its annual after to celebrate plenty had Having someone to show the shelter the to show someone Having Lollypop Farm got into the telethon busi telethon into the Farm got Lollypop - - - - - starting the telethon for next year.” next for telethon the starting and ofthem, now, two we’re on working year. the through Right moves of kind that Denver. in amachine is “It League Friends Dumb the at communications and opment ofdevel president vice Gabrielson, Rick says one. next the on begins soon programs. shelter’s the touting and adoptions of “success story” vignettes to tape avideographer/producer and corporate station, sponsors, a partnering TV volunteers, staff, shelter includes off it to pull year. needed each that’s team ground the The off it get expenses—to for to pay to $55,000 $50,000 as well effort—as and oftime ment invest year.of the asignificant takes it But fundraiser biggest shelter’s the it’s line; bottom elements.” ofthese both to without jected sub been have likely would we that of risk degree the away up, took belly go wouldn’t we that assurance financial some providing as well as atelethon, to execute ofhow book text the providing “Their telethons. five on “Large-scale events are a challenge,” are events “Large-scale over, atelethon’s once And planning Farm’s to Lollypop critical is telethon The - - - -

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2009 HLP Inc. All Rights Reserved (800) 459-8376 www.chameleonbeach.com says. Passersby can visit a “kiss- Is a Telethon Right ing booth,” where they can get for Your Shelter? a friendly lick from a dog or a Debra Calandrillo, special events man- miniature horse, or buy a few ager for Lollypop Farm, suggests that things from the Lollypop Shop, a shelters thinking about holding a tele- table stocked with pet toys and thon consider the following: other goodies. Corporate spon- n Most animal sheltering telethons sors line the set, featuring their take place in media markets much products and services; raffles are larger than Rochester; the size of held, and donation collection the market and the potential view- sites are placed around the mall. ership should be considered. “It’s a party-like atmosphere,” n Does your shelter have strong brand Calandrillo says. recognition and community aware- The average donation is ness? Those factors can help make a about $75, and the telethon telethon a success. attracts around 1,500 dona- n Analyze your main goals for having tions (not including corporate a telethon. Is it purely financial, a sponsors). Callers can use their desire to raise awareness of your Staff, volunteers, and other participants in Lollypop credit cards to donate, or make Farm’s most recent telethon celebrate the event, which shelter, or a combination of these? raised more than a quarter million dollars. a pledge and have the shelter n It might take several years to reach mail them a bill after the tele- the necessary level of financial sup- Lollypop Farm’s telethon requires the ef- thon. A few years ago, the shelter started a port. Does your shelter have the fi- forts of about 30 people, starting six months program called Humane Heroes, which is spe- nancial strength and resolve needed before the broadcast, as well as 200 staff and cific to the telethon; callers agree to give $5 to allow the event time to mature volunteers pitching in the day of the show. or more per month for one year, starting the and reach its potential? “There are a lot of contributors here. … Part month after the broadcast. The commitment n Network with other shelters. Reach of the success is because everybody’s involved is renewable at the next telethon. It enables out to your local news stations to and sharing their expertise, and it makes it a people to give at a higher level than they could see what kind of support they might much more fulfilling event,” Calandrillo says. with a one-time donation, Calandrillo says. be willing to offer. Survey your sup- Staff continuity makes the job easier; the lon- The broadcast is streamed live on WHAM- porters to see if they would be will- ger a telethon has existed, the more seamless TV’s website, so donors from outside the ing to donate to another fundraiser, it is to organize each year. Kelley Hildmeyer of Rochester area can participate, too. Corporate or internally assess whether a tele- Video Hound Productions, for example, has sponsorships begin around $500, with a mod- thon would attract new sponsors. been producing and directing Lollypop Farm’s est level of recognition, and go upward of n Do you have volunteer videogra- broadcast since the very first show. $10,000 to $25,000. Sponsors at those levels, phers, photographers, etc., who The telethon is a six-hour broadcast, from such as Hill’s Science Diet, can have sets made could donate their services to keep 3 to 9 p.m., with a half-hour break for the that include their own signage. your costs down? Do you have news. The shelter partners with WHAM-TV, The results of a successful telethon can enough content to produce a multi- the local ABC affiliate, which provides the be eye-popping. The Dumb Friends League’s hour broadcast? hosts. The program is made up of live inter- 13th annual telethon in January raised more n Would adding one more event, es- views, check presentations from corporate than $300,000 for the shelter and helped pecially of the size and complexity of sponsors, and pretaped video segments about get 69 pets adopted. And in March, the San a telethon, fry your staff, volunteers, shelter programs and some of the more than Diego SPCA and Humane Society’s 14th an- and donors? Or could you poten- 11,000 animals that come through Lollypop nual telethon raised more than $192,000. tially eliminate smaller, less popular Farm each year. Adoptable animals are also But the value of having a telethon goes events, and focus your efforts here? brought on camera. beyond the raw numbers of how much money The telethon takes place at Eastview Mall is brought in that day, or how many animals in Victor, a suburb of Rochester. Staff and vol- get adopted. It’s also about exposure. Lollypop unteers arrange the sets, including the phone Farm’s telethon influences viewers who watch banks, in the mall’s main court. “I think that’s it, according to Alice Calabrese, the shelter’s part of the reason for our success, is just the CEO/president. “[People think] ‘Wow, Lollypop visibility of it. … We get to capitalize on people has cute animals, they take good care of them, who may not even know about the telethon, they get lots of services … with the adoptions.’

but they stumble upon it that day,” Calandrillo So it’s got a lot of spillover for a long time.” FARM DIMARSICO/LOLLYPOP MARIE ANNE

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(480) 502-9622 HQ0001-20th Anniversary Ad Animal Sheltering.indd 1 4/28/11 3:00 PM info houndquarters.com houndquarters.com [scoop] Puncturing the Puppy Mill Pipeline MOUTHPIECES Michigan resident targets pet stores supplied by unethical breeding operations Declawing: It’s not (Unless your manicurist takes like off the tips aof your trip fingers.) to the spa.

BY ARNA COHEN Many people think that declawing Just add your Cats need to scratch. It helps them exercise and mark their territory. simply removes a cat’s nails— There are kinder solutions than declawing to protect your furniture! the equivalent of having your 1 Provide sturdy, tall scratching posts, and put them where your cat currently scratches—in front of your fancy divan, for example. fingernails trimmed. Sadly, this You can move them once she’s come to like them.

organization’s is far from the truth. Declawing 2 Dangle a wand toy on and around appropriate scratching surfaces to entice her to use them. traditionally involves the 3 Clap your hands when you catch her scratching inappropriately and entice her to the scratching post. amputation of the last bone of each 4 Use a product like Sticky Paws—a tape that deters cats from toe. It’s like surgically removing the scratching—to protect the furniture. contact infor- Trim he last knuckle of each of your fingers. 5 r nails, or use nail covers like Soft Paws to prevent damage.

For more tips, go to humanesocie destructive_scratching.html ty.org/animals/cats/tips/ In a city famous for heavy hitters like Michigan Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup to . mation and Henry Ford, Joe Louis, and the Detroit Tigers, protest a boutique pet store in Northville, a branding, and the name Pam Sordyl may not get instant tony Detroit suburb. hang Mouthpieces recognition. But among animal advocates, Concerned that sign-carrying protestors up in your lobby she’s known for delivering knockouts to a might alienate residents of the upscale or hand them out formidable opponent: puppy mills. community, Sordyl decided to hold a parade at your front desk, as appropriate. The indefatigable Flint, Mich., native instead. She mapped out the route, staging You don’t even need to tear out has singlehandedly built a 360-person a two-person rehearsal to gauge reactions. the page: Go to animalsheltering. org/mouthpieces to download and volunteer corps that hits the abusive industry “I’m definitely a planner,” Sordyl says. print a clean PDF copy. where it hurts most—in its wallet. Come The store owner called the police, who rain, snow, or shine, group members spend told Sordyl to leave. She complied but was Send suggestions for future Saturdays conducting “Adopt, Don’t Shop” surprised when the officer followed her and Mouthpieces to demonstrations outside pet stores that do apologized. “[He] said, ‘I actually saw this [email protected]. business with puppy mills, which subject on TV. … [My wife and I] know about puppy animals to desperate lives of confinement and mills, and I don’t think [the owner] is on the neglect. Sordyl is racking up the wins: Since up-and-up.’ He told us to come back.” owner, Sordyl informed mall managers of 2008, five of the puppy-selling pet stores About 60 people turned out for the her intent to protest. Ten days after she she’s targeted have closed. parade, accompanied by rescued dogs issued an action alert, the store liquidated. Laid off from her job as a General wearing “Priceless” price tags. So, too, did Sordyl’s powers of persuasion have Motors financial analyst, Sordyl brings the the police, who declined to intervene. Sordyl helped The HSUS reach a new milestone. In full force of her business savvy to bear on the now regularly contacts local law enforcement January, more than 1,000 stores nationwide problem. Sparked by her attendance at the beforehand to notify them of scheduled had signed its puppy-friendly pet store 2007 Taking Action for Animals conference actions. “I’m all good with the sergeant,” pledge; 90 of those signatures were gathered sponsored by The Humane Society of she says, describing a town where’s she’s singlehandedly by Sordyl. the United States (HSUS), her advocacy been protesting. “We e-mail, and he sends Michigan’s animal shelters, recognizing crystallized when she founded the Southeast me nice thank-you notes.” that cutting the puppy mill-pet store pipeline Sordyl employs the same due diligence will boost adoptions and reduce euthanasia in following the paper trail from pet store rates, have also embraced Sordyl’s efforts. to puppy mill. She pores over purchasing The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance, a coalition records and U.S. Department of Agriculture of rescue groups and shelters working inspection reports, and even travels out of toward ending pet homelessness, features state to document conditions at breeding the Meetup prominently on its website and facilities. One store owner insisted the dogs at invited her to speak at its first Getting to the his breeders had grass and shade trees. “But Goal conference last March I know different,” says Sordyl. She has the As if phone-calling, letter-writing, horrible inspection reports and photographs and protesting weren’t time-consuming of feces-laden wire cages to prove it. enough, Sordyl travels the state conducting Despite her knowledge of these horrors, lobbying workshops with HSUS Michigan Sordyl’s objective is not to put people out of state director Jill Fritz, preparing for the business but to offer a humane alternative day when a puppy mill bill makes its way to selling puppy mill dogs. A negotiator, she to the legislature floor. A bill introduced writes letters, meets with owners to present last November died in committee; budget Pam Sordyl, founder of the Southeast Michigan Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup, her evidence, and volunteers to help replace cuts make it unlikely that it will reappear battles puppy mills by encouraging people puppy sales with in-store adoption events to this term, says Sordyl, but she’s not to adopt their animals rather than buying them from pet stores. She adopted Leroy bring in potential customers. But she doesn’t discouraged. When that day does come, Brown, her Jack Russell terrier, four years hesitate to take action when necessary. she’s ready to throw the considerable ago from an animal sanctuary.

Following a fruitless meeting with one store weight of her group behind it. THIS PORTELL. PAGE: PAT OPPOSITE PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

14 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG DECLAWING: It’s not like a trip to the spa. (Unless your manicurist takes off the tips of your fingers.)

Many people think that declawing Cats need to scratch. It helps them exercise and mark their territory. There are kinder solutions than declawing to protect your furniture! simply removes a cat’s nails— 1 Provide sturdy, tall scratching posts, and put them where your cat the equivalent of having your currently scratches—in front of your fancy divan, for example. You can move them once she’s come to like them. fingernails trimmed. Sadly, this 2 Dangle a wand toy on and around appropriate scratching surfaces to entice her to use them. is far from the truth. Declawing 3 Clap your hands when you catch her scratching inappropriately traditionally involves the and entice her to the scratching post. 4 Use a product like Sticky Paws—a tape that deters cats from amputation of the last bone of each scratching—to protect the furniture. toe. It’s like surgically removing the 5 Trim her nails, or use nail covers like Soft Paws to prevent damage. last knuckle of each of your fingers. For more tips, go to humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/ destructive_scratching.html. [scoop]

requested that the SPCA consider taking Is a Nonprofit/Government Merger over the operations of the local animal service programs in hopes that the SPCA Good for Your Community? would be able to provide better care for BY RICK JOHNSON the animals and better service to the com- munity. As you look to either contract for the first time or increase government con- tracts in your community, here are some is- sues to consider. The Sacramento SPCA recruited La Piana Consulting, through a grant awarded by the ASPCA (find out more at ASPCApro.org and click on “Grants”). La Piana has extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions of nonprofit agencies. We asked them for an independent analysis of the financial opportunities and risks of an acquisition by the SPCA of the County of Sacramento and the City of Sacramento animal shelters. (More than 45,000 animals annually enter our combined shelters.) In the exploration stage, we wanted to find answers to many questions. Does supervising a government program fit into our mission? What might all the elements of this acquisition/merger look like? What is the financial viability of the long-term merger of housing, spay/neuter, adoption, licensing, etc.? Should we bid on hous- ing, managing field services, or the whole pact the animals we serve in many ways, program? What wealth of resources could including live release rates, field service op- we utilize? How would this merger be per- erations, and adoptions. ceived in our community? Keeping in mind that our ultimate goal You must closely examine the govern- is to save lives, the effects of budget cuts ment entity as a whole. After every election, can also provide new opportunities to work you may end up reporting to an entirely dif- more effectively. Municipalities, in larger ferent team than you negotiated with at the numbers, are looking at nonprofit animal time of the contract. The team includes the Humane organizations contracting for welfare, care, and control organizations local police department, city services, and all or part of local government animal ser- to provide some form of support, ranging the city council—each with their own ideas vices is not a new concept, but one that from housing animals to a comprehensive about how to best manage animal services. has resulted in many successful collabora- contract for all animal services. The beauty If your intake model is one that only receives tions over the years. However, the current of the nonprofit model is that it has fewer relinquishments, your current animal popula- economic slump has further hurt govern- constraints: It enables you to keep bureau- tion may have a higher adoption rate than a ment budgets, and in some cases severely cracy to a minimum, take advantage of a city or county shelter, but government animal reduced city or county animal services. As motivated volunteer base, try a multitude of control takes in stray animals with no history, the effects of these financial cuts “trickle approaches to an issue, and make changes which can present challenges on placement in down” into our communities, they can im- in a heartbeat. your community. You may need to hire a dedi- Due to dramatic budget reductions in cated employee to manage the government our community, local government animal relationship, or create new job descriptions SAWA 2011 Conference service agencies were losing critical staff for several employees to manage the contract. San Francisco, and no longer able to fully serve our com- Governments have limited resources; you must Calif., Nov. 13-15 munity. Administrators of both the County anticipate layoffs and further budget changes

of Sacramento and the City of Sacramento (in your contract as well). SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

16 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG HSU_Ad_ASM_10_10:Layout 1 10/7/10 2:33 PM Page 1

You help animals. We help you. From a board of directors’ perspective, consider whether expanding your contract or management of the operation is a good busi- ness decision. When you absorb a government Humane Society University provides an academic program, rather than simply working together, curriculum exclusively dedicated to human-animal studies. Undergraduate there is economy of scale on adoptions, care degrees and graduate certificates can be completed online or with for animals, and buying of products. There a combination of online and onsite classes. We also offer a variety may be advantages to providing a consistent of professional development courses on topics such as animals in message to the community on events, adop- disaster, animal fighting investigations, mastering animal sheltering tions, and spay/neuter, which could ultimately basics, and confronting compassion fatigue. benefit the animals in your community, and increase your fundraising potential. For more information, visit humanesocietyuniversity.org The change in culture and preparation or contact [email protected]. for that change must be key to your decision. The new culture you create is a shared Humane Society University culture between a nonprofit organization 2100 L Street, NW with a variety of programs and services, Washington, DC 20037 and a government animal services agency p 202.676.2390 with its own mandates and requirements f 202.778.6147 … and there is no separating them. The collaboration will change the mindset of Licensed by the DC Education Licensure Commission all employees. They may need to embrace a change in staffing levels, changes in promotions and career growth, and a new organizational chart. The contract negotiation may include an option for the government to absorb shelter employees within other government service areas. In our feasibility study, we wanted to know if the employees were union or non- union; would hiring them impact the cost of running the program? Take a look at the government facility. In our case, there is value in the physical structure, as Sacramento County Animal Care and Regulation is a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold shelter, meaning it’s a federally recognized green facility. Think about how community perception can be impacted. There are many passionate animal supporters, volunteers, and advocates who will view this contract with expectations and concerns. In the end, you must make a decision that is best for your community; helps you fulfill your mission; supports spay/neuter, humane education, and community awareness; and is financially sustainable. Saving animal lives Learn. Lead. Achieve. remains our ultimate goal. Humane Society University is committed to providing equal access to educational opportunities for all applicants re- gardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital, or veteran status in com- pliance with Federal and state laws and regulations. All benefits, privileges, and opportunities offered by Humane Society University are available to all students and employees in accordance with federal and District of Columbia laws and reg- Rick Johnson is executive director of ulations. This policy is applicable to all personnel policies and practices including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, Sacramento SPCA and a board member compensation, transfers, layoffs, terminations, benefits, and social and recreational programs. of SAWA.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 17 18 COHEN BY ARNA MUTT by vet students from Oregon State University University State Oregon from students by vet staffed and ofOregon Cat Coalition Feral the by hosted aclinic sponsored HSVMA where Ore., in Corvallis, neutered and spayed 100 were than more while there, sterilized were feral cats Eighty-six in surgeries. assist and to observe opportunity the students technician veterinary and 45 veterinary gave also but clinic the for support financial provided only not that a partnership clinic, ofFerals Friends County Dane the staff and fund helped chapter student its and (HSVMA) Association Medical Veterinary 17th Society Day. Spay annual Humane The International Society States/Humane United ofthe Society Humane ofThe inhonor cats feral neuter and to spay Wis., Madison, in together gathered business, all were costume.” participants creative the But like “most titles for competed Sensation Castration and Kitty Hello named teams while background, the in played songs Scrubs. show TV the from Spay cadets.

