Community cats: If you’ve got them, Best Friends wants to help. They’ve written a book covering everything from the ABCs to the rocket science of community cat management, and they’re giving it away as a free download! Topics covered include: The history of the TNR movement The importance of leadership Who in your community is… Learn More
What’s your secret weapon in saving as many cats as possible from a shelter’s euthanasia list? Volunteers — trained volunteers. “When it comes to recruiting volunteers, we’ve learned a lot since we began our cat program in 2009,” said Dr. Frances Flower at the 2015 American Pets Alive! No-Kill Conference. “It’s definitely not an easy… Learn More
What happens when you mix a giant name in cat welfare and two leaders in sheltering and adoption? You get incredible resources like Alley Cat Allies‘ guide to fostering cats and kittens, written with Bonney Brown and Diane Blankenburg of Humane Network, who while at the Nevada Humane Society led a successful program that provided… Learn More
Is it time to put the term ‘foster failure’ to rest forever, and call the adoption of pets by their foster homes what it really is, a ‘foster win’? You bet, say experts at two of the country’s most successful pet foster programs. The dog foster program at Austin Pets Alive! is the largest in… Learn More
Do you avoid conflict? Do you hate to even think about it? If you do, and you work in an animal shelter, rescue group or animal welfare organization, you’re not alone. It may be time to change how you think about conflict. Conflict can actually strengthen relationships, increase creativity and lead to top-notch solutions. At… Learn More
Do you ever wonder why people foster pets? Sure, it’s because they want to help save a life, but there’s more. A lot more, as anyone who’s actually done it can tell you. And you can sum it up with a three-letter word you’ll hear a lot this time of year: joy. Topping the list… Learn More
Do you want to bring home some magic this holiday season? Want to experience the joy you remember from your childhood — and save a pet’s life at the same time? Here’s how: Foster a homeless pet! Fostering doesn’t just give pets a place to lay their heads. Spending time in a home, with a… Learn More
Want to share the peanut butter love with your favorite dog during Peanut Butter Lovers Month? The dog lovers at Maddie’s Fund® have you covered! The first two come from Kim, our Maddie’s® Adoption Program Manager. “Kongs stuffed with peanut butter and plain Cheerios are a delicious treat for dogs,” she said. “If they get… Learn More
They’re the all-too-often unsung heroes of veterinary medicine, but we’re going to sing about them here. We’re talking about veterinary technicians, with a special chorus of gratitude for those who go into shelter medicine practice. Veterinary technicians assist in surgery, assess vitals, draw blood, comfort frightened patients, explain procedures to clients and do everything registered… Learn More
Does your animal organization want to save more cats? You don’t need a bigger shelter or more money, but you do need foster homes. How do you get them? How do you train them? How do you keep the ones you have, and get more? Austin Pets Alive! cat foster manager Ashley Ferry has answers… Learn More