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FEATURES Moving on Up?
In resource-poor areas around the country and the globe, animals are boarding planes, trains, and automobiles in search of a better life. Their nomadic lives are part of an elaborate balancing act on the part of shelters and rescues to save as many animals as possible. But what happens to the homeless animals already living in the receiving community? Does the arrival of new animals lessen their chances for lifelong homes? Five representatives of local and national organizations explore these and other questions in a series of essays on animal transfer.
Opening the Door to New Understanding
Responding to the public’s misconceptions about admission and euthanasia policies, two Pittsburgh shelters collaborated on an educational campaign. The resulting website conveys the stark reality of the flood of animals still entering shelters in many areas of the country.
DEPARTMENTS
Letterbox
Scoop
Coffee Break
When your work becomes overwhelming and you start to burn out, how do you regain a positive attitude and find the strength to continue? That’s the question we asked, and you responded with all sorts of mood-improving methods—from seeing friends to reading a good book to spending time with animals.
Creature Feature
They may look like little dinosaurs, but these scaly guys are still in existence—and may turn up at your shelter in need of care. And boy, are they picky! We provide some basic guidelines for housing, feeding, and adoption requirements.
Commentary
The executive director of a New Hampshire shelter talks about why shelter workers should care about what—and whom—they eat.
The “101” Department
As an accompaniment to our feature section on animal transfer, veterinarian Jan Scarlett provides tips on moving animals to their new destinations safely.
Q & A
Nina Natelson of Concern for Helping Animals in Israel (CHAI) talks about everything from ending mass strychnine poisoning of dogs and cats to rescuing animals during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Shelter Medicine
Fundamental to maintaining a healthy shelter population is a system for examining all animals as soon as possible after intake. Veterinarian Lila Miller runs through the basics.
The Behavior Department
What do your adopters expect when they take home a kitty? And will they be unpleasantly surprised? Emily Weiss explains a new system for matching the right cats with the right people.
Off Leash
The volunteer room in a California shelter gets a makeover—and an appearance on local TV.
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