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THIS PAGE: WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY. OPPOSITE PAGE, LOWER LEFT: WISCONSIN HUMANE SOCIETY; RIGHT: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Clinical Immunology. In a small clinical trial with 88 patients, a single injection When people see cats outdoors, they’re reduced the skin’s inflammatory reaction often unsure what to do. Is that roaming cat by 40 percent and elicited no serious side a neighbor’s pet who is allowed outdoors, effects. Five to eight doses a year may be a lost or abandoned pet, or a feral? This required initially, a small inconvenience for new brochure helps the public help cats, the ability to bury one’s face in cat fur. providing advice not only on how to find a pet cat who’s gotten lost, but on how to The skinny on fat pets. The Association determine the circumstances and provide for Pet Obesity Prevention is sounding a assistance to cats they may find wandering warning about a disturbing trend. No, not outdoors. Order brochures for distribution the tendency to purchase matching pet-and- at animalsheltering.org/catbrochure. owner outfits, but that as more Americans become obese, so, too, do more of our pets. The association’s fourth annual National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study, facilitated by the Banfield Pet Hospital chain, examined LEEDing by example. Green is the locally, reducing carbon emissions associated 133 adult cats and 383 adult dogs across the favorite color at the Ozaukee campus of the with transportation. Reflecting the society’s country and found that 53.4 percent of cats Wisconsin Humane Society. The new shelter origins as a humane education organization, and veterinary clinic, which opened in March, the lobby holds an interactive exhibit that has incorporated a number of eco-friendly takes visitors on a scavenger hunt for green and energy-saving features that are expected features throughout the building, as well to earn the 22,000-square-foot facility a as displays that teach about animals and Leadership in Energy and Environmental the need to treat them, and each other, Design (LEED) gold certification. Solar panels with kindness. The Ozaukee campus and on the roof heat water for hand washing its sister shelter in Milwaukee adopt out a and bathing animals, while the roof itself combined total of nearly 10,000 pets a year reduces heat absorption. Rain barrels collect and frequently take in animals transferred storm water runoff to irrigate the lawn and from overcrowded shelters in other states. gardens designed with native plants. Many Ozaukee opened its doors with 42 puppies construction materials were manufactured from a shelter in Kentucky; by the end of the day, only two remained.

Coming right at-choo. Allergies are one of the top 10 reasons cats are surrendered and 55.6 percent of dogs were overweight or to shelters. The severity of an allergy can obese. Based on these results, an estimated vary, but those with serious reactions face 50 million cats and 43 million dogs are a tough choice: deal with weekly allergy packing too many pounds, most certainly due shots that may or not work and have side to too many treats and not enough exercise effects of their own, or give up a beloved (sound familiar?). A 19-pound cat whose companion. But hope springs eternal. ideal weight is 10 pounds is analogous to a Mark Larche and a team of researchers 5-foot-9-inch adult male human weighing at McMaster University in Ontario, 321 pounds, while a 48-pound dog who Canada, have developed a vaccine that should weigh 22 pounds is the same as could change the lives of allergic owners a 5-foot-9-inch adult male weighing 368 and their cats. The researchers created a pounds. As in humans, lugging around extra vaccine made of seven synthetic peptides weight can have serious consequences for modeled on an immune-stimulating protein pets, contributing to arthritis and joint pain, secreted by cats. The synthetic peptides diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney tell the immune cells that they’re harmless, disease. Comprehensive information on pet no need to get nasty, according to the obesity and how to combat it is available at report published in Journal of Allergy & petobesityprevention.com.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 19 coffee break

Good Mews Animal Foundation offers a What are some program that allows experienced volunteers to work one-on-one with cats that need of your favorite special attention or socialization. Kitty Buddies commit to spend at least 30 minutes every programs to week with each cat they choose to buddy. While some KB cats just need extra attention, help cats? most need help to overcome trauma, neglect, or abuse. Kitty Buddies work with the cats That’s the question we asked for on a long-term basis to help them become this issue’s Coffee Break, and you more social and adoptable. It’s more than responded with an outpouring just petting and playing; most of the KB cats of creative—and successful— require intensive work to overcome fear or programs that are making a aggression. We observe each cat’s behavior, difference in your communities. determine what the cat needs, and then help We were excited to hear about the cat meet those goals. We record our so many good things happening progress and perform periodic evaluations; for kitties! To read more of your our observations are available to the adoption responses and answer our next counselors. Kitty Buddies even socialized question, go to animalsheltering. When renovating our shelter we turned a three feral cats; two have already been org/coffeebreak. former front-room office with a street view adopted. Such results prove the effectiveness into a cage-free cat room. The room was of our program. a community effort. It was designed and —Joyce Fetterman, Kitty Buddy coordinator built by students of the Montclair University Good Mews Animal Foundation industrial design program with materials Marietta, Georgia donated by local businesses. The train station is around the corner, and it’s terrific to watch I knew about Operation Catnip (OC) long commuters walk by and then do a double before I moved to Florida. [The nonprofit take, stop, and take time out of their busy organization has offered free spay/neuter day to smile at our cats in the window. It surgeries and vaccines for unowned, free- really connects our cats and our community roaming community cats in Alachua County and often leads to adoptions. since 1998. It’s a cooperative effort among —Melissa Neiss, shelter operations Alachua County Animal Services, the supervisor/senior animal control officer University of Florida College of Veterinary Montclair Township Animal Shelter Medicine, and local rescue groups.] Its Montclair, New Jersey reputation was impressive—250 cats sterilized in a single day! This, I had to see. We are proud of our Cat Castle that al- After witnessing all of the volunteers in action lows our cats and kitties to be in a room just one Sunday, I vowed to return as a surgeon, for them with access to a screened porch for to do my part to help the community cats of fresh air. There are rockers for people to sit Alachua County. Having been a participant for with the felines. A local artist donated her the past two years, I still look forward to the time to hand paint the rooms. The room was Operation Catnip Sundays. The satisfaction of built with a generous donation and is a big walking out into the hallway at the conclusion hit with the felines and the public. of surgery, and seeing the hundreds of kitties —Bruce Fishalow, executive director recovering in their humane traps, is hard to Humane Society of Marion County beat. Thank you, OC, for letting me be a part Ocala, Florida of this great team effort! —Sarah Kirk, veterinarian Operation Catnip

Gainesville, Florida SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

20 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG [coffee break]

Our most utilized cat-related program is We started the Smarty Cats reading Congratulations to Kim Brown, Operation FFAT Cat (Feral Feeding Assistance program. Kids can come out and pick a cat or whose submission was selected Team). This is a comprehensive program that cats that they would like to read to. We have in a random drawing from those uses a team-based community approach to a room with a couch and a bookcase full of published in this issue. Her manage our local feral populations. Through books and of course a litter pan. Kids pick a organization, the St. Charles our organization, the colony manager applies book and read to the cat. Great opportunity to become part of the team. The application to get to know the cat, practice reading, and Humane Society in Missouri, includes the location of the colony and keep all the cats social. This is something a will receive a free coffee break: descriptions, including spay/neuter status, of person of any age can do. Works well for a $50 gift certificate to a local all the cats in the colony. We then do a colony people who live in an apartment and can’t coffee shop. “Bone” appétit! inspection to determine the needs. Then have a pet of their own. the team gets to work. Local veterinarians —Ann Sanders, director perform low-cost spay and neuter surgeries Humane Society of Saline County subsidized by us. Local builders provide Bauxite, Arkansas shelters. As soon as the colony can be described as managed, more than 80 percent While it is better than being out on the altered, and having sufficient shelter, our streets, shelter life is not every cat’s cup organization provides half of the necessary of tea. It can be very stressful with all the food to the caretaker. The food is provided noise and activity and all the other cats. to us by local team member merchants at a As a volunteer, I started a program called significant discount. In the six months since Cat Whisperers, which pairs experienced the program was established, we now provide cat socializers/volunteers up with cats who food for more than 300 altered cats daily! are having trouble settling in or who have —Gillian Wood Pultz, executive director other issues such as shyness, short petting North Fork Animal Welfare League Inc. tolerance, or depression. The Cat Whisperers Southold, New York commit to working one-on-one with a cat for a minimum of a half hour two days per week Check out the latest Coffee Break We do cat adoption promotions to inspire (some even come in more often). It gives the question and submit your responses the public to adopt and educate them on cats’ cat a sense of security and someone stable in (150 words or less) at animalsheltering. needs in the home. We’re getting ready for their current transitional life. Feedback from org/coffeebreak or send them to Editor, St. Catrick’s Day, and we do Cinco De Meow, the Cat Whisperers also helps staff understand Animal Sheltering/HSUS, 2100 L St. Feline Independence Day, etc. Adopters get and address the cats’ individual needs. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. Your discounted adoption rates, go home with cat —Linda Bailey, volunteer answer may be printed in a future care info, handmade cat toys and treats, plus Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center issue of Animal Sheltering. If your information about our free cat-training classes Riverside, California response is chosen for publication, you and behavioral support line. For St. Catrick’s will be entered into a drawing to win a Day, all their goodies are placed in a yellow We partner with the St. Louis Blues free coffee break (valued at $50) for litter pan, and they get a free “Pot ’O Gold,” hockey team to help promote our animals. your organization. Responses may be while Cinco De Meow’s adoption fees are $5 David’s Dogs started with Blues player David edited for length or clarity; no donation for adult cats and $55 for kittens, plus adopters Backes. We then started Kelly’s Kats with his or purchase is necessary to win. See receive a free catnip taco. The holiday themes wife. Each month we choose three of each, animalsheltering.org for contest rules, allow the shelter to also decorate, giving the and they come out to have their pictures or send an email or letter to the above public a new impression of the “gloomy, dark” taken with the animals. The photos are then addresses to request a printed copy. animal shelter and cheering up our staff and posted on the St. Louis Blues website and our volunteers through a festive environment! website, along with other places. We also —Sam Lenser, cat behavior department have a kitty stroller that we bring to events TAILS Humane Society with an adoptable cat. DeKalb, Illinois —Kim Brown, executive director St. Charles Humane Society St. Charles, Missouri

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 21 F1

HEREfor a Reason

One dog’s story should remind us to rally around all homeless animals, not just the ones with dramatic backgrounds

BY CARRIE ALLAN

The pup known as Wall-E was abandoned with his littermates at a tiny Oklahoma shelter. The litter was euthanized, but Wall-E survived and was found in a Dumpster the next day. Local animal rescuer Amanda Kloski took the pup in, publicized his story, and found him a home. That’s one happy ending. ... Now, how to make more of them? n Sulphur, Okla., last February, a puppy seemingly came One of those people was Lorinda Mills, who’d been back from the dead. working with a shelter in nearby Davis, Okla. Mills and In doing so, he joined the ranks of the many ani- her daughter Michelle frequently take shelter animals to mals who’ve briefly captured the public’s hearts after the local grocery store, hoping to connect them with an a dramatic rescue or a harrowing case of abuse. You adopter. Mills agreed to hold the puppy at the grocery store Iknow these stories: A cat, thrown out a window by a vindic- while Kloski ran some errands; she hoped he’d find a home tive boyfriend. A dog dragged behind a truck, nursed back that day. to health by caring clinic workers. “We pray for all the pets that we do this for,” says And every now and then—as in Sulphur—the drama Mills. “We don’t know whether this one is destined to starts at a shelter, when an animal survives a botched find a home and this one isn’t, but we pray anyway. And euthanasia. Michelle was holding the puppy and we had a little silent These particular stories make shelter directors cringe, pri- prayer for him, and Michelle said, ‘Mom, I think this dog marily at the thought of the animal’s suffering. They cringe, looks like a Wall-E dog.’” Both Mills and Kloski liked the too, because the event typically means someone screwed up. name, taken from the Pixar movie about a little robot Somewhere, a procedure wasn’t followed, and an animal had who’s the last of his kind. a traumatic and possibly painful experience. Then, of course, He didn’t get adopted that day, but Mills recalls telling there’s the publicity, which can be a mixed blessing. her daughter that she thought he would find a home—be- With a little publicity, an animal who’s lived through cause he had such a great story. a dramatic ordeal will almost certainly find a home. In this Sure enough, soon after that, Kloski got Wall-E on age of Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, these animals—the Petfinder. An animal lover in Pittsburgh saw the post and cat found yowling in a malfunctioning gas chamber, the started a Facebook page for the puppy. Then came YouTube dog who survives having been set on fire—often hit the videos and the news coverage, and applications to adopt Internet and media with the force of myth. They become the seemingly resurrected puppy poured in from around the celebrated icons of an indomitable will to survive, generat- country. At press time, Kloski had finally selected a family ing the kind of passion to adopt that shelter staff can usu- for Wall-E after wading through thousands of applications. ally only dream of gleaning for their animals. She had finalists in Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, and In the Sulphur case, animal control officer Scott Prall Connecticut. One person applied from France. found a litter of puppies left in one of the pens outside the He “may be the luckiest dog ever,” said a reporter for shed that serves as the local animal shelter. They were un- Good Morning America, which covered the story. derweight and looked sickly, and Prall was concerned about Kloski has told several reporters that she thinks Wall-E infecting the 18 dogs already being held in the shelter’s 10 is here for a reason. And perhaps he is. He’s an adorable, cages. With approval from his supervisor, Prall contacted the friendly pooch, romping around in the videos that went viral vet who works with the shelter, who came out to put them on the Internet. to sleep. The litter was euthanized along with one larger But while he may be the lone survivor of his litter, he is dog who’d been at the shelter for a long time; the veterinar- not the last of his kind. ian checked their hearts and verified that all were dead. “We don’t have any other place to put them, so they Bittersweet Publicity went into the Dumpster, and the Dumpster was supposed to For every “miracle dog” like Wall-E, hundreds of ani- be offloaded the next morning,” says Prall. mals are still coming into animal shelters, and many of them But the next morning—it was cold that night, in the never leave. For every dramatic story that catches the eye of 30s—when he checked to make sure the Dumpster had the media and the hearts of the public, there are thousands been emptied, it hadn’t been. “The dogs were still in there, of others whose less dramatic, less “sexy,” circumstances and the baby dog was on top of the larger dog, just staring meet with ugly reality: high surrender numbers, bad luck, up at me,” says Prall. a failure to connect with a potential adopter, a lack of good foster and rescue collaborations, poor adoption promotions, Miracle Dog a lingering bias against shelter animals, or any number of The puppy went back to the vet’s office, and the vet- other setbacks. erinarian checked him out. He was wormy, but otherwise Kloski knows this all too well. While she’s been amazed healthy. Amanda Kloski, a kennel tech at the vet’s office and inspired by the interest in Wall-E, she says some ap- who’d been promoting adoptions at the shelter, heard plicants have been impatient about how long the process about what had happened, and was determined to save the is taking. “So I put some things online saying, ‘If you want puppy. Kloski took him in, nicknamed him “Miracle Dog,” a dog right away, we have all these other dogs that don’t and began working with the small network of local animal have even one person interested, and you could adopt them

OPPOSITE PAGE: GAVIN KLOSKI lovers to try to get him adopted. right away,’” she says.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 23 lessons from Wall-E

While thousands applied to adopt Wall-E, other dogs at the tiny shelter in Sulphur waited for just one person to show interest. The stray dog problem in the area is significant, according to Amanda Kloski, and the shelter is overwhelmed. Local animal lovers are trying THIS PAGE, PHOTO: AMANDA KLOSKI; ART: RON BURNS. OPPOSITE: AMANDA KLOSKI to raise money for a better facility.

