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FEATURES
What Happens After “Happily Ever After”?
When the dog you’ve been nurturing for weeks finally leaves with a new family, how will you know if he’s truly found his fairytale ending? What if he has problems in the new home? What if his adopters don’t know what to do about them? Staff at the Michigan Humane Society were tired of the unknowns, and decided to get proactive about finding answers.
Opening Up
Inspired by a series of adoption perspectives published in Animal Sheltering last year, the director of shelter operations at the Kansas Humane Society explains how her organization’s placement policies have changed over the years, making the adoption process more pleasant for shelter staff and the public.
DEPARTMENTS
Letterbox
Scoop
Coffee Break
In your space, you told us about some of the funniest questions you’ve been asked by members of the public. (We had to control our snorting.)
Creature Feature
Raced like machines and not even considered “dogs” by some states, racing greyhounds fall in a grey area between what is ethical and what keeps crowds betting. And when the dogs retire, shelters and rescues shoulder the burden.
The “101” Department
Having trouble with your board of directors? You will be—if you follow these tips! Make meetings zestier by taking our suggestions for surefire self-destruction … It’s our first How Not To article.
Shelter Medicine
Caring for animals, shelter staff must seek a precarious balance, working to save more lives without sacrificing quality care. Veterinarian Lila Miller is concerned about the conditions she’s seen at some shelters. She talks about how the “Five Freedoms” can serve as a guide for maintaining quality of life for shelter animals.
The Behavior Department
New adopters don’t always understand the jargon counselors use when describing a dog’s personality and behavior issues. Communication about the kind of home he’ll need can turn into an unfortunate game of “telephone.” Here’s how to make sure your messages don’t get lost in translation.
Off Leash
You can’t drown love. That’s what three women learned from one Katrina survivor, a goofy black Lab who’s finally on his way back home.
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