She thinks, especially, of a dog named Sammy, a shepherd mix who was scheduled to be euthanized at the Sulphur shelter. “She had been there for about a month and a half, and I kept trying to get her adopted. They ended up euthaniz- ing another dog, so she got her second chance—not as dra- matically as Wall-E, but it was a second chance,” says Kloski. “But I still couldn’t get her placed, and she ended up getting euthanized anyway. And, man, I wish her Petfinder site had taken off in the same way.” It is dogs like Wall-E who make the news. But it is dogs like Sammy who represent the vast majority of the shelter pets in America. They are the animals whose owners never threw them off a rooftop, who were never set on fire, who aren’t suf- fering from an aggressive cancer, who didn’t wake from a botched euthanasia to strike an emotional chord with fickle two-legged creatures who bore easily but love a great story. They are the nice cats, given up because their own- ers moved and couldn’t find pet-friendly housing. They are the slightly rambunctious dogs who couldn’t adjust to life around kids, and the accidental litter of kittens out of which only one was wanted. And while we understandably rally around inspiring, high-drama rescues and survival stories, it is mostly these Artist Ron Burns was inspired to paint the pup, “average” animals who continue to die in overwhelmed and and is selling prints of his portrait; 40 percent of the profits will go toward the construction of underfunded animal shelters. a new shelter for Murray County, where Wall-E Weren’t they “here for a reason,” too? and his littermates were abandoned.

24 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG Since Wall-E woke up, hundreds of animals have been euthanized at shelters around the country. Beyond some car- ing shelter staff and volunteers, no one will ever remember their names—because we as a society continue to generate more homeless animals than we adopt. Because, in some places, shelters and rescues continue to battle and snipe at each other rather than collaborating to save more lives. Because the animals didn’t have a dramatic enough story, and so went to their deaths unnoticed and unclaimed.

The Human Love of Drama Of course, it’s only human to connect to a dramatic story, and shelters and rescues can sometimes use these stories to steer visitors who arrive hoping to adopt the lat- A healthy, soon-to-be-adopted Wall-E revisits the est celebrity toward pets with less dramatic—or simply un- Dumpster where he was found by ACO Scott Prall the morning after he and his littermates were euthanized. known—personal histories. In a 2009 interview with Animal Sheltering, Mike Arms, president of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, discussed He’s hopeful that the coming years will see a larger a case at one of his former shelters: A pregnant cat had shelter built, one that the cities of Sulphur and Davis will come in badly burned, and the publicity around the case had share. In the meantime, he has help promoting adoptions resulted in a “run” on her kittens. “We ended up adopting from Kloski and the little network of animal lovers that out close to 200 kittens because everyone came to the facil- seems to exist in every town—and is often one of the few ity with the intent of taking home one of these highly pub- sources of hope for those animals in municipalities over- licized kittens,” Arms said. “When people came in asking whelmed by budget challenges and outdated attitudes to- for these kittens, we just sent them to the kitten room. So ward animal welfare. many people left the facility believing they adopted one of Kloski has a passion to make a difference, but even Scarlett’s kittens.” she admits that it’s a hard slog dealing with the never- Deceptive? Maybe. Lifesaving? Certainly. Shelters that ending stream. “We got almost everybody placed last take in an animal with a dramatic tale would do well to learn week. I was so happy—we had only two dogs left,” she how to use those singular stories for the good of the many. says. “Then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we got 18 But for all their necessity, these ways of turning the dogs in. … And I was so mad. And it’s because of lack of human love of drama into homes for more animals are still spay/neuter; people don’t do it. A lot of animals get sick reactive solutions. They occur once the animals are already and then [people] dump them because they didn’t vacci- in trouble, already homeless, already in a shelter. nate them. And had Wall-E not been dumped in the first They don’t get at the root cause. Animal welfare groups place, he would never have been put in that situation. So can’t forever be playing catch-up, hurling thousands of that’s where I get upset.” pounds of cure at a problem communities need to prevent. If Wall-E is here for a reason, let it be this: To remind the When we say that Wall-E is “here for a reason,” we’re public (and ourselves) that it’s not just the rare and horrible thinking primarily of his survival of the euthanasia drugs cases—the feline burn victim, the canine Lazarus—who de- pumped into his tiny system. serve attention and dedication. But what about the reason he was “here” in the first place? We’re here, too, for the Sammys—the good dogs and Remember: Wall-E had littermates. All of them, too, calm kitties who can’t help the fact that they arrived in our were euthanized; none of them woke up. care not by way of a psychotic abuser or a terrible house All of them, too, were here for a reason: Someone, likely fire, but via plain old boring human failings and unfortunate with no ill intentions, allowed their dog to breed, couldn’t circumstances: a lost job; a messy divorce; an I’ll-get-to-it- care for the pups, and abandoned them at an already over- later approach to spay/neuter that boils down to simple, crowded, overwhelmed animal shelter. A shelter where Scott tragic laziness. Prall, the lone animal control officer for Sulphur, will see in- These problems may not have the “pop” to make the take pick up steadily during the summer months. Where he nightly news and circle the world on YouTube, but they still not only handles field services but the care and feeding of make up a good part of the way we live—and the way our all the dogs at the shelter. Currently, he says, even though communities’ animals die. “cats are overrunning this town,” animal control can’t even Providing resources and finding ways to address them handle them unless there’s an aggressive one attacking peo- must be our goal. ple in the community. We, too, are here for a reason.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 25 The ASV Guidelines in Real Life Part Two: Serving Up Enrichment to the Dogs at the Austin Humane Society

BY SANDRA NEWBURY, D.V.M. In 2010, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) released a document several years in the making: Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. Developed by a roster of veterinary experts, the standards are designed to “balance animal welfare science with practical and realistic recommendations for shelters,” and to provide a vision based on the needs of animals, which, the authors noted, remain the same regardless of how individual organizations’ missions and resources may differ. Here, we feature the second in a series of stories using real-life shelter examples to demonstrate how the ASV standards can be applied within the sheltering and rescue field to create better and more humane outcomes for the creatures we care for.

When you walk into the dog adoptions area at the Austin Focus on canine enrichment Humane Society (AHS) these days, you may notice a funny According to the ASV Guidelines, “Enrichment should sound. If you’ve spent too much time in dog kennels, you be given the same significance as other components may find this sound mysterious, and try to remember when of animal care, such as nutrition and veterinary care, you last heard it—or more specifically, didn’t hear it. and should not be considered optional. At a minimum, It is quiet. Nobody is barking. Almost every dog is sitting animals must be provided regular social contact, mental on their behind, looking at you expectantly. stimulation and physical activity.” This is a pleasant environment for humans and dogs. There Austin Humane Society is one of a group of shelters that are no discombobulated visitors, reeling back after approaching have started a hand-feeding, enrichment, and training pro- a dog’s kennel and being sprayed with water, or worse, from the gram for their adoptable dogs. Begun in 2009, theirs is based flailing happy paws and other enthusiasms on the opposite side on the Open Paw program created by Dr. Ian Dunbar and Kelly of the enclosure door. No one has their hands over their ears. Gorman. Leading the charge at AHS was animal care/facility Many shelters’ dog areas are deafening. Why is this so supervisor Crystal Tysz, who had great support from the shel- different? Could it be possible there are only well-behaved ter director, administrators, and all the shelter veterinarians. dogs in Austin, Texas? Obviously, that’s not the answer. The dogs in Austin are Better Times in the Kennels no more naturally quiet or obedient than they are anywhere Tysz had been watching behavior, animal and human, in the else (in fact, if the city’s reputation holds, they may be a shelter. She realized that dogs seemed to get rewards only little weirder). The peace and quiet at the Austin Humane when they were outside of the cage. Society isn’t magical; it was achieved because shelter staff The shelter was looking for “a way for volunteers to

ALL PHOTOS: CRYSTAL TYSZ/AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY implemented practices that brought it into being. interact with all the dogs, even for new volunteers with

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 27 enrichment for dogs

the dogs to enrich the time they spend in their kennels as well as increase their “kennel appeal.” As the ASV guidelines state, and AHS recognized, “Regular, positive daily social interactions with humans are essential for both dogs and cats. These interactions are crucial for stress reduction and are a powerful form of enrichment.” The ASV Guidelines also point to research that shows training programs for dogs and cats (e.g. to condition or teach basic obedience commands or tricks) also serve as an important source of stimulation and social contact. For dogs, such train- ing has been shown to increase chances for rehoming.

Defining Programs and Setting Goals Tysz had been to several conferences and trainings and done her homework on canine enrichment programs that others had outlined, implemented, and tested. She’d learned that “a bowl of food is a wasted opportunity”—because staff As the ASV guidelines state—and the Austin Humane Society recognized— could instead be using food to train the dogs. “Regular, positive daily social interactions with humans are essential for both As recommended in the guidelines, AHS created a clear, dogs and cats. These interactions are crucial for stress reduction and are a powerful form of enrichment.” written protocol that outlined the program and provided training for staff and volunteers to introduce the enrichment program before they began. They worked from the Open Paw protocol that was created by experts in the field and had been reviewed by veterinarians at the University of California- Davis Koret Shelter Medicine program. They realized because of all the great resources available, there was no need to re- invent the wheel. The protocol identified several goals, explained the Open Paw model for the program, and included a set of FAQs anticipating questions from staff and volunteers. Their goals were to provide mental stimulation and de- crease stress for shelter dogs; increase kennel appeal; help dogs form positive associations (for example, between the appearance of visitors and the presentation of snacks!); decrease length of stay by increasing speed of adoptions; maintain behavioral wellness for dogs who would be at the shelter for longer stretches; and prepare dogs to transition into a home environment. The protocol for the enrichment program included infor- mation on how to answer potential questions from adopt- Staff at the Austin Humane Society follow the philosophy that “a bowl of ers. The shelter staff hoped that adopters would continue food is a wasted opportunity,” because staff, volunteers, and visitors could instead be using food to train the dogs. hand-feeding after the dogs went home; hand-feeding may help to cement the bond between a dog and his new per- son and provides just as many great training opportunities at limited training,” says Tysz. Austin Humane Society has home as it does in the shelter. The program helps counselors a tiered-level dog walking program and, as happens in open a dialogue with adopters about human/animal bond- many shelters, the “easy”-level dogs were getting taken ing and the benefits of hand-feeding after adoption. out for walks over and over while the upper-level, more challenging dogs—who may actually need more atten- You Can Feed the Animals! tion—often got less. Allowing visitors to take part in giving treats provides posi- Tysz also noticed that dogs’ jumping and barking was a tive reinforcement for the dogs, and engages the humans. major turnoff for adopters, and that the dogs who were sit- Here’s how it works: The daily food allowance for each ting quietly were more likely to get attention and more likely dog is put into a bin at human-eye level on the front of each

to get adopted. The shelter wanted to do something for all dog’s kennel. Signage instructs visitors, “Please feed the ALL PHOTOS: CRYSTAL TYSZ/AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY

28 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG dogs! It’s OK to feed the animals here! Help us train our dogs. Toss a handful of kibble into the dog’s cage.” Staff and volunteers are trained to be part of the program, rewarding dogs with food when they come to the front of their kennels or whenever they perform a desirable behavior. Their protocol encourages everyone to participate, noting that everyone’s responsible for making sure the dogs get enough to eat. The staff make sure each dog gets an appropriate amount to eat every day. Volunteers may feed the dogs directly by hand, without tossing the food, but they are trained to sanitize their hands between dogs. Since puppies may be more susceptible to infectious dis- ease or compete with littermates for food, they are still fed via bowls. Sick dogs aren’t currently part of the program. While Tysz wants to do even more enrichment, the changes AHS has made so far have gotten wonderful re- views from shelter visitors. Adopters say they really enjoy the interactions with the animals. Kids especially love to be able to have a safe, fun way to interact with the dogs. The pro- gram seems to work well from the dog’s-eye view as well. Shelter staff report dogs spend more time settled and calm during visitor hours, and those who are shy come up to the front of the cage more often.

Challenges Some of the biggest challenges in getting the program on track have been about training, staff time, and acceptance Allowing visitors to take part in giving treats of change. Getting staff and volunteers the training and the provides positive reinforcement for the dogs, and engages the humans. time they need is really important to getting things right with the dogs. Shelter staff report that it can be difficult to get to all the or animal care. As we have long suspected, the viral load dogs often enough during the day; it is a big responsibility is usually volumes higher on staff and volunteers than it on top of their other duties. Dogs on special diets require is on the hands of visitors. That makes good training on extra signage so the public doesn’t take food from one bin hand sanitation doubly important. and toss it in the wrong kennel. Also, the dogs still go crazy What’s more, the shelter seems friendlier to visitors; and happily lunge at the doors when volunteers come in to signs saying “Please feed the dogs!” instead of “DON’T collect them for outside playtime. Excitement runs high for touch the dogs!” put out a welcome mat and engage dogs and humans, and it takes a lot of patience to balance visitors in the shelter’s work. Some staff have raised con- trying to get walks in for everyone with waiting for good cerns about dogs eating directly off the floor, so the shel- behavior before opening that kennel door. ter is going to try using bowls at the front of the kennel Some people were concerned that there would be as a target. too many germs on visitors’ hands. Asking people to toss the food (rather than feed it directly) really helps prevent What’s Next? animal-to-animal spread. But if that doesn’t allay your Tysz wants to start a program for volunteers to enter fears, at the University of California Davis Koret Shelter the kennels and quietly read to the dogs, a practice Medicine Program, we’ve been able to actually measure that’s been implemented elsewhere with great success. the amount of organic material on the hands of visitors She has already identified some helpful resources for compared to what’s on the shelter staff during cleaning reading programs. Dogs in shelters get so accustomed to frenetic bursts of excitement and activity every time people show up—but most adopters (and most shelter Resources staff) don’t want that all the time. Sharing some down For info about the Open Paw protocol, check time with dogs gives them a chance to unwind and out openpaw.org/about/shelters.html. trains them that good things can happen even without all the rambunctiousness.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 29 Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting law enforcement for The Humane Society of the United States, shares a happy moment with a dog seized from an alleged fighting situation. The old arguments against placing fight-bust dogs “just aren’t really justified,” he explains.

A NEW DAY FOR FIGHT-BUST DOGS Advocates push the individual approach for dogs rescued from fighting operations BY JAMES HETTINGER

BERNIE DOESN’T DISCRIMINATE: HE LOVES EVERYBODY. Foundation Inc. (AFF), which assisted with the fight bust Children, old people, tall people, short people. “He comes and its aftermath. up and he leans in, and he looks up at you with his little In California, Bernie became a certified therapy dog, eyes, and his adorable little black face, and then he opens and began visiting at-risk children during Our Pack’s humane his mouth like a pant … and it’s like a big smile,” explains education presentations at the Oakland Animal Services Marthina McClay, an animal trainer who founded and serves (OAS) shelter. as president of Our Pack Inc., a pit bull rescue group in McClay says as a visual aid, he’s hard to beat. California. “And he’s just like, ‘Gosh, don’t you love me? I She tells the kids where he came from and asks what sure love you.’” they would have expected. Invariably, they’re surprised, He gives more love now than he likely received in and say they would have expected him to be aggressive his formative years. Bernie is one of the “Ohio 200”—a or unfeeling. They’ll stare at him, McClay says, and start group of pit bulls rescued last September from an alleged thinking about why someone would want to hurt such a dogfighting operation in southeastern Ohio. Our Pack loving creature, and whether they’d want to be treated acquired him through the New York-based Animal Farm that way.

30 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG Lessons from Leo “We’ve had some of them actually make the comment, Optimistic. Gregarious. Happy to see people. And “like ‘I know what it’s like to be in trouble. I know what it’s like to a big, doofy puppy.” be trapped and feeling like you can’t get out,’” McClay says. Those aren’t descriptions traditionally associated with “… Hopefully—I’m crossing my fingers here—we’re making dogs raised in dogfighting operations, yet that’s how that connection with the kids, and providing a different Marthina McClay describes Leo, a pit bull rescued in 2007 future for the animals that way.” from the notorious kennel in southern Virginia owned by Our Pack has helped rescue several dogs from fighting football star Michael Vick. operations, including one from the Michael Vick case in Nearly four years 2007. McClay—who’s been working with animals since later, Leo—now around the 1970s—says the experience has amounted to a college 6—leads a life dramati- for behavior. “One thing I learned is that you can’t judge a cally different from the dog by the property he’s lived on, and you can’t judge him one he had at Vick’s Bad by any breed profile,” she says. “You have to judge him as Newz Kennels. Adopted an individual.” by McClay—a dog But these dogs haven’t always been treated that way. trainer who founded Years ago, many law enforcement officials viewed dogs and serves as president of from fighting operations not as victims of cruelty, but as Our Pack Inc., a California- evidence or criminal tools—“the four-legged equivalent of Leo and a patient based pit bull rescue organiza- an automatic weapon”—and that mentality was pounded tion—he’s become a certified into animal control officers in training, says Mark Kumpf, therapy dog who frequently helps spread cheer by animal control director for Montgomery County, Ohio. visiting cancer patients at a treatment facility. The dogs were deemed unsuitable for adoption simply by The Vick case helped change people’s perceptions consensus, not by formal evaluation, Kumpf recalls, and of fight-bust dogs, and opened the door for shelters many were euthanized. “It was simply, ‘These are fighting to realize that there is support available, says McClay. dogs. They should never go back into circulation.’” Her group, for example, provides free talks in the com- munity, adoption counseling and training, and helps The Vick Case’s Silver Lining with rescue efforts. The Vick case challenged everyone—including the public, Leo is one of Our Pack’s best ambassadors. prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, animal shelters, and He gets excited when McClay puts on his clown col- animal control officers—to view dogfighting in a new light, lar and vest, a sign that they’re heading to the cancer Kumpf says. “Everybody got a wake-up call from the Vick treatment facility. When they walk into the reception case, and they said, ‘Ooh, there are other options.’” area, everyone calls him “Dr. Leo.” The patients, some Media coverage of the Vick case spotlighted both the of whom have IVs in their arms, sit in a circle of reclining horrors of dogfighting and the rescued dogs’ potential for chairs as McClay and Leo make the rounds. rehabilitation, as several of them got adopted or became “We walk in, and of course I ask, ‘Would you like therapy dogs. Kumpf believes the Vick case helped make the a visit with Leo?’ And usually they’re like, ‘Yes, that status quo no longer acceptable. “The public is not willing to would be great,’ because it takes their mind off of the accept a broad brush that these dogs are all bad,” he says. chemotherapy,” she says. “I had one patient say, ‘You “Basically they end up suffering twice: once at the hands of know, it’s really easy to kind of feel sorry for yourself, the people who were cruel to them, and then the second and you feel sick, and you feel tired, and you’re think- time at the system that didn’t even give them a chance to ing about how horrible it is. And then Leo comes in show that, ‘I’m not a bad dog.’” and … his big face just kind of brightens up the room.’” Shelter officials still face the challenge of convincing Leo loves the petting and the attention. The work is their bosses that adopting out dogs from a fight bust is a his reward; McClay says she doesn’t need to use treats. viable option—that a shelter can do it without getting sued, When she tells people about the dog’s history, they and that people won’t necessarily get attacked, Kumpf often act like they didn’t hear right. notes. Peer pressure works to keep some communities’ “I’ll say, ‘He came from the Michael Vick longstanding practices in place, he adds: Administrators dogfighting case,’ and they literally, their mouths look at what the next town over is doing, and don’t want to open, their eyes open, they go, ‘This dog came do anything different. from there? No way did this dog come from there.’ But these dogs deserve better. In many ways, the dogs They’re just shocked. That’s actually changed so who come from fighting seizures are like those seized from many people’s minds.” hoarders, puppy mills, or other cruelty cases: They may To see a six-minute video of Leo visiting a cancer

LEFT PAGE: KATHY MILANI/THE HSUS. THIS PAGE: STEPHANIE LAM/OUR PACK have some behavioral and health issues particular to their treatment facility, go to ourpack.org/leo.html. Our Pack founder Marthina McClay says she initially considered placing Leo, but soon realized the two of them had bonded, “and I just really fell madly in love with him.”

32 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG placing fight-bust dogs

circumstances, but these issues can often be helped with time and TLC. And as with other kinds of cruelty cases, a shelter’s ability to house, provide enrichment for, and adopt out the victims will depend on its resources and how well it’s able to balance the needs of these abused dogs with the overarching mission to save as many animals as possible. Since the Vick case, Kumpf adds, some people assume shelters will be able to devote the same level of resources to animals rescued from other dogfighting operations. That’s simply not realistic, he explains. The Vick dogs came with a stipend to offset the expenses associated with their rehabilitation; most seized dogs won’t. Tight budgets often mean that shelters can’t always afford to have staff trained in behavior assessment, much less have a certified behaviorist on the payroll. But contrary to their reputation, says Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting law enforcement for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), many of the dogs seized from fighting operations don’t have major behavioral challenges. For example, She now has a chance to turn the world on with her smile. Mary Tyler he’s currently working with several seized dogs who— Moore, left, known as Momo, relaxes with her friend Creature at Animal Farm Foundation in New York after being rescued last fall from an alleged despite having been chained up in a yard for much of dogfighting operation in Ohio. In April, Momo got adopted by her foster family. their lives—are perfectly housetrained and will be easy to place in homes. Changing people’s ideas of what these dogs are like knew who the dogs were based on the environment won’t happen overnight, but positive adoption stories can that they had come from. They allowed the dogs to help prove to the higher-ups that the sheltering community speak for themselves.” shoudn’t accept euthanasia by default. Many fight-bust AFF, which helped evaluate the Ohio dogs, conducts dogs simply need an opportunity to demonstrate that they a fairly short evaluation that’s not pass or fail, but are “not necessarily these genetic monsters that everyone designed to put dogs in particular categories that will makes them out to be,” Kumpf says. help guide their placement, explains Bernice Clifford, the organization’s director of behavior and training. The A New Approach to Victims evaluation includes seeing how long it takes the dog to That idea also took hold with representatives of several interact with a person, and how comfortable he is having national animal welfare organizations who met at Animal his teeth and ears checked, or being petted softly and Care Expo in Las Vegas in 2009 and formed the Victims of roughly—interactions that might occur in a home. AFF Cruelty Working Group, which discussed new approaches also tests dogs for resource-guarding their food bowls and to dogfighting and other cruelty cases. The HSUS, altering other objects, does a dog-to-dog introduction, and finally its earlier position, adopted a policy about two years ago an arousal test, which gets the dog amped up to see how that all dogs seized from dogfighting cases should be long it takes him to calm down. The dogs are graded professionally evaluated for potential placement. because the different organizations that might take them The HSUS has since helped place close to 200 dogs from have different skills, Clifford explains; if a dog isn’t crazy fighting operations, including more than 150 from the Ohio about handling, AFF would want to make sure he goes to 200 case last September, says Schindler. All the dogs The a rescue that has a training department. HSUS has seized from organized dogfighting operations The old arguments against placing fight-bust dogs “just have been purebred American pit bull terriers with papers aren’t really justified,” explains Schindler, noting that his proving their pedigree, Schindler says. own thinking changed after spending time with dozens of The Ohio 200 case, in which The HSUS assisted law dogs rescued from dogfighters. “As we’ve all seen with the enforcement and other animal welfare organizations, dogs that come from these cases, they’re just dogs—like any “was a groundbreaking case in that HSUS took the other dog,” he says. Like dogs from other cruelty situations, lead, and they treated all the dogs as individuals,” says fight-bust dogs might start out scared and shy, in need of Stacey Coleman, executive director of AFF, which aims several months to relearn how to be a dog again, Schindler to secure equal treatment and opportunity for pit bulls. says. There will always be some dogs who can’t be placed

OPPOSITE PAGE: STEPHANIE LAM/OUR PACK. THIS PAGE: ANIMAL FARM FOUNDATION “… They didn’t look at the dogs as if they already with families because of medical or behavior issues, for

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 33 placing fight-bust dogs

Once a captive at Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels, Leo has a new life as a certified therapy dog in California, where his activities include visiting schools to demonstrate positive reinforcement. A seized pit bull stretches out to enjoy a friendly back scratch from Janette Reever of the Animal Fighting Law Enforcement section at The Humane Society of the United States.

example, but not because they’re a particular breed or come own organization, recognize what their strengths and from a particular situation. weaknesses are, and then pull the dogs that they know The HSUS is now recruiting groups from around the they’re going to be able to help.” country to form a network to take in and potentially “Don’t go out and try 10 at once, but take one, and adopt out animals following seizures from dogfighting know your limits,” agrees Sarah Barnett, a volunteer for the operations. The partners will be nonprofits and could Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, a Washington, D.C.- include shelters, pit bull rescue groups, all-breed rescues, area-based organization that took four dogs from the Ohio and sanctuaries. The application process for potential 200 case. Barnett, the online community manager for The partners will help match the organizations’ capacities HSUS, fostered one of her rescue group’s Ohio 200 dogs for to the dogs’ needs. Some fight-bust dogs can go to several months before he got adopted. any shelter that adopts out dogs, Schindler explains, Most shelters don’t have a ton of foster homes available, while other dogs might require a shelter with a behavior so they may be better off taking the more laid-back dogs department. The HSUS also plans to put a support rather than the more active ones who don’t kennel as well, mechanism in place so that the partner organizations Barnett says. can consult a behaviorist or trainer if the need arises, It’s also important to have an exercise regimen and Schindler says. enrichment program in place to prevent the animals “We want the sheltering community to see the from getting bored, says Schindler. Providing Kongs with positives,” Schindler adds. Simply put, dogs rescued from peanut butter for dogs in kennels—or even bowling fighting operations deserve the same opportunity as any balls with their holes filled with the treat—gives dogs other animal who comes through your door. something to do to keep them from being bored. High- energy dogs can get great benefits from being allowed Considering Capacities supervised time outside the kennel to race around a play So how can you give them that second chance? area and stretch their minds and bodies. A key first step is to know your organization’s It’s a process Schindler’s managing now at a temporary capabilities. Select individual dogs who are likely to shelter for seized dogs in Florida. Staff ensure that enrichment do well in your shelter. “They shouldn’t just look at is worked into the daily cleaning schedule; while they clean

the dog,” Coleman advises. “They should look at their the kennels, dogs are let out to play in a makeshift yard, THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT: STEPHANIE LAM/OUR PACK; KATHY MILANI/THE HSUS. OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTH PHOTOS: MINDY GILBERT/THE HSUS

34 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG placing fight-bust dogs

Sweet Home Alabama Mindy Gilbert didn’t go to Ohio looking “Every rational fiber Journey, one of for love. of my being was scream- the “Ohio 200” dogs rescued Gilbert, the Alabama state director ing, ‘This is a bad idea,’” last year from an for The Humane Society of the United Gilbert says, but she alleged dogfighting operation, was States (HSUS), answered a call for help at decided to not listen to extremely fearful an emergency shelter in September 2010 that voice. Instead, she when adopter Mindy Gilbert first after The HSUS helped rescue 200 dogs canceled her flight home, brought her home from an alleged fighting operation in rented a car one way, to Alabama. But Jefferson County, Ohio. and drove Journey home Journey has learned to relax by spending She headed to St. Clairsville, Ohio— to Alabama. “And all the time with Gilbert’s where the “Ohio 200” were held—to help way home was telling laid-back menagerie of 15 other dogs. care for dogs being evaluated for possible myself, ‘Self, you know, placement as family pets. She was there to this is just not a good work, but one of the dogs cast a “hypnotic idea. You’re by yourself in spell” on her. a vehicle. You know this dog’s got issues.’” Gilbert describes her other dogs as a Journey, shorter and more compact Beyond the immediate concerns—like relaxed bunch, and she believes Journey than a typical pit bull, was a beautiful fe- how she would handle a flat tire—Gilbert learned to follow suit. “She would find male dog, but she was “beyond fearful,” wondered how Journey would get along herself doing what they did without openly Gilbert says. She didn’t want to be touched. with her other animals at home, an ever- understanding why,” she says. Journey’s She cowered in the back of the pen. A sign shifting population that includes 15 dogs, resistance to being touched by hands per- on the front of her cage read “Staff Only.” most of whom are old and infirm. And sisted, but she would bump Gilbert with her But the dog’s pull proved irresistible. Gilbert acknowledges that she is no dog hip or lean up against her. Gilbert approached Bernice Clifford of trainer. “I have a lot of experience in being Today, Gilbert reports that her home in Animal Farm Foundation, who was there trained by dogs,” she says. “For example, I Alabama is indeed very sweet. Journey, who doing evaluations, and explained that she know what time I have to be home and put never displayed aggression, has become was “strangely drawn” to the dog and the food out.” very affectionate and gets along well with wanted to take her home to keep, not to Gilbert suspects that Journey was put the other animals. Gilbert describes herself adopt out. on a chain early in life and used for breed- as “totally smitten.” “She was very polite to me, even though I ing; she also has a few scars, indicating “It’s been an interesting process, I think, could see the question mark above her head,” she might have been involved in minor for both of us,” Gilbert says, noting that she’s Gilbert says. She recalls Clifford telling her, skirmishes. Her former life left her socially gained a new appreciation for the challenges “You might be the one that would draw this inept when it came to interacting with that fight-bust dogs face from not being dog out. [But] she’s got so many fear-based is- the other dogs, and she was terrified of socialized. While Journey is a strong dog, sues that she won’t really know who she is for human hands, which made it impossible to she remains a shrinking violet at heart; when several months.” reward her by patting her on the head or strangers come to the house, she retreats to giving her a treat. the guest room. She’s also deathly afraid of But the dog improved quickly after a thunderstorms; she knows a day ahead of week or so in her new home. Gilbert ini- time when one’s coming, and it makes her tially crated her at bedtime, but one night so sick that she won’t eat. “Imagine being when it was time to sleep, Journey jumped chained up out in the weather 365 days a up on Gilbert’s bed, then cowered in the year with that kind of phobia—I can only corner of it, up against the wall. Gilbert, imagine it’ll drive you mad.” accompanied by some of her other dogs, Despite being a frightened victim of cru- climbed in, turned on the TV, and just left elty when she arrived at the emergency shel- her alone. “That was the beginning of the ter, Journey exuded an appeal that left Gilbert end of her being totally fear-based,” Gilbert as helpless as a lovesick teenager. “I just went says, noting that Journey soon melted into to do my own four or five days, and help out, a more relaxed creature. Now, hopping on do whatever was necessary,” she says of her the bed is her favorite thing to do at the trip to Ohio. “And it was amazing how that end of the day. dog put its tractor beams on my head.”

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 35 placing fight-bust dogs

Dogs rescued from fighting operations—like Leo, center—deserve a chance to be evaluated individually. “They’re not all gonna be the same because they were owned by Michael Vick,” says Leo’s owner, Marthina McClay. With proper training and socialization, many can thrive as pets.

which helps them burn off some energy. It doesn’t require from a fight bust. “It’s all about disclosure. It’s all about any more staff time than leaving them in cages, Schindler testing,” she says. (For more about post-adoption liability, says, and it makes a huge difference to the animals. see Humane Law Forum, p. 47.) Still, sheltering and placing fight-bust dogs poses a The Lawsuit Myth number of challenges, says Kumpf, whose shelter assisted One of the main reasons shelters have often worried about with the Ohio 200 case and other fight-bust dogs. placing dogs seized from fighting raids is because they fear For starters, the dogs can be a hard sell with potential getting sued should the animal end up biting someone. adopters. Some seized dogs may require an owner to be But according to Bonnie Lutz, a California-based lawyer more careful around other pets; others will be perfectly who serves as general counsel for several large humane animal-friendly. Education of the adopter and full societies and SPCAs, while there’s no way to guarantee disclosure about the dog’s behavior will be key. And while you won’t get sued over a bite, shelters don’t face any some potential adopters may be put off by the remnants particular liability issues by adopting out dogs rescued of the dogs’ sad beginnings—a missing ear or other scars from fighting operations. and puncture marks—not all dogs from fighting operations Shelters could be liable if they retain ownership of have any visible scars; many have never actually fought. In the dog after adopting it out—“a big mistake,” according large operations, many are simply breeding stock and will to Lutz—or if they’re found to be negligent because they be perfectly attractive to the average adopter. knowingly adopted out a dog who was likely to bite. But Space is another challenge. Each fight-bust dog Lutz says she would be comfortable defending a case where requires his own kennel—a problem if you take in 50 of the animal welfare organization had a proper behaviorist them and have only 50 kennels, Kumpf notes. evaluate the dog’s temperament, then documented the As with other animals seized from cruelty cases, evaluation, and disclosed to potential adopters the results fight-bust dogs often must be held as evidence while the

of the evaluation as well as the fact that the dog came criminal case against the dogfighters proceeds. When MARTHINA MCCLAY/OUR PACK

36 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG placing fight-bust dogs cases get continued (as they typically do), courts can In April, Bernie’s story took another positive turn when, require shelters to keep animals not just for weeks or after multiple weeks as one of Our Pack’s available dogs, he months, but years. They get sick or injured and require got adopted—a development that thrilled McClay. constant care, and the medical bills can pile up. Kumpf It’s a happy ending that never would have happened recalls a pit bull at his shelter who injured her abdominal had he been branded an unadoptable fight-bust dog—a organs, likely by constantly jumping in her kennel, making message that isn’t lost on Megan Webb, OAS’s director. euthanasia necessary. The dogs might have issues with Webb says her shelter frequently takes in groups of the staff or other canines; Kumpf recalls hearing about dogs from cruelty situations, including suspected fighting a dog at another shelter who climbed through a small operations. The staff members often don’t know the hole to try to attack the dog in the next kennel. “In some dogs’ exact histories, and they take care to not lump them cases, they eat the shelter. They’re not picky,” he adds. together and assume they’ll all behave the same. Some “They’ll eat kennel decks. They’ll chew water bowls off are dog-aggressive, while others are extremely social and the walls.” friendly. “Some of the nicest dogs I’ve ever met have come But Schindler points out that many of these “stir from these large-scale dog groups that we’ve taken from crazy” behaviors can be addressed through enrichment, suspected dogfighters,” she says. such as the work HSUS staff are doing with the seized Dogs who pass the temperament test are made available dogs at the Florida facility. Providing toys that make the for adoption. The shelter takes precautions to make sure dogs figure out how to get the treat from the middle, they don’t fall prey again to the criminals who initially giving dogs who are a little shy some quiet time in the abused them, Webb explains. In cases where the dog was office with people, and keeping an eye on dog-to- taken from someone who’s known to be violent or has been dog relations are all helpful, Schindler says. “We use arrested for abuse, for example, the dog would be sent common sense in housing any dogs, and monitor how away from Oakland for adoption. Volunteers working with the dogs interact with each other in the kennel,” he such dogs might do so in the back of the shelter rather than says. Doing so allows staff to shift dogs around within the front, she adds, to limit their visibility. the cages and find a setup where the dogs are less OAS has learned to lean on outside groups for agitated. It doesn’t require any more time—just a little assistance. The shelter has used Our Pack to help counsel extra awareness, he says. adopters, and several staff are slated to do internships at Some fight-bust dogs arrive at the shelter starved for AFF. Such connections are crucial for municipalities, Webb attention, having forgotten how to be a dog, then they get says, because outside groups often have both expertise stuck in a system that doesn’t give them a chance to relearn and time. that—preventing them from becoming good adoption Those connections can help land dogs in unexpected candidates, Kumpf says. “It’s almost a given that the places. Webb says she never would have considered placing adoptability drops as the stay extends, because you end up a dog in South Dakota, but that’s what happened to with more behavioral issues, more medical issues.” Amarylis. The deaf dog was one of 33 pit bulls rescued last But Kumpf does not paint an entirely bleak picture. December from an alleged cruelty situation in an Oakland “Lots of these dogs do well,” he says, pointing to the many home, where many of the animals were housed in crates Ohio 200 dogs who have been placed in homes. stacked on top of each other. “When I first got her out of His advice to organizations considering taking on the the crate … she couldn’t even stand up. She was covered in placement of fight-bust dogs is to look before you leap, urine,” Webb recalls. and follow the model of organizations that are successfully Thanks to OAS’s connections with Our Pack and battling the stereotypes about pit bulls and promoting the volunteer Megan Alexander, arrangements were made breed. Groups like Bad Rap and Hello Bully have factual to send Amarylis and another dog to the Sioux Empire Pit information that can help you sell a proposed program up Rescue in South Dakota. The Friends of Oakland Animal your chain of command. Services picked up the transportation costs. “She’s an amazing dog—just extremely stable with Making Connections other people and other dogs,” Webb says. “If we had … McClay knows that Bernie is making an impact “by made assumptions about what she would be like, and just being who he is, and putting out those love bugs didn’t test her, we would have never found her and gotten everywhere.” Following his visits to at-risk kids at the her placed.” Oakland shelter, she’s heard that they talk about Bernie all the way home, and one child expressed an interest in For information about aiding The Humane Society of working with animals and pursuing an internship with the the United States’ efforts to place dogs rescued from San Francisco SPCA. His teacher wrote to McClay, asking, fighting operations, email Chris Schindler at cschindler@ “How cool is that!?” humanesociety.org.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 37 Her Eartip Says It All.

An eartip identifies that a feral cat has been neutered and vaccinated as part of Trap-Neuter-Return protocols. Learn more at alleycat.org/Eartip.

www.alleycat.org Education Advocacy Action 101

Spot-Cleaning Cat Cages These days, beating germs doesn’t always mean a bleach bath

BY CARRIE ALLAN

If you have a particularly shy kitty, it’s helpful to provide her with a nice hiding space where she can retreat while you tidy up.

If you’ve ever had a pleasant dinner party about those brussels sprouts, huh?”), kit- But sometimes the kitty herself carried interrupted by a cat who wanders in, plunks ties stressed by traditional cleaning methods some germs on her paws or muzzle, and left himself down, and begins performing the within animal shelters may experience the ef- them in the new spot, spreading them along most intimate cleaning in full view of the ta- fects for much longer. And those effects may the line. Sometimes the traditional cleaning ble—feet lifted well beyond his head in a kind damage their health. didn’t really reach every germ—it’s incred- of obscene yoga, licking with the kind of fo- For years, the standard approach to ibly easy for a microscopic particle to find a cused attention usually reserved for advanced cleaning a cat cage involved removing the hiding place in the nook or cranny of a cage calculus—you know: The ways in which kitties cat, placing her in a nearby cage or carrier, door or the lip of a food bowl. Sometimes clean can make us humans uncomfortable. and conducting a cleaning, scrubbing, bleach- harsh chemicals weren’t rinsed adequately, Turns out, the feeling is mutual. ing, and otherwise dirt-obliterating routine causing cats to develop raw paws and muz- But whereas our discomfort usually within the cage she occupied. By the time the zles from bleach. lasts only as long as our awkward diversion process was done, germs in the cleaned cage More fundamentally, this process ignored

ALL PHOTOS: MICHELLE RILEY/THE MICHELLE PHOTOS: HSUS ALL of our dinner guests’ attention (“Hey, how were (at least in theory) kaput. the fact that kitties thrive on routine and fa-

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 39 [101] miliarity. They like to know where they are. They like to have places to hide. And while a human nose might detect a little animal smell and find it offensive, to a kitty it can say, “That’s me. I’ve been here before. This is my house, my litter box, my mousie, and I feel great about it!”

The End of the Old School Over the years, the strategy for cleaning cat cages has shifted—and experts believe that’s a good thing. “I think it’s because of more shelter vets looking at actual data and URI [upper respiratory infections] being so preva- lent in shelters,” says Carolyn Machowski, manager of the Shelter Services program at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). “And I think they really directed some research into seeing how come URI was so prevalent. It’s the development of see- ing what stress, moving fomites on people’s clothes … what kind of effect that had on the cat’s immune system.” For years, Machowski notes, it’s been ingrained in shelter personnel that the big- gest weapon against disease is disinfection. “And so it’s really hard to turn that attitude around. The attitude that with disinfectants, Food and water bowls should be dumped out and refilled, but only given a thorough more is better. But the scents linger, and they cleaning if they’re really a mess. can be irritants. I don’t think we were looking at what that overload of chemical smell was doing to the cats.” n Allow each cat to remain in the cage. n Wipe off any obvious stains or organic For cats, stress can be a killer—and being Provide a paper bag or cardboard box for matter using a clean, wet rag or paper moved out of one cage and into another, or her to hide in if she’s particularly nervous towel, but no disinfectant. (Keep in mind, being taken out and then returned to a cage or timid. if using a rag, that you’ll need a new one that no longer smells the same, has proved n If you’re working with a notorious es- for any cage requiring wiping.) stressful to kitties. It’s not that hard to under- cape artist and you must remove him n Only move the cat and do a full cleaning if stand: Imagine if you came back to your apart- from the cage to work, put him in a the cage is really trashed and messy. ment one day to find all your furniture had cardboard carrier during your quick n Refrain from petting and cuddling cats as you been moved, your posters rearranged, and the cleanup. This cardboard carrier can be work—this is a time to clean, and your goal whole place smelled like disinfectant … and used throughout his stay in the shelter, is to minimize the amount of germs/virus the you had no idea how or why. And it happened and can go home with him—it shouldn’t cat will shed onto you as you work, so that the next day. And the next. Freak-out time! be used for any other cats. you won’t spread it to the next cages. Happily, this bleach-bomb approach to n Remove the litter box and replace the cleaning isn’t necessary—or rather, it’s not litter (or, while wearing disposable This probably sounds too good to be necessary to do it every day, to every cat gloves, simply pick out the big clumps true. It does to many shelter staff—and it is cage. In fact, it shouldn’t be. and discard them). a little more complicated, as you’ll see below. n Dump the bowl and provide fresh food and But these are the basic steps involved. The New Way water. Wash bowls only if they are “gross.” When she first tried to institute the prac- Spot-cleaning is the method that should re- n Shake out towels and blankets into the tice at her former shelter, says Inga Fricke, place it. Rather than a full-on, deep-scrub, trash, and then put them back where director of sheltering initiatives at The HSUS, floor-to-ceiling blitz, spot-cleaning is more of they were. Only replace bedding if it’s her staff understandably fought the change. an easygoing tidy-up. It boils down to the fol- wet or visibly dirty. Clean cat toys can Some said they’d never do it. They said it lowing simple steps: also stay in place. would end up killing every cat in the shelter.

40 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG Increase Cat Adoptions

“So we actually compromised,” says You can’t just go row by row. The with Fancy Feet! Fricke. “I said, ‘We’re going to do spot- whole principle behind spot-cleaning, behind cleaning six days a week, and one day the idea that total disinfection is not neces- “SoftClaws colored nail caps have a week you get to do full cleaning.’ And sary and may even cause harm, is that a cat’s proven to increase cat adoptions” within three months I had the same own germs/saliva/mucus/secretions will not –reported by HSUS of Vero Beach, Florida, people coming to me and saying, ‘This is make that cat sick—but that it can make other Sheltering Magazine July 2007 stupid—why are we full cleaning one day cats sick. So when you’re making your clean- a week?’ They saw disease transmission ing rounds, you cannot simply go from one going down, they went from every single cat cage to the next. You have to clean the cat in the shelter is sneezing, every single cages in an order than makes sense according cat in this room is sick, to the sick room to principles of disease resistance and immu- being empty.” nity, starting with the animals whose immune systems are most vulnerable (for example, kit- Caveat Cleaner tens), and ending with those animals who are So you knew this was coming. There’s got to most likely to be shedding virus (adult, healthy be a catch. cats and especially pregnant cats). And there is. In fact, there are three. “If you’re looking at a room where you But none of them should terrify you. If your have [a group consisting of] a pregnant, adult shelter is doing a good job of segregating its healthy cat; an adult healthy cat; a cat with a population—keeping sick cats and healthy broken leg; an adult healthy cat, and a kitten cats separated, maintaining isolation wards, who just came in … the kitten in that room is protecting juveniles—the first caveat is noth- going to be potentially the most susceptible ing to sweat over. to illness,” says Fricke. Shelter visitors easily become cat adopters knowing Soft Claws nail caps:  Help protect them and their children from playful scratches  Help protect their home furnishings  Easy to apply and each application lasts up to six weeks

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While it may be tempting to cuddle the cats as you clean, remember: It’s important to keep For special adoption programs call: contact to a minimum to keep germs from spreading. Roy Silguero of the Frederick County Soft Claws direct 800.762.7877 x508 Humane Society works around the cat as he tidies up. www.softclaws.net JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 41 Soft Claws is a registered trademark of Soft Paws, Inc., Lafayette, LA. Patents #4,962,731, #7,069,879, # D564,713S other patents pending. Product components made in USA and China. Distributed exclusively by SmartPractice, Phoenix, AZ. 71826_1008 © 2008. for visiting rooms, cages in your clinic, exam tables, and so forth. And any cage that is being emptied—when a cat goes to a new home, for example—must be thoroughly dis- infected as well. Community cat rooms are the exception to this “clean everything outside the cage” rule. Shelters that have community rooms should treat those shared areas the same way they treat other living spaces for cats, and spot-clean there rather than doing the full disinfection needed for areas where “strang- ers” regularly come and go.

Time saved should not be wasted. You’ll find that this process eliminates much of the time you’ve previously spent scrub- bing cat cages. Don’t waste it—use it to ensure the disinfection of the shared spaces (as mentioned above) and to invest in en- richment programs for your cats. Play soft music, supply catnip toys and cardboard scratchers, have volunteers engage them in interactive (but non-germ spreading) play with laser pointers and wands. Provide them with hiding places and perches within their cages. If you’re trying to change outcomes for Unless they’re filthy, blankets and cats in your shelter, spot-cleaning—done towels should simply be shaken out right—is a good step to take. and then replaced in the cage. “It’s very counterintuitive to tell staff that you keep a population healthier by not cleaning as much. That just doesn’t The idea, she says, is to lessen the viral seem to make sense,” says Fricke. “But load. “If you just start from one side of the that’s why it’s so important that you ex- room and go around, then you’re just add- plain not just how you do it but why. Why ing fomites, adding all of the disease onto it matters that cats are so connected with whatever you come in contact with, and by their territory, why it matters that just the the time you get to that kitten, the viral load, least bit of change can cause stress, why it the dose that they’re getting, is going to be a matters that, when you have a cat sitting little bit from everybody in that room.” inside a 2-by-2 metal box, that those smells That’s just what you don’t want. are going to be trapped in there and be so much more exacerbated to them. Once Full disinfection should still be per- you explain to people the why, it makes formed on any community areas. Again, it a little easier to stomach and they go, remember the principle: Fluffy’s germs ‘Well, maybe.’” won’t make her sick, but they will make Tiger sick. This is part of an ongoing series of “how It’s helpful to think of each cat cage as to”-oriented 101s featuring tips from The that cat’s safe little “pod,” and everything Humane Society of the United States’ Shelter outside of it as “the danger zone.” Every Services team. Let us know if there are issues space in the shelter that gets contacted by your organization is struggling with—we Once you’ve removed clumps from a multiple cats must continue to get the full litterbox, it’s critical to change your gloves may address them in a future article! Send disinfection treatment every day. That goes before moving on to the next cage. questions to [email protected].

42 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG q&a

Battling Shelter Overpopulation—by the Numbers Author Peter Marsh advocates a data-driven approach to reducing euthanasia

shelter overpopulation programs have lived in separate worlds, isolated from each other,” Marsh writes. “As a result, program designers have rarely made use of research findings to effectively target their programs.” Marsh hopes to bridge that gap and promote a more data-driven approach to program development with Replacing Myth with Math. He plans to publish a compan- ion volume—Getting to Zero: Using Lessons from Successful Programs to End Shelter Euthanasia in the United States—within the next year. Marsh, who works with animal welfare organizations around the country, is a founder Peter Marsh, a lawyer and longtime animal of Solutions to Overpopulation of Pets, which welfare advocate, encourages shelters to look beyond conventional wisdom and helped establish publicly funded pet steriliza- develop targeted, data-driven programs to tion programs that dropped euthanasia rates eliminate shelter overpopulation. Peter Marsh says it’s time for animal shel- in New Hampshire. In this edited interview, ters to work smarter in the battle against he discusses his work with Animal Sheltering overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia. associate editor James Hettinger. The book describes how shelters have A New Hampshire-based lawyer and traditionally operated in a “data-poor longtime animal welfare advocate focused Animal Sheltering: What was your intent environment.” Why do you think that is, on ending shelter overpopulation, Marsh last in writing Replacing Myth with Math? and do you see that tide turning now? year published Replacing Myth with Math: Peter Marsh: One of them is to get people There’s been a lot of research over the last 15 Using Evidence-Based Programs to Eradicate to recognize that information can be used years. But the real problem is that there hasn’t Shelter Overpopulation. The book, designed to design much more effective programs been, in my mind, a real connection between for shelter medicine classes, is chock full than trial-and-error-, seat-of-the-pants- the people that have done the research and of data that tell a sobering tale: While the based programs. I’ve worked now in all implementation of the research into effective number of cats and dogs euthanized in ani- 50 states over the last 20 years on shelter programs. I have sort of a shorthand equation mal shelters has dropped dramatically in the overpopulation issues. The most effective in my mind, [where] I say, “Information minus past four decades, that rate of progress has programs have been data-driven programs, application equals zero.” If you have informa- slowed in recent years. where people pay attention to not only tion, and it’s not applied to develop effective Fewer animals are being euthanized local shelter data, but research studies, plus programs, then it’s of no value to you. nationwide because fewer animals are information from other programs. entering shelters, Marsh writes. Research To be effective—especially if the mis- How would you say the failure to use shows that certain communities—such as sion is to end shelter overpopulation and data has hampered the efforts to curb those with high poverty rates—relinquish end the putting down of animals just to overpopulation? more animals to shelters. But Marsh says make space in shelters for other animals— Oh, it’s been huge. A core assumption of shelters aren’t taking full advantage you need to use better information. Because traditional shelters has been—really, going of such information by targeting their it gets tougher and tougher as the eutha- back to the ’50s—that an open-door policy overpopulation programs to the people nasia rate drops, and just working harder at where no animal is turned away is essential. who need them most. “For the most part, some point isn’t enough. You need to work Because if shelters don’t accept every animal

JOANNE BOURBEAU/THEJOANNE HSUS researchers and people who put together smarter, too. that’s presented to them—no matter what

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 43 [q&a]

The real problem is was. And the shelters that have questioned friend. Another substantial percentage were that assumption have found that in many able to keep the animal with help, because that there hasn’t been cases there are alternatives that are better for in many cases it isn’t the animal that needs ... a real connection the animals, and better for the shelter. help, it’s the owner—whether it’s a housing For instance, a shelter worker from issue, or an education issue, or other issues. between the people southwest New Hampshire made a That’s why the individualized assessment is that have done presentation at [Animal Care] Expo in 2000 really critical. And they look at urgency and about a program they had developed called decide, “Is this urgent for this animal to be the research and the Rehoming Service for Valued Pets—RSVP. admitted?” And another thing they look at implementation of When people contacted them about giving up is, “Would this animal do well in a shelter? an animal, they would counsel the person and Would it have any prospect of getting the research into do an individualized assessment. If you step adopted?” Those are really key things. effective programs. back and think about it, we have adoption The book presents data from both decisions that are individualized, depending Jacksonville and Richmond, which have used on the specific situation of the animal. this individualized approach, to suggest that Euthanasia decisions are individualized. hey, relook at this conventional wisdom—the But the admission decisions—which really, fates-worse-than-death assumption—and the situation, and no matter if they’re at in many cases, drive and control the later look at information and develop data. capacity and had to put down another decisions about adoption and euthanasia— A second issue where data is really im- animal to make room—that enough animals are not individualized at all. portant is [this]: You’ve probably seen the would suffer “a fate worse than death” so This woman presented the data from traditional kitten-and-puppy pyramid, spay- that it would be intolerable. their first year, and basically somewhere less neuter pyramid, that has a cat or a dog and Well, a number of shelters have ques- than half the animals were admitted to the then a mountain of offspring. The under- tioned that assumption, because, really, shelter. As I recall, about 25 percent of the lying assumption is that pets that remain there’s no data to back that up—there never people were able to place their animal with a intact their whole lives drive cat and dog reproductive rates, and that’s not true. We now know that cats and dogs that remain intact their whole lives account for a small fraction of the animals that are born—less Here’s a way to than 20 percent. So why is that important? It’s important Make More Money because that 80 percent-plus of litters are born to people that sterilize their pets at for your Shelter some point, after they’ve had a litter or Profits for Shelters ( ) is a new retail program two. [They] typically do that with their dedicated to helping animal shelters start a new retail own money—that’s the low-hanging section or boost the sales from their existing retail fruit. These are people who don’t have to displays. Yo u can make more money and put the profits be persuaded. In many cases, they’ve just back into saving pets! delayed, and that delay has been tragic. One of the things that they don’t know is that pet mammary cancer kills more than 100,000 cats and dogs in the United States every year. That type of cancer is almost entirely preventable by timely sterilization. It’s just a knowledge deficit that’s really important to correct—and that’s a lot easier, frankly, than convincing people Without the incredible shelter prices PetEdge offers, that are resistant to sterilize their pets, or “ we would never be able to save so many animals. –Shelli Skiados, Humane Society of South Mississippi coming up with funding for spay/neuter ” clinics, or subsidies, or whatever. Call us today to find out more… There was a [national] study that Alley (888) 230-1555 Cat Allies did in 2007 [of] household cats. visit PetEdgeDS.com/ps And they found the most common reason or email [email protected] people that have an intact cat gave for keep-

44 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG ing the cat intact wasn’t cost. It wasn’t be- education problem, and to some degree litters? The first study was 20 years ago, cause they had any objection to sterilizing the an economic problem, with lower-in- by Dr. [Andrew] Rowan, who’s now at [The pet. It’s because they affirmatively believed come families having lower sterilization Humane Society of the United States]. And that it would be better for the cat to have a rates for their pets. nobody’s done anything with it 20 years litter before being sterilized. That’s a mistaken Sure. Poverty is critical. Providing subsidies later. He basically said in his study that idea that needs to be corrected. to poverty-stricken caretakers is really criti- almost 90 percent of all the litters born in If we don’t deal with presterilization lit- cal. The Alley Cat Allies study showed that these four towns in Massachusetts that he ters, we can never halt population growth of in households with an income less than studied were presterilization litters—a very cats and dogs in this country. The bottom line $35,000, 51.4 percent of the cats are ster- significant finding that just has not been is that [for] cats and dogs that are sterilized, ilized. Between $35,000 and $75,000, it followed up on 20 years later. the data we have shows that each of them, was above 90 percent. In households above on average, has more than two kittens or $75,000, it was over 96 percent. So that’s Are you optimistic about the future? puppies before being sterilized, which means one of the things that tells us that it’s abso- I’m optimistic that we’re gonna end shelter that you could sterilize 100 percent of all lutely critical to provide subsidies. When the euthanasia in this country, and shelter household cats and dogs, and still not reach subsidies are provided, they have enormous overpopulation. Frankly, we’ve reduced it replacement rate [where population growth impact, like they have in Jacksonville and by 75 percent over the last 35 years with is zero] if you haven’t reduced presterilization Tampa and New Hampshire and other places. underfunded, unfocused programs, and I’m litters. It’s a really important thing for us, for convinced that data-driven programs will play allocation of resources. Did anything surprise you as you were a significant role in the ultimate eradication As somebody once said, if you keep on writing and researching? of shelter euthanasia. doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep on I guess one of the things that surprised me getting what you’ve got. was the enormous importance of a lot of Visit shelteroverpopulation.org to download this data that had never been applied—that a free copy of Peter Marsh’s Replacing Myth One of the impressions I got from your there were some really significant research with Math: Using Evidence-Based Programs book is that shelter overpopulation is an findings. The finding about presterilization to Eradicate Shelter Overpopulation. v “Thank you so much for making this program available to the New Orleans community. I am convinced that had this been in place prior to Katrina, many more reunions would have happened.

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For more information, visit animalsheltering.org/expo or call 1-800-248-EXPO. SHUTTERSTOCK.COM sible and caring owner. This column examines examines column owner. This caring and sible arespon with home in asafe placed is pet each to ensure shelter animal of an duty the 2011),Roulette,” March-April Idiscussed pet! dangerous a him gave you that complains owner new a when way hard the out find may you Or shelter. the at is animal the while yourself You for it see may temperament. a dog’s up. her to give owner force the that problems behavioral has animal the sometimes, And animal. the for caring of challenge physical or financial the handle longer no can owner the Sometimes owner. known no with abandoned or stray found are they Sometimes of reasons. sorts all for shelters into come Animals TRAVIS BY CHERIE Are you liable for what happens once an animal leaves your shelter? Adoption the After In my last article (“Avoiding Adopter article my last In about you warn may owner previous The - whether the shelter knew the animal was animal the knew shelter the whether (1) importance: ofdescending order in listed issues, simple into three down broken be ally usu can liability ofpost-adoption termination into a new home? home? into anew animal an adopted has it have after a shelter does liability What question: legal important “a lawsuit.” an million $2 raises this So, was frantic that the adopter was threatening president daughter. her shelter bit The dog adopted newly her when organization the to sue threatened adopter an after concern great with me contacted president shelter family, him, his else? harm anyone or not will who animal an receiving is adopter to have the make that sure groups placement animal do responsibilities What side: flip the Though every adoption is unique, the de the unique, is adoption every Though a when recently up came issue This JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA ANIMALS! FOR ACTION TAKING FOR JULY IN US JOIN - - the knowledge to handle both situations. both to handle knowledge the with you equip let’s abnormalities—so havioral be of signs subtle miss can employee shelter gerous temperament. However, even the best adan indicate could that behaviors worrisome stay, observe animal’s shelter the during also, owner. You a past with may to speak portunity op no is there cases shelter,the in those and at strays receive surrender. often may you But at it about you tells owner past the if exists lem prob Youanimal. abehavioral that may learn the to placing prior issues behavioral had mal ani the that knew shelter the whether is law ofadoption. point the at animal ofthe control actual up gave shelter the whether (3) and pet; new his to accept agreed he before problems behavioral those of knew adopter the whether (2) dangerous; The most important issue in this area of the ofthe area this in issue important most The law forum law humane humane

47

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ANIMAL SHELTERING You feel bad about it, but is your shel your is but it, You about bad feel JULY/AUGUST 2011 JULY/AUGUST ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG ofthe ------of an animal’s behavioral problems (but re (but problems animal’s behavioral of an knowledge has aparty where liability pose im may courts before, Isaid As quirement. and responsibility. responsibility. and control his under solely now is animal the that knows adopter to make the sure ment agree adoption to your language adding by argument this Youanimal. bolster can that over control no had you that is court to the argument strongest your animal, the of behavior post-adoption the for sued get you if Therefore, possession. or control legal as to qualify enough substantial be not usually will interaction post-adoption the animal, ofeach status post-adoption the to monitor in place have procedures you if Even animal. that over control has longer no owner, shelter anew your with animal an place you property.” Once the over trol con exercise not does individual an when liability to extend reluctant are “courts that explained Court Superior Connecticut the Murphy In v. Eddinger cases. these termine to de guidelines law property basic to use law, the of sense makes it eyes the under property considered are animals Since ment. Now let’s examine the knowledge re knowledge the examine let’s Now First, let’s look at the control require control the at look let’s First, ------, any problem. of absence ofthe evidence documented some is there that so animal’s temperament ofeach report or log adaily tois include yourself to way protect best The part. your on ofknowledge absence an to prove ficult dif be may it speaking, Practically cidents. in post-adoption for responsible you hold to unlikely is court the then problems, ioral animal’s behav ofthe knowledge no lutely abso has shelter your if Thus, property. his or adopter an over control no absolutely to ajudge!) to lie idea agood never dangerous— was animal the knew he that fact the up to cover tried and lied also (He tenants. other the to protect nothing did landlord the and present, were elements control and edge knowl the Both lived. owner his and dog the controlled and dog of the knew he because sponsible re held was v. Guerrero in Donchin landlord shelter. animal ofan The liability post-adoption the determine would acourt to how as ance vent the attack. attack. the vent to pre duty no has landlord the then able, foresee reasonably not is attack an if that to say on went court person.”a third The attacks dog the when liable held be cannot dog ofatenant’s nature vicious ofthe edge knowl actual have not does who landlord “a said court the case, that In pets. tenant’s ofhis ofone actions the for responsible is alandlord whether indetermining ments ele control and knowledge the discussed Guerrero v. Donchin In animal). the over control has also party that if only usually is member, this audit of your evaluation procedures and make and procedures evaluation ofyour audit dangerous? potentially just dangerous, clearly not out. adopted not are mals ani dangerous truly that to ensure in place have safeguards already should shelter Every adoption. for suitable is it whether termine to de animal the evaluate to is fully duty first your ofaggression, any sort exhibits who ter shel into your animal an receive you When Animal Dangerous Potentially a Placing 2: No. Adoption Unlike a landlord, an animal shelter has shelter animal an Unlike alandlord, The facts of that case provide some guid some provide case ofthat facts The First, you should perform an internal an perform should you First, are who animals about what But , the California Court of Appeals ofAppeals Court California , the the premises where about the about danger ------

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sure that your staff is trained to identify and behavioral concerns, that adoption counselor document both overt and subtle signs of be- should go through the animal’s file with the havioral issues. prospective adopter, including descriptions of Documenting all potential signs of dan- all questionable past behavior. The adopter ger before the adoption is one important should be given an opportunity to fully 1(800) 525-7387 way to avoid liability after the adoption, be- discuss the animal’s behavioral issues with www.ryanspet.com cause when you know an animal is danger- the shelter’s veterinarian and behaviorist. ous, disclosing that information to the new If the adopter still wants the animal, and Kennel Leads owner will likely shield you from any liability. the shelter feels it is a safe environment for Gold both the animal and the owner, then it is In DeLeon v. Commercial Manufacturing & Green Supply Co., the California Appellate Court acceptable to proceed with the adoption, Raspberry stated “a duty to warn or disclose danger and the adopter is “assuming the risk” of any Teal arises when an article is or should be known future behavioral problems. The shelter may to be dangerous for its intended use, either want to direct the adopter to behaviorists Red 48 ¢ea. inherently or because of defects.” and trainers so that the adopter will continue Aqua to work on behavioral issues. Maroon Disclosure is always a good Royal practice, even to document an Purple easily explained incident with the Navy animal. For example, in my expe- rience running a humane society, sometimes a cat may nip at or bite a volunteer who is trying to AS UP get the cat back into a cage. Most LOW AS TO 57% often, the volunteer will admit $19.99 STOCK UP that the cat was growling and NOW! KILLS FLEAS the volunteer failed to realize that & TICKS ON she should wait for the animal to CONTACT calm down before handling him. Flea & Tick Shampoo - RTU Regardless, my organization’s policy is to disclose such incidents to the prospective adopter so Paw Brothers® Polyester “Sheepskin” there could never be a claim that Mats And Rolls Unbelievable Quality at Unbelievable Prices. we withheld information. Cut To Fit, And Save. To ensure minimization of liability, your shelter should include two key components Even though that case was referring in the adoption agreement: (1) an to product liability (like exploding toasters acknowledgment on the adopter’s part or faulty chainsaws), the same rule can that he has fully read and understands the be applied to animal adoption. Normally, animal’s history, and (2) that the adopter

142 domestic pets—like toasters!—are accepts all liability for any post-adoption ™ These dishes sizes and styles. and variety of Resistant, Dishes in a Corrosion and Steel is Rust Resistant, may be cleaned Quality Stainless Steel Steel safe. When youselection think of of Stainlessprice. Stainless Steel, “Relyuse. Stainless on Ryan’s” complete and every day they are dishwasher feature a you both quality heavy-duty and We to give hold up to new look forever MIX & MATCHG been chosen is made to shiny and FOR QUANTITY PRICIN have Steel their bright, Heavy All “SS” Dishes Proof! Stainless will keep Extra Chew easily. They Dish On Pages 142-143 disinfected Tip Weight Slow Feed No ® Anti Skid Dish dogs meal behavior of the animal and “indemnifies” can feed your A not dangerous. If you know a specific Professional Grooming Tools dish. you steel

Price in mind. Now stainless e

l Dishes l unique to th Stee Stainless Paw Brothers the Best professional with this keeps food at with the in the middle cannot 26 Quality designed in the grooming Standard Stainless dome so your pet The Best tools home or of the dish, down ✔ grooming for use at Steel Dishes sides Helps to slow professional Perfect and durable ea. ea./6 ea./12 a huge gulp. food or line of job. pins, take that eat their A full for every steel $.89 $.69 $.66 for pets be used to right tool grips, stainless . .88 eating too fast. Can safe, resistant have the heir water dishwasher We have comfortable easy display. 66¢ . 1.09 .92 drink t where eating Steel is tools tag for Pint...... conditions gauge Stainless shop. These have a hang 1/2 . 1.79 1.47 1.39 for varied The heavy tools SS98201 Pint Dish ...... 2.79 2.37 2.13 is required. ea. ea./6 ea./12$11.83 All 1 ...... slowly construction. SS98202 Quart Dish . 3.69 3.14 2.99 and rust .$15.09 $12.82 13.04 1 ...... bacteria, SS98203 Quart Dish 5.09 4.38 4.16 .16.69 14.13 19.81 2 . . oz...... SS98204 Quart ...... 8.79 7.49 7.10 16 .25.39 21.47 3 . SS800033 oz...... SS98206 Quart ...... 25 the shelter from any claims raised by third MIX & MATCH 5 . 10.59 9.00 8.54 SS800034 oz...... animal has behavioral issues, it is just SS98207 ...... 64 FOR QUANTITY PRICING

7 1/2 Quart SS800035 ls Grooming Too Grooming All “TM” Grooming Tools SS98208 ...... Pages 26-31, 39 10 Quart Excluding TM31737 SS98210 Accented “Raised” Dish Non-Tip Dish“Raised” Non-Tip The Accented with an anti-skid No-Tip shaped The have a rubber- is specially elegant look. ® Stainless Steeoutl Dishes and give an and are movement bottom to splashes No-Tip Dishes to limit the ea./12 back controls Paw Brothers base of the dish ea. ea./6 high allows for ea ea/6 ea/12 $7.99 edged non-skid The are $2.49 slanted slanted front during use. by the pet. . $3.09 $2.62 while the .$10.45 $8.88 ® Soft Pin Universal and spillage picked up mess Dish 8oz . . . to be . 3.79 3.16 2.88 feeding access. Non- Tip 15.19 12.88 11.59 makes it harder easy “Raised” 16oz . . . . Paw Brothers Type Slickers 16 oz...... 4.69 3.93 3.73 Accented Non-Tip Dish 21.49 18.22 16.35 Pin Tips SS98301 4.93 SS800141 “Raised” 32oz . . . . curved 24 oz...... 6.09 5.21 Accented Non-Tip Dish parties in relation to the animal’s post- Universal Type with Coatedslickers feature ...... 7.07 SS800142 “Raised” like a manufacturer realizing its toaster are SS98302 Quart) Type soft pins 32 oz (1 . 8.79 7.46 Accented curved Universal SS98303 5.50 SS800143 Slickers feature heads. Stainless steel slide easily 64 oz...... 6.89 5.80 Type Slickers hard pins. brush gentle and 12 SS98304 Universal to be ea. ea./12 96 oz...... and stainless steel Brushes plastic coated 68 SS98305 ...... ® brush heads non-slip. .$4.41 3.68 32 oz. Cocker Hedgehog and the coat. 52 are comfortable hair without through ...... 5.26 4.52 SS98306 Paw Brothers - Grips loose Small 68 coat and remove ea. ea./12 TM31120 .6.73 5.68 penetrate Medium...... Universal Slicker Brush coat. $3.78 $3.15 TM31121 ...... damaging 2 1/2” . . . . 8 Large Stainless Steel Matte ea. ea./6 ea./12 Hedgehog Universal Slicker Brushes feature a com Small Hd Pins . . 4.52 3.7 TM31122 TM31104 PiPinsns 3 1/2” 4.522 . $3.79 $3.19 $3.033.86 bination of short bristles and longer plastic pins with MeMediumdium Hd . . . 5.25.266 4.5 Finish Heavy Dishes With TM31105M31105 4 1/22”” ...... Paw Print 10 oz...... 4.79 4.06 nylon coated tips. This combination provides comb- ge Slicker 4 1/ Removable AntFinishi-Skid Dish Rubber Base M31106 LarLarge Embossed Stainless Matte oz...... 6.89 5.83 5.52 8.72 ing and brushing action in one tool. The plastic pins TM31106 ea. ea./6 ea./12 SS800028 Dish 16 wide $1.50 Matte Finish oz...... 10.89 9.20 remove dirt and loose hair while the bristles polish the Steel Dishes extra SS800029 Dish 32 embossed, . $1.89 $1.58 2.08 Matte Finish oz...... 14.09 11.96 11.43 $5.26 ea $4.48 ea/12 Paw print SS800030 Dish 64 adoption behavior. Indemnification is a coat and stimulate . hair. . . follicles...... bottom. . 2.59 2.20 3.03 Matte Finish oz...... is dangerous. Once you disclose to the Small and 96 5.57 ea 4.63 ea/12 rim Dish TM31125 ...... 1 Pint ...... 3.79 3.20 SS800031 Finish Medium SS98701 4.51 Matte TM31126 6.79 ea 5.77 ea/12 1 Quart ...... 5.69 4.76 SS800032 Large ...... SS98702 5.82 10, 20 & 30 oz TM31127 2 Quart ...... 7.29 6.14 SS98703 3 Quart ...... SS98704 5 Quart ...... Stainless Steel 64 & 96 oz SS98705 ® Coop Cups ea. ea./6 ea./12 Paw Brothers With Hanger to the cage $1.90 that attach . $2.39 $2.20 Hangers out to clean. Flat Slickers corners easily taken . 3.09 2.66 2.51 have rounded l and are Flat Slickers 10 oz...... 3.89 3.26 3.08 fur. Stainless steel. SS98601 5.40 will not catch the coat. 20 oz...... 6.69 5.69 that deep into 2 SS98602 6.30 penetrate ea. ea./1//112 30 oz...... 6.99 6.63 ® pins gently non-slip. 21 Stainless Steel SS98603 legal term that essentially means one party ® and . $3.78 $3.21 64 oz...... consumer (in this case the adopter) that Hard Extra Long Pin comfortable Paw Brothers Grips are x 1 5/8” . . . . . 3.4949 feeding SS98604 ...... Slickers Paw Brothers Sm 2 1/2 . 4.10 Puppy Pansprovides easy ea./12 96 oz. TM31107 x 1 5/8” . . . . . 4.2020 Low height ea. ea./6 SS98605 Soft Pin Flat Med 3 1/2 4.94 Slicker Brush - LLargearge TM31108 1/2 x 2” ...... 5.3737 for puppies. .$2.59 $2.20 $2.10 with Coated Pincorners Tips Large 4 ...... 6.31 8” . . . . 2.91 have rounded 1” Pins TM31109 1/2 x 2 3/4” SS800002 .3.69 3.07 2.91 Flat slickers X-Lg 4 10” . . . . 5.87 fur. Stainless steeland Flat Slickers have rounded corners that will not catch TM31110 SS800003 .7.39 6.18 will not catch be gentle 14” . . . . that coated to fur. Stainless ststeeeell extra long pins penetrate deep into SS800004 are plastic ea. ea./12 pin tips the coat. the coat. Grips aarere comfortable $5.26and non-slip. ea $4.52 ea/12 through $4.41 $3.75 Slicker Hard Pin LgLg slide easily TM31170 Small ...... 4.52 3.85 Snap’y Fit TM31111 Medium...... 5.26 4.48 Water & Feed TM31112 Large ...... 6.73 5.72 Bowl Stainless Steel TM31113 ...... bowls are Bolt X-Large These to bolts and TM31114 to attach feature two Coop Cupsof WitWith cagesh withBolt (in this case, the new owner) agrees to pay designed or cage. They that locks to the side (Clamp). the “product” (pet) has a malfunction Bolt bracket bolts any wire crate a patented place and ea. ea./6 ea./12 along with bowl in metal bracket $2.09 wing nuts stainless steel put $2.59 $2.20 the durable bowls stay 2.72 and holds These 10 oz...... 3.49 2.87 for easy removal. side or from SS98501 3.50 Raised and allows tipped from 20 oz...... 4.39 3.63 spill when ea. ea./12 SS98502 5.52 will not 30 oz...... 6.89 5.87 Center Puppy and .$6.89 $5.86 SS98503 6.46 ® 64 oz...... 8.09 6.88 puppies from underneath. Quart...... 10.69 9.05 SS98504 Feeding DishesDishdeterses 1 96 oz...... Paw Brothers Special design in their food. M41 Quart...... 5.19 4.43 SS98505 ® sleeping 2 Triangle and food accessible M42 ...... 5.89 4.97 Mini Soft Pin walking also keeps ea./12 10 oz Call orPaw BrothersLoga Raised center onea. ea./6 ea./12 M40-10for oz ...... yourwww.RyansPet.com with $9.29 20 Slicker with handle litter. M40-20 Soft Pin Slickera comfortable forr to the entire ” . . . . $11.59 $9.82 15.14 slicker has is perfect Small 11” . . . Coated Pin Tipinsps coated This small triangle shape SS60070 . . . . 18.79 15.98 15.14 with soft Unique areas. Large 15”. . . . ® Mini brush and to slide non-slip grip. hard to reach 12 SS60080 for or insure against any losses incurred by to be gentle sensitive and ea ea/12 (behavioral issue), then you are no longer plastic 3 Paw Brothers with Stainless steel reaching 773 the coat. pins. Slicker $5.57 $4.73 easily through ea. ea./12 Stainless steel Soft Pin Mini Soft Pin softSlicker pins. Triangle 1(800)525-PETS (7387) brush with pins. TM31153 Mini slicker small dogs. Pin Slicker $3.75 puppies and Mini Soft $4.41 Perfect for TM31152 Pins ...... www.RyansPet.com pins. ea./12 with Coated Stainless steel ea. $4.41 $3.75 ...... Mini Soft Pin TM31151 responsible for their decision to accept that another party (the shelter). In situations 1(800)525-PETS (7387) FREE catalog today! animal in its current condition. This is known where the animal is known to have bitten, under the law as “assumption of risk.” following the aforementioned guidelines ©2011 G&G Distribution Inc. All rights reserved. When a prospective adopter shows will provide the maximum safeguard against Pricing and manufacturer specs subject to change. an interest in an animal with documented post-adoption liability. These prices good thru August 31, 2011

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 49 To summarize, the law will protect a shel- ter from post-adoption liability as long as the shelter is no longer in actual control of the animal at the time of the incident, and the shelter had no knowledge or fully disclosed the knowledge of a dangerous temperament before the adopter took the animal. So follow these steps to keep your shelter out of the doghouse: Make sure to keep a close eye on animals who exhibit minor aggression while they are in the shelter. Document any con- cerns and pass that information along to the new adopter. There’s no harm in providing the adopter with everything you’ve observed so that they can make an informed decision. Now, before any of you conclude that the safest path to eliminating liability would be to avoid any type of behavioral assess- ment, with the theory that “ignorance is bliss,” know that that would be very unwise. Any good plaintiff’s lawyer will make a com- pelling argument that shelters have a duty to evaluate animals placed for adoption. Since it is arguably now an industry practice to per- form such assessments, a court could find that not doing so would constitute a breach of that duty. If you are sued, hire experienced local counsel. You have heard this advice in my previous articles, but I can’t emphasize how valuable an attorney with knowledge of local animal laws can be.

Cherie Travis is adjunct professor of animal law at DePaul University College of Law and Northwestern University School of Law, and was the associate director of the Center for Animal Law at DePaul before being appointed commissioner of Chicago Animal Care and Control. She is president and co- founder of PACT Humane Society.

50 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG NANCY PETERSON PETERSON BY NANCY Bringing out the best behaviors in kittens in TheirKitty Hands terer to mentor her. The woman who headed headed who her. to woman mentor terer The fos experienced an to find lucky was Foley and sparse, was behavior and development it,” to do up says. she set or it to do willing many people that not were there because ofnecessity, out mostly fostering “I began cat. mom elusive one trap to took it years three the island—during the on property Hemingway’s Ernest roam still who felines ofthe relatives kittens—perhaps six-toed several fostered Foley Fla. Key West, town old in street her on kittens and cats feral trapped she when 15 ago years started Foley’sTheresa introduction Md. Frederick, in woman a young with home went and February, were in Twinky together sister his and adopted (above) Jimmy kitten foster Peterson’s Nancy companions. fine make will who cats young resilient emotionally into balls fur physically and little rambunctious turn to have They group: rescue or a shelter from kittens in taking when job a big have Fosterers At the time, information about feline about information At time, the to fostering fostering to - $3,000. In 2010, its $40,000 budget came came budget 2010, In $40,000 its $3,000. of Venice, a budget Fla., with strays—in and ferals for services spay/neuter low-cost or free get people helps and cats pet for ter spay/neu promotes that nonprofit Cats—a Venice Street founded Foley ago years in. Five poured hydrant,” Requests afire on says. she “it like was turning (TNR), trap-neuter-return doing others to help offered she When zation. organi the for avolunteer became and ceived tions, record-keeping, and adoptions. adoptions. and record-keeping, tions, medica about Foley taught felines, trapped to Foley’s surgeries free provided which Key of West, Animals of Friends Keys Lower Foley was grateful for the help she re she help the for grateful was Foley JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA ANIMALS! FOR ACTION TAKING FOR JULY IN US JOIN - - - - influences behavior through exposure to exposure through behavior influences that process the socialization, and havior be kitten ofnormal understanding an with by volunteers fostered are they if returned likely to be less and homes, new their in to life to adjust equipped and adopted be likely to more problems, training and ior behav have or stressed to likely be less are Kittens important. extremely is cialization so early ofcats, euthanasia of drivers ing cluding fosterers who socialize kittens. kittens. socialize who fosterers cluding byFoley, in mentored by many volunteers supported also is ofVenice Cats Street work The of$1 to locals. $20 donations from from Since behavior remains one of the lead of the one remains behavior Since department behavior

51 - - - - - [behavior department] situations involving people, other animals, and new environments. During kittens’ first eight weeks of life, learn- ing is enhanced—likely because their nervous systems develop most rapidly at that time. That’s when they acquire an expectation of what’s normal in their environment, an expectation that can last a lifetime. Although opportunities missed during those weeks can sometimes be made up later, learning may take much longer. A recent survey by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation—conducted with adoption groups, executive directors, and board members across the United States— found that a huge number of adoption groups are highly concerned with having enough fosterers for their adoptable animals. A good foster network can be a major ally in saving animals’ lives. But some people are reluctant to foster due to concerns about providing adequate time for kittens, and Handling kittens isn’t just about direct touch. Foster parents can do them a great favor by some organizations are hesitant to grow their getting them accustomed to wearing a collar and tags early in life. Getting them used to this sensation discourages them from trying to remove their collar later on in their adoptive foster programs out of concern that people homes. may not have adequate time. These are legitimate concerns, but into wonderfully behaved kittens and help They don’t introduce fosters to their owned they’re generally overblown: According to your adopters turn those kittens into wonder- pets for 10 days, in case the kittens are incu- John Bradshaw, founder and director of the fully behaved cats. bating an illness their pets could catch. Anthrozoology Institute, optimum socializa- New fosterers may dislike the idea of put- tion to people can be achieved when kittens Containing Kittens ting kittens in a cage, but “that is more about are 3 to 9 weeks old with only 30 to 60 min- When starting out fostering in a private home, the human’s emotion than the cat’s needs,” utes of gentle interaction per day. Bradshaw, it’s a good idea to keep your foster kittens in a says Foley. She cages all kittens for periods of who has studied the behavior of domestic small space—such as a cage, crate, or a small time so that they learn not to be afraid of the cats for more than 25 years, notes that the room with doors—that’s easy to kitten-proof. cage, and will run to the front for attention optimum type of interaction for most kittens Because kittens seem content with a small area rather than retreating to the back in fear. When is being stroked and talked to simultaneously. until they are about 6 weeks old and fosterers pressed for time, Foley moves the kittens’ cage But fledgling fosterers do have a lot to find it easier to work with kittens in a space nearby while she does other things around the learn before setting out on their kitty-school- with few hiding places, fosterers wisely use house. She can talk to them, and they can see ing mission. Many of the veteran fosterers this time to accustom kittens to gentle han- her and watch her interact with her own cats. interviewed for this article spoke ruefully of dling, using their litter box and scratching post, Sarah Vicary, a fosterer for Mid-Michigan Cat their early mistakes—from not introducing and playing nicely. Allowing kittens to roam Rescue in Grand Ledge, Mich., and Carol Gaul, kittens to enough visitors to not confining too soon is the mistake that Jenny Schlueter, who fosters for Black and Orange Cat Foundation kittens long enough—and wanted to make who fosters for Tree House Humane Society in in Plain City, Ohio, also put fosters in cages, mak- sure to pass on advice not only about what Chicago, hears about most often. “Then the ing sure that they put the cages in areas the kit- to do, but what not to do. Their practical peeing and hiding issues ensue,” she warns. tens will find nurturing. Vicary locates the cage knowledge and good and bad experiences Keeping shelter kittens confined is not off her living room and kitchen so kittens learn are worth their weight in kitten chow. just a behavior issue: Health-wise, separat- about typical household activities. Gaul locates Maybe you’re a brick-and-mortar facil- ing them from owned pets is smart, a les- the cage near a window, where kittens can look ity that relies on volunteers to foster kittens son Schlueter learned the hard way when outside and enjoy sunshine. The spot also allows who are ill, too young to thrive in a shelter, or she allowed fosters free range too early, the kittens to see and hear TV, watch people and for whom there is no space. Perhaps you’re and her pet cats came down with upper re- other animals in the house, and get a whiff of an unsheltered adoption group relying exclu- spiratory infections. good smells wafting from the kitchen. sively on volunteers to foster kittens in their Fosterers Cindy Schneller and her hus- Schneller’s and McCall’s kittens are kept homes. Either way, this article will help foster- band Brian McCall prepare kittens for adop- in a separate room, with baby gates placed

ers and cat cuddlers turn your little fur balls tion for the SPCA Tampa Bay in Largo, Fla. so that they fill the entire doorway. “With THIS PAGE: MICHELLE RILEY/THE HSUS. OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: BRIAN MCCALL; RIGHT: NANCY PETERSON

52 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG [behavior department] the baby gates, the kittens can hear, smell, and sometimes see what is going on in the house,” Schneller says. Adrienne Gallagher and her husband Barney, who foster for The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, also initially keep fosters in a small room so the kittens have easy ac- cess to their litter box. After dinner, the Gallaghers visit the kittens’ room to play and snuggle—with the kittens. “We find they are always happy with this setup because they have time to rest and are also happy to see us,” Gallagher says. When it’s time for bed, the Gallaghers close the door to the room. “Right away we’re teaching them about sleeping at night,” she says. Keeping very young kittens in an extra- large crate helps Schneller teach them good potty habits; they don’t really have a choice but to use it, she says. She provides several low-sided litter boxes and makes sure the lit- ter isn’t so deep that kittens sink into it. She Giving up kittens they’ve raised is difficult even for longtime fosterers, but the separation cleans up accidents as quickly as possible pangs are worth it. They know once they’ve given one group of kittens a good start in life, using an enzymatic cleaner so that odors are they can open their homes to the next ones who deserve the same chance. reduced. If the kittens prefer eliminating on another surface, such as a rug, she removes know when they’re ready to explore. “They Chatka Ruggiero, who works with kit- the enticing item. will tend to run out of the room as soon as tens from Animal Care League in Oak Park, you open the door,” she says. Ill., accompanies kittens as they explore new Beyond the Door “Most kittens don’t want to be isolated, areas so she can reassure them and help Kristin Ramsdell, who fosters for the Black and won’t put up with it for long,” says Gene them deal with different situations. As kit- and Orange Cat Foundation in Plain City, Marault, a fosterer for Stray Feral Rescue in tens get bigger, and depending on how Ohio, believes that most kittens will let you St. Paul, Minn. He hasn’t had a kitten who brave they are, the Gallaghers gradually didn’t venture out at least to jump into bed allow fosters to be with them in other areas with him at night. of their home. “Just remember,” Gallagher When Diane Fairclough, who fosters says, “when they are little, you can’t expect for Forgotten Felines of Sonoma County them to be able to manage too far from in Santa Rosa, Calif., can enter the fos- their litter box.” ter room and easily pick up a kitten, she Ramsdell carries shy kittens and tries knows he’s ready to explore. She recom- to get them to join their more adventurous mends the kitten’s first experience out- siblings. “It’s always helpful having the shy side his room take place when things kittens see the more outgoing kittens play- are calm around the house. “If you have ing outside of the room. It tends to spark other pets, and he has not yet been in- their interest and helps them get past the troduced, put them in another room so shyness,” she says. he can adjust to a new environment first If a kitten is uncomfortable in new areas, without dealing with a new critter too,” fosterers recommend returning the kitten she advises. to his safe room or cage so he can’t hide in Some fosterers introduce their kittens other parts of the house. to one room at a time for short visits, and “Kittens that hide have generally been many place toys, beds, and other familiar introduced too quickly to the household,” To encourage normal development, it’s good to provide kittens with a space that items from their room into the new spaces to says Fairclough. She adds that kittens offers the chance to scratch and climb, help the kittens feel more comfortable. Foley should be comfortable with you and the play with toys, look out a window and be places shy kittens in a carrier or cage to intro- noises of your household before leaving exposed to sunlight, and get used to sounds like a radio playing soft music. duce them to a new area. their safe place.

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 53 [behavior department]

best to control a dog with a leash, and it’s wise to cut fosters’ and pets’ nails before introductions. The Gallaghers don’t have a dog, but invite cat-friendly dogs to visit their fosters. Such encounters are closely supervised. Rita Bundas, who fosters for South Shore Felines in Sun City Center, Fla., lets her cats observe fosters through sliding glass doors that lead to the kittens’ sunroom, so “the introduction to our cats usually goes very smoothly, and we observe the whole time when they initially interact.” Ramsdell is a huge advocate of introduc- ing fosters to her cats and dogs. “I put up a baby gate to allow the kittens to see my cats and dogs. I do this for a week or so, and then allow the kittens to come out to see the gang,” she says. Schlueter’s cats usually tolerate or ignore fosters, but because she lives in a small apart- ment, she returns kittens to their room if her cats get annoyed. Although Fairclough’s adult cat is used to kittens coming and going, she makes sure to give him plenty of love when she’s fostering. Getting kittens used to gentle human contact is an important part of socialization. Cuddling or cradling them, handling their ears and tails, pulling their lips back and touching their Introductions to two-legged animals teeth—all this will increase their comfort with people, and prove helpful when they need are important as well. Wendy Ross, a fos- to be medicated or examined by veterinary staff. terer for Port Colborne Feline Initiative in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, knows the “Even after they are allowed out of their cise and interaction with humans, they usually advantages that a well-socialized kitten has. room, they still have access to that room as a do very well and socialize quickly,” she says. “Sometimes people say they are looking for safe place to run to if they get scared or un- Kittens who get along with other cats a certain type of kitten—a calico, tuxedo, or comfortable,” Schneller says. If a kitten hides or dogs are especially desirable to adopt- tabby—but they are often swayed by another outside his room or cage, fosterers suggest ers. Vicary notes that the transition into a kitten, the one that approaches them first in enticing him with a wand toy or food on a new home is easier for such kittens and less an inquisitive, friendly manner,” she says. spoon rather than dragging or flushing him stressful for adopters’ pets. Foster parents Kittens may initially be shy or scared out of a hiding place, which may traumatize should make sure that adopters get good in- when visitors come, so it’s best to bring peo- him and cause him to bite or scratch. formation on how to introduce kittens to the ple into the fosters’ room. If the kittens are people and animals in their households; an out and about in other areas of the house, Meeting the Rest of the Family unsuccessful meeting can sometimes mean a it’s easier for them to scatter and hide. In the Marault household, as soon as kit- returned kitten. People may seem less scary if they sit on tens show signs of wanting to be integrated, Donna Mlinek has fostered only one kit- the floor or a chair rather than looming over they’re allowed to and encouraged to. “It’s ten due to her husband’s allergies, but got the kittens. “Let [the kitten] hear and observe important that they learn to be confident more than her fair share of kitty wisdom newcomers, and don’t rush handing him over around other animals, and hopefully playful when she served as feline program manager to them,” says Fairclough. She advises letting and interactive with them, because it makes for the Dumb Friends League in Denver. She kittens do the approaching and handing visi- life more fun for them all, and odds are there cautions against introducing fosters to owned tors a wand toy to break the ice. will be pets in their adoptive home,” he says. pets unless you know the animals are good Ruggiero’s grandchildren handle and play Lori Riccio, who fosters for The Woburn with kittens and won’t hurt or frighten them. with fosters so kittens learn to be comfort- Feral Cat Coalition in Woburn, Mass., spends She advises letting the kitten decide to ap- able with kids. “Children are totally different at least an hour with her kittens in the morning proach, leave, escape, or hide. from adults as far as noises and quickness of and evening on workdays and more time on Rather than trying to control a scared movement,” says Ruggiero. “So kittens need

weekends. “As long as they have enough exer- kitten and risk being scratched or bitten, it’s to see that side of humans also.” THIS PAGE: DAVID MORRIS. PAUL OPPOSITE PAGE: NANCY PETERSON

54 ANIMAL SHELTERING JULY/AUGUST 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG [behavior department]

The Soft Touch them in a blanket and strokes them with a By pairing food with human presence, foster- soft brush to mimic the soothing sensation of Resources ers can help kittens learn to associate people being groomed by a mother cat. “However, Free tip sheets from The Humane with good things. when a kitten is focused on play, don’t force Society of the United States can Mlinek suggests that fosterers prac- him to be held, or he will look at cuddling as help prevent and resolve normal cat tice—at different times—gently scruffing a game where he needs to ‘get away’ from behavior and make great handouts kittens, squeezing their feet, cradling them, you,” she warns. (humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips). pulling their lips back and touching their teeth, In a litter of kittens, don’t allow the dom- and handling their ears and tails while the kit- inant ones to become bullies. And don’t ne- The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago tens suck on a syringe filled with baby food or glect your wallflower kittens—give them all sought input from its fosterers for its diluted kitten food. This also conditions kittens equal time, says Fairclough. “You will natu- excellent Foster Volunteer Manual, to being handled for medicating and being ex- rally gravitate toward the kitten that is more available at bit.ly/io2QJ9. amined by veterinary staff, she says. comfortable and social, but don’t forget to Schneller and McCall hold, hug, and spend quality time with your shy or scared The San Francisco SPCA has an exten- handle kittens a lot—especially their paws, kitten,” she says. Giving a shy kitten some sive guide to fostering (bit.ly/jwkHpL). ears, and mouth. They sit nearby and gently time away from his siblings allows you to pet the kittens while they’re focused on work with him without distractions, and can eating. They pick them up for a short time give him confidence, she notes. gently touches him until he relaxes. She notes when the kittens finish eating, and, once they Wrapping scared kittens in a soft towel that having the TV on low volume, as well as can hold a kitten, they do so briefly several can help them relax. Fairclough faces the kit- the radio and CD player, exposes kittens to nor- times a day. ten away from her. “Looking directly at him mal sounds they’ll encounter down the road. Bundas puts baby food on a spoon— can be threatening. He’ll look up at you when Handling isn’t just about direct touch— rather than a finger, so that kittens don’t he’s ready, and soon you’ll become his friend, you can do your kittens a great favor by get- learn to think of fingers as food—and lures comfort, and food source,” she says. When a ting them accustomed to wearing a collar and kittens to come get in her lap, where she kitten is frightened and prefers to hide and not tags early in life. Letting them get used to the talks to and pets them as they eat. be held, Riccio knows she’ll need to make more sensation will help discourage them from “I’m big on kissing their little heads at an time for him. She also wraps a scared kitten trying to take off their collar later on in their early age so they become comfortable with and only exposes his head so he feels more se- adoptive homes. closeness,” says Fairclough. She also cuddles cure and can’t escape. While watching TV, she Time to Play, Things to Scratch, Food to Munch Fosterers also teach kittens to play nicely. Using a wand toy works well; it keeps your hands far from sharp kitten teeth and nails. Schneller and McCall never use their hands or any toy that resembles hands and also stop playing when kittens get rough. They say they usually find that siblings and playmates are great to teach kittens to play nicely. Fairclough never plays roughly or too energetically; that can cause playtime to get out of hand, and roughness can become an issue. If a kitten bites her, she redirects him to a toy. If he continues to nip, she stops playing and walks away. Marault encourages rowdy kittens to play gently. “If they play too rough, biting and scratching, we whimper and draw back until the kitten understands he’s caused pain, which is usually not their intent at Keeping kittens confined in their own space early on, or during portions of the day, is a all,” he says. better strategy than allowing them to “free range” in the fosterer’s home. There are far Scratching objects is normal behavior, fewer hiding spots where they can get stuck, and they can’t stray too far from the litter and kittens start early, so teaching them to box. Nancy Peterson of The HSUS put her foster kittens in the laundry room of her home at bedtime. scratch appropriately is another important

JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 55 [behavior department] job. Schneller and McCall make sure there an upset stomach if an adopter changes food. carrier a few days before a car ride and place are plenty of scratching items available. If a Ross always provides adopters with the food some familiar, well-liked objects inside. kitten scratches inappropriately, they distract her fosters have been eating so that any diet When transporting kittens, fosterers put a the kitten by clapping their hands or offering changes can be done gradually, and informs towel or something absorbent on the carrier’s a toy. When possible, they put enticing scents adopters if a kitten has any problems with a floor and bring extra bedding and cleanup on appropriate scratching items. particular type of food. materials in case the kittens have an accident. It’s not a good idea to hold a kitten’s Covering the floor with something soft that paws to teach him where to scratch. Dragging Transporting Kittens has the kittens’ scent on it may also serve as a wand toy near and on the scratching post Owners often mention their cats’ stress and a security blanket. Fosterers cover the carrier, or box will achieve the same objective with- fear and the difficulty of transporting them as except for the end facing them, with a towel out scaring him. Providing a stable scratching reasons for not taking their cat to the veteri- or sheet and place the carrier in the car so the post is important because kittens may be re- narian. Acclimating kittens to carriers makes kittens can see them. If possible, they secure luctant to return to one that has fallen over life easier for everyone, and can help ensure the carrier with a seat belt. Some fosterers and frightened them. that adopted kittens will get medical care play soft music, and others talk to their kittens. Cats are often portrayed as finicky when they need it. “We have found that some kittens like classical eaters—and some are. Schlueter warns To get kittens used to carriers, Schneller music,” Gallagher says, “and almost none want that kittens tend to fixate on the food they and McCall prop open the carrier door, put any rock ’n’ roll.” are used to. Feeding a variety of flavors something soft on the bottom, and place a and textures ensures a cat with a more toy inside so kittens can explore and play in, Sending Them Home varied palate who will more easily adjust to around, and on the carrier. That way the car- Gallagher and her husband work on a sched- whatever diet his adopter prefers in the new rier becomes familiar, not just a scary thing ule so fosters are ready to return to the home, she says. that appears when it’s time to go somewhere. shelter when they weigh just more than 2 Many organizations, like the one Foley Marault leaves carriers out so kittens can hide pounds. “At that point, we hug them and fosters for, rely on food donations. She mixes out and nap in them and not be afraid of write up a profile so the potential families can three kinds of dry food so kittens don’t get them later. Bundas and Gaul bring out the read about the kittens they are looking at and learn what personality it has and what it likes and is used to,” Gallagher says. It’s in a kitten’s best interest to have a profile, even if your organization doesn’t re- quire it, Fairclough says. She recommends that fosterers be truthful when sharing their kittens’ personalities with the organization’s staff. “If you portray a kitten as outgoing and he is not, the adoption could fail.” Lynn Campisano, who fosters for HopeOhio in Columbus, Ohio, cautions adopters that kittens will need time to warm up, come out, and feel safe. She tells adopt- ers that two weeks seems to be the magic number for kitties, so adopters shouldn’t go home and expect the kitten to be cuddly right away. Patience is key. Giving up kittens they’ve raised is dif- ficult even for longtime fosterers, but Fairclough says the separation pangs are worth it. “As hard as it can be to give them up, I know that I have given these little ones a good start in life, and I can now open my home to the next little ones deserving the same chance.”

Nancy Peterson is the cat programs manager at The Humane Society of the United States. She recently fostered her first litter of kittens.

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JOIN US IN JULY FOR TAKING ACTION FOR ANIMALS! HUMANESOCIETY.ORG/TAFA 59 off leash Going Mobile New smartphone app lets people connect with a Kansas City shelter wherever they go

BY JIM BAKER

eyes. She said, ‘This is the one.’ It’s amazing that it would happen on a 4-inch screen, but it did. She stopped in her tracks and said, ‘I have to meet this dog.’” Using her smartphone, Svoboda, who has administrative access to the application, put a hold on the dog right then. Two days later, Reynolds, who lives in Topeka, drove 60 miles to the shelter to adopt her new dog. The interaction—and the resulting adoption—went exactly as shelter staff and the app developers had hoped. Having real-time information about adoptable pets The smartphone app allows visitors to on a mobile device, Svoboda was able to access online content even when they’re not around their computers. use a random moment to help forge an in- stant connection. That opportunity would likely have been Since nearly 75 percent of people who lost if not for the new app, which Wayside come to Wayside Waifs to adopt an animal Waifs launched last winter. If Svoboda had visit the shelter’s website first, Svoboda says, Nick the dog found a new home when Marla simply suggested that her friend go home and staff members want them to be able to ac- Svoboda, vice president of marketing and check out the adoptable pets on the shelter’s cess the online content even if they’re not development for Wayside Waifs, showed her friend Marsha Reynolds (right) some website, the idea might have been put on a around their computers. The goal is three- of the shelter’s adoptable pets on a new back burner. “It was during the Christmas fold: increase adoptions; promote aware- smartphone app. holidays, I was busy, and chances are that I ness of the shelter and its mission; and would not have gone home [and checked the attract donations. Marsha Reynolds wasn’t ready to adopt. website],” Reynolds says. The app, which is free to download, She’d lost her old dog Henry, who was The app, which cost about $6,000 and works with all smartphone platforms, in- more than 17, not long ago, and she was still took six months to develop, offers more than cluding iPhone, Blackberry, and Android. grieving. But that didn’t stop her longtime a constantly updated stream of photos and (At press time, the app had been down- friend Marla Svoboda from keeping an eye details of adoptable pets. It features almost loaded more than 2,000 times.) There are out for a potential furry friend. all the content and functionality of the shel- no other nonprofits in the Kansas City area Svoboda’s job as vice president of ter’s website, optimized for a small screen. that have anything like it, according to development and marketing for Wayside “It’s the best pieces of their site, in an app Svoboda and Jacobsen. Waifs, an animal shelter in Kansas City, environment that makes it totally friendly to Reynolds, meanwhile, is thrilled with Mo., keeps sweet, furry faces in her view the mobile phone user,” says Eric Jacobsen, the pup—now called Nick—she found. all the time. But when she whipped out her vice president of media development for “He’s wilder than a March hare,” she says, smartphone at lunch to show her friend the Ascend Integrated Media. The Overland Park, laughing. “My goodness, you have no idea. shelter’s new adoption application (or “app,” Kan.-based company worked with Wayside And he’s just changed my whole life. Half software designed for handheld devices and Waifs to develop the app. the time I’m going nuts, and half the time mobile phones), Reynolds saw through the People can use the app to learn about the I’m looking at him thinking, ‘I don’t know bells and whistles. shelter’s adoption process, so they know what how I ever got along without you.’” “I said, ‘Look at our cool, new app. It to expect when they come to look for a pet. does this, and it does this, and you can even They can find out about volunteer opportunities, To download the app, go to wayside.mwap.at donate. You want to look at some animals?’” explore the services the shelter offers, follow on your mobile browser, or search for Svoboda recalls. “She was just window shop- Wayside Waifs on Twitter, read updated blog “Wayside Waifs” in your app store. And let us ping, and she looked at a little dog whose posts, donate money right from their phones— know if your group is developing an app of